New-York tribune., 1904-08-31
RUSSIANS HOLDING OUT.
Attacks on FIanks Reported Re
puLsed-Tke Losses Great.

St Petersburg. Aug. 3O-A dispatch from
Moukden of to-days date says that in the stub
bornly fought battle which has been going on
near Liao-Yang since this morning all attempts
of the japanese to turn the Russian flank have
been repulsed. It is said at Moukden that the
japanese lost more than ten guns, but details
had not been received there.
The latest kilograms from the front say that
the Japanese have !, 200 guns near Liao-Yang.
Several telegraus not yet made public from
General Sakharon were received during the day
and forwarded to the Emperor.
One dispatch from General sakharoff, dated
Liao-Yang at 10 3. m to-day. says:
The main japanese attack is being directed
against the Russian centre and right, where
The Russian losses have been the heaviest
The japanese posted numerous guns within
range Of all the Russian positions during the
night. a hot fire opened at . a. m, ana by
o O'Clock the japanese were close to the Rus
sian positions.
ble losses on our troops at several points. Lieu
tenant Colonel PokatilOh, commanding bat
tery of the Sixth East Siberian Brigade, was
killed.
The Japanese are delivering an obstinate at
tack on cur centre and at o'clock this MORN
ing they were in close proximity TO our advance
guard.
General sakharod also reports that a large
Japanese force is advancing northward along
the Tai-Tsu River Valley, west of the railroad.
Other reports received by the War Office in
dicate that the battle will probably last for
several DAYS. The japanese are directing their
energies to bombarding segments OF the circle
Of defensive positions. The Russians already
have suffered heavily from the hail Of shells
The Russian cavalry a notable success
west Of Liao-Yang. repulsing the japanese ad-
vance from that direction. This was-the first
time the Russian cavalry had an opportunity to
charge the japanese on open ground since the
war began.
In a brief telegram received this morning Gen
erai Kuropatkin says the general advance of
the Japanese began yesterday at noon, the Rus
sian outposts falling back upon the main lines.
The heaviest fighting Was taking place when his
dispatch was sent, at a point ten miles south
east Of Yang, where the J panese seemed
TO be concentrating for their main blow. The
Russians suffered principally from The shrapnel
fire Of the japanese artillery.
The Japanese selected their Emperor's birth
day for the decisive battle, and It will not be
surprising if to-day is also sgnalized by a grand
assault on Port Arthur.
The Russian forces are disposed al Lao Yang
TO meet the onslaught of the three japanese
armies. The telegram from General Kuropatkiri
which gives this information, and also the de-
tails of the retirement of the Russian troops
upon Liao-Yang have not been given out, for
strategic reasons. The combined armies of
Generals Kuroki, Oku and Nodzu probably ex-
ceed two hundred thousand men. Their forces
are considerably superior in numbers to General
\ Kuropatkin's but the Russian commander in
j chief probably relies upon the strength and
character Of his position 10 overcome the dis
parity in numbers.
The cavalry which prevented the turning OF
the Russian right flank Sunday had to op-
crate in the fields of Chinese corn. which was
above the heads OF the riders
One OF General Sakharoff's reports also an.
nounces an engagement between Russian force
and 100 Chinese bandits Of whom about fifty
were killed.