The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-08-24
RUSSIANS HASTEN NORTH
General StakeIberg Reported Cut
Off From Centre.
COUNT KELLER KILLEDlN BATTLE
simucheu Said to Be In the Hands Of this
Japs and One of Kuropatkin's Strong
est Divisions Split From Main Army
Retreat OF Cars Troops Toward Muk-
den Practically a D%isorderly Flight.

Toxic. Japan. Despite strict silence
on the part of the War Office, the re-
port became known here that the jap
anese. in a severe engagement, lasting
two days. occupied Simuchen, on the
Fungwan-Haichen road, thus cutting
off Lieutenant-General Baron Stakel-
berg, ut the head Of one Of General
Kuropatkin's strongest divisions, from
the centre Of the Russian army.
1t is reported the Mikado's troops
practically have insured the capture of
General Stakelberg's forces, and that
it is likely that will be achieved with.
out large Japanese loss. General Sta
kelberg practically is in q corner in
consequence Of the japanese success
at that point. No matter which way
he may attempt to retreat he is sure to
be confronted by strong Japanese
forces and forced to surrender or ac-
cept battle under conditions disadvan-
tageouS to him.
It also is reported here thu Russians
uHuSI HcDtlu lNulOtlltNlh "lC III Ipih
Aight northeastward. The inference is
the Russian commauder-in-chief hopes
to escape to Mukden, whence lie eI-
poets to- maintain communication with
Hardin.
It is regarded as impossible he can
get 50 far. because one Of General Ku.
roki's columns is operating between
Liau Yang and Mukden. and there is a
possibility the flying division OF picked
troops sent from General Kurokfs'
army several weeks ago to strike west
Of the railroad and attack Liau Yang
from the northwest already has crossed
the %peninsular railway.
If the railroad is cut above Liau
Yang that will stop General kuropat-
kin's retreat, and the Russians will be
forced to surrender or to accept a gen.
eral engagement. There now remains
little doubt what the outcome of an ez-
tended battle between General kurop-
atkin and Generals Kuroki, Oku and
Nodzu would be.
News of the killing of Lieutenant
General Count Keller in the fighting
at Yangze was received here. The
Russian general. on whom General Ku-
ropatkin placed great reliance, was
struck by a piece of shell and died in
less than a half hour. He was the first
general officer of the Russian army to-
lose his life in this war.
The War Office refused to make any
announcement in resp ct of Port Ar
thur. All sorts of rumors continue to-
come here from Chefoo, Shanghai and
other dubious g ,urces, but no confirma-
ton Of any of them is given out by the
officials.
Credence is given to the dispatches
from Shanhaikwan, at which Fort mer-
chant vessels arrive daily after passing
the Laothie Promontory, we'll outside
the four-mi!e limit. and the lower west
coast of the Liaotung Peninsula, par
ticularly Pigeon Bay.
Stories of the Japanese advance over
Table Hill and the persistent Smelling
Of the Russian Notifications from the
land side. as we'll as by Vice-Admiral
Togs's fleet. while not permitted to be
published here, circulate privately, and
are believed.
There is q general understanding
among foreigners and natives in Toxic
that important operations are in pro-
gress at Port Arthur. and that news Of
the fall of the fortress may lie received
at any hour.