The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-08-07
ON EVE OF
BIG BATTLE
Lull PrecedeS a Derper ate
Engagement.
RUSSIANS ARE PREPARED
Positions Around Lia0yang
Are Very Strong.
Kutr0patIin Has 100000 Men and the
Country Makes 1t Dihicult at At
tack-First Fight Expected at
Anshanshan.
RUSSIANS ARE PREPARED

st Petersburg, Aug 6.-General
Kutropatkin's report of small shifting
movements by the Japense, with a
single unimportant skirmish, bringing
the military situation to August 4, is
Just about what was expected by the
authorities here.
1t is believed, however, that the lull
in fighting has lasted about as long
as possible and that the forces around
Liaoyang are now on the eve of a des-
perate engagement. The pause of the
last few days os believe to have been
long enough to enable the japanese to
assume their formation, bring up sup
plies and make ready for a grand as
sault upon the powerful positions
girding Liaoyang. and a great battle
Is hourly expected to occur.
An issue of such importance momen-
tarily eclipses interest in the seige of
Port Arthur. The fate of the latter
place is not likely to have influence
In the immediate destinies of the cam
paign, but Liaoyang is closely tied up
with the fortunes of the whole war.
The loss of such a position with its
vast accumulation of stores. would I'm
mediately and perhaps irreparably en-
danger the Russian position in Man.
churia-
Confidence I'm Russia.
The military authorities do not en-
terrain the slightest doubt of General
Kuropatkin's ability to repulsse an at
tempt to capture or cut off Liaoyang.
The defense there has an immense adj
vantage. operating within the small
radius of twenty miles, thus enabling
General Kuropatkin to reinforce
promptly any weak point.
The army at his disposal is estima-
ted at $50 battallions. besides cavalry
and artillery, altogether not far short
of 100000 men. Only the third of this
force was engaged IN the fighting of
July 30, 81 and August /. The pick of
Kuropatkin's troops. the newly ar
rived Europern regiment are stationed
at Anping and Anshanshan. where the
hardest contest is expected. Some OF
these regiments were raisd two hundrd
years ago and have great war records
Officers acquainted with the men
declare ttst the logged tenacity dis
played at Yushu pass and Manga pass
have become only more fierce and I'M
Welding under the reverses met by
the troops.
Scene of First Fight.
Experts at the war ONCE are discuss
ing the probable course of the impend-
ing operations. They say that the
Japanese will try to capture either An
ming or Anshanshan. whence they will
be able to strike Liaoyang. and think
1t more likely that Anshanshan will
be selected, as that place Is in the line
NJ advance of General Soku's and Nod
gus armies and must be captured be-
fore an attempt is made to flank Lao
yang from the westward
. The Russian position at Anshan-
shan Is as strong as that at Kinchou.
It's consist of a ctpitous barrier ff-
teen miles long. TANKER on the west by
n river and a marsh on the west by
level plain and is impossible of ap-
proach by infantry from either side.
The only weak spot is to the east
where the Japanese may mount heavy
guns with a longer range than the
Russian pieces, and pour in a flank
ing fire. 1t Is thought more propaple'
however. that General Nodzu will try
10 cut in between Anshanshan and
JJandiansian and cut off the former
places from Liaoyang, but an attempt
70 do this would be sure to entail
terrific fight with the supports sent
cut by General Kuropatkin.
No News From StOessel.
The diminished interest in the Port
Arthur situation in view of the vaster
improtance of Liaoyang is due is some
measure to the complete absence OF
official news from Lieutenant General
Stoessel Commander at Port Arthur
and from Rear Admiral Without Gin
command of the Port Arthur naval
forces.)
The persistent reports from Cheroo
that the japanese have captured two
commanding positions near Port Ar
thur does not receive general credence,
IT being pointed out that the battle
ships Retvizan's big guns would be
able TO shell a besieger's battery with
out danger to the ship and that the
Japanese guns are too far away. The
naval guns of modern design are prov
ing TO be of the highest value, and
FOR this reason the squadron will
probably not attempt to leave Port
Arthur unless the fall of the fortress
ebouId become imminent. Another
reason for its remaining is that its de-
narture would have a depressing effect
on the garrison.