Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-09

Sam-Tio before daybreak on September i.
AS we waited bayonet was poked from
among the bags as sign OF surrender.
This was followed by six others, which
were handed clear, and the bags were then
removed. Slowly the Russians emerged
into the sunlight after being pent up twen-
ty- seven hours, staring duly at the circle
of wondering faces around them. OF the
seven men four were badly wounded. 1t
was pathetic to watch how tenderly they
were helped by one Cossack wearing the
red cross.
In Sight of Liaoyang.
Now it is evident this line of five hills
was but the first of three lines of de-
lenses of Liaoyang, which city was seen In
the distance. All day the first Japanese
army advanced but little, Smelling and being
shelled ty the Russian batteries on ridges
three miles south of the city. 1t was evil
dent that renewal of Gen. Kuroki's flank
ing movement had failed, while the dis
patch of the 10th division to reinforce him
indicated that the Russians held him WELL.
Throughout September there was con-
tiEued firing by the advanced Japanese in
fGntry, who took more ridges in a twilight
attack This apparently made little differ
cree in the situation, for the Russian de-
Tense of the third position was magnificent
and the non-arrival of General Kuroki sert-
ously affected the japanese.
Staff reports to correspondents are
meager and obviously untrue, speaking OF
the panic stricken enemy" while
matter of fact the Japanese were absolute
ly held at bay by the admirable Russian
batteries The Russian settlement at Lao
yang, outside the city wall to the south
west is grouped round the railway station
and protected in a manner to excite the
highest praise of engineer experts. This
position of affairs lasted two full days, the
Japanese artillery and infantry fire SEEM
ing to have no effect on the devoted Rus
Sometimes a Russian ha
terry seemed to be silenced, all thinking of
the beginning of a disaster. but soon 1t
broke out again with salvos Of great ef-
feet.
From their redoubt the Russian infantry
poured upon the Japanese waiting in the
trenches a terrible fire every few minutes
From time to time the Japanese charged
forward, only to be hung back, decimateo
by hail of bullets.
Burning the Station.
This awful carnage persisted through
September and and into the morning
of September 4, before noon Of which flames
shot up from the railway building and
spread with awful rapidity. belching great
columns of smoke, which hid even the cele-
brated pagoda But even from the smoke,
the Russian batteries hurled death at the
enemy. Yet the Japanese infantry was
creeping on. steadily nearer, while in the
| Russian lines the fire seemed to slacken as
| the day declined Never was there a more
magnificent battle picture than the great
Main made as the sinking sun was buried
amid flames and the roar of guns. Dark
| ness fell and the Russian batteries were ST.
fenced, though from the CITY came the drop
| Ming Of rife fire. The correspondents were
then told the Japanese were inside the city
| and street fightings was going on with a
| handful of Russian infantry left there.
| Late at night the city fell. The japanese
/
| WITH cornses. Past Quilted buildings they
entered a rified city. The Russian retreat
| must have been orderly In the extreme, for
| nothing was left Provisions and railway
material had been taken away. A high
| British officer said to me: Il believe now
| that the strategy of this war has just be-
| gun"
Heavy Losses on Both Sides.
| The Japanese casualties on conserva-
| tive estimate are 1000; those of the Rus.
SLAMS. 10000 The Japanese army must re-
main at Liaoyang a month for supplies
| ammunition and rest for the exhausted
| men while the Russians retreat upon
| new base The Japanese scheme has failed
| in its essential point, for the Russians mus
| have STONED General Kuroki and | an
| informed that Russian forces are passne
| through Mukden for Hardin, implying Gen
| eral Kuropa tkins intention not to resum,
fighting This was his intention, at al
events, for the last fortnight, 1t goes t.
| prove that General Knropatkin has de
layed the Japanese advance with a smalle
| force and inflicted awful damage, Will,
| Japan gets two locomotives four guns, fif
teen prisoners and Is already finding he
difficulties increasing.