New-York tribune., 1904-09-09
A GREAT ARTILLERY DUEL.
Hundreds Of Cams in the Fight t
Lao Yang.

General hurokis Headquarters, Aug. ~, via
Fusan, Sept. S.-The artillery battle which thun-
dered before Lao-Yang to-day from early morn
ing until darkness hid foe from foe was
certainly of the most stupendous and spec
tacuar of history. The combined armies or
Japan, with the exception of part Of the force
under CeneBal Kuroki, concentrated their bat
teries against thu Russian lines under General
Kuropatkin, ard several hundred guns, rob
ably not less than three hundred each side.
were worked necessarily for twelve hours. Even
after nightfail and in the driving storm OF wind
and rain that swept over ;he field of battle the
conflict did not cease entirely. for Russian shells
are tonight bursting over the hills before the
Japanese positions.
Not alone the number Of guns in action, but
their unceasing and rapid fire. made the conflict
of to-day remarkable. For several hours the
cannonadng averaged sixfy shots minute and
the rate seldom fell below twenty shots a minute.
From a high mountain almost over the nearest
Russian batteries the foreign attaches and news
paper correspondents with General Kuroki's
army had a view of fighting which probably
never will be surpassed.
Iiao-Yang. r small Chinese walled city. with
a gray pagoda towering from its centre, stands
on the southern bank of the Tai-Tse River The
observers noted the yellow roofs OF military
storehouses on the outskirts of tho city From
the city the river sweeps in broad curve TO
tho southeast road and then takes turn 10
the north. To the northwest there extends a
great plain. while TO the east and south, range
upon range, are the mountains through which
the japanese armies advanced.
\ HORSESHOE OF RUSSIAN GUNS.
Some of the Russian guns were aligned in an
almost unbroken horseshoe around the plain TO
the south and east OF Lao Yang others were
posted about five miles from the city: stin
other detached batteries were facing the west
from group of hills on the extreme Russian
right. while another range Of hills behind the
city facing the east bank Of the river, furnished
positions for the Russian batteries, protecting
the railroad and the rear Of the army.
The japanese guns in the mountains formed
an irregular arc twenty miles or more in length.
While the landscap pc, viewed from the eleva-
tion where the correspondents and foreign at
taches had taken their positions, appeared to be
modelled broad lines, in reality the country is
irregular. with many hills and ravines and much
rolling plain, all OF which affected the strategic
disposition OF the contending forces Looking
down on SO vast a scene OF operations with
many batteries participating, 1t was often I'M
possible discern the details of positions or
what units were opposed TO each other.
In some places the Russian guns appeared 10
be arranged III fl6rS, TWO or Inree batteries ne
ing placed one above the other. The whole Rus
sian front was bordered with twinklng lights.
the flashes from the guns. Much OF the artillery
was in skilfuIly covered positions and absolutely
smokeless powder was used. Clusters of white
shrapnel smoke broke out htfully around some
japanese positions in the mountains and then
drifted slowly away, showing that often two or
three batteries on either side pitted against
one another.
A CONTINUOUS RUMBLE OF THUNDER
The nearer ridges OF the mountains and the
edge Of the plain were constantly dotted with
sudden flashes Of white smoke from exploding
shells. and the sound that came to the ears OF
the observers continuous rumble of
thunder varied by SUGGESTIONS Of sharp peals. as
two or three batteries united and fired together.
Throughout the day the positions of the oppos-
ing forces were little changed. and at nightfall
the honors appeared to be even
The japanese infantry. which was massed be-
hind the hills, was often under seere fire, espe-
cialiy when the Russians discei.. Led regiments
advancing from point to another. There
was some infantry fighting on the hills border
ing the plain.
Bodies of Russian troops. could be seen march
ing about Liao-Yang with the appearance of
great activity and one Russian column COM
posed of several regiments of cavalry moved
out TO the left Of the Russian rear. as though to
protect the retreat Of the main body. Trains
could be seen gteaming out OF Liao-Yang to the
north every half hour during the day.