davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
WALTER WELLMAN TAKEN TO TASK
FOR COLORADO MIME WAR LETTERS


ton ostensibly for said paper. but in
reality for political campaign pur-
poses: and.
Whereas, Said Wellman has seen
fit, in the interest of his employers,
10 suppress the facts and attempt to
confuse the minds of the American
people as to the principal questions at
issue in that bleeding state; and,
Whereas, Said Wellman also at
tempts very ingeniously and with tre-
mendous ability to divide the labor
movement of that state particularly.
and of all other states generally. as
TO the responsibility for its present
and immediate past condition; and.
Whereas. Said Wellman boldly
charges President Charles H. Meyer
and Secretary William Haywood of
the Western Federation of Miners with
the moral responsibility of all that
has transpired and offers to convict
them before a jury composed of the
leaders of the decent. honorable or
ganizatiOns of the country" therefore,
be ii
Resolved. That we call this bluff and
demand that w. Wellman and his EN-
plOyers Immediately make good before
the political campaign is on.
Resolved. That we invite these ac-
cusers of organized labor to select a
| jury of u prominent men from the la
| Dor organizations of the country.
Resolver. That the Chicago Fedora
tion of Labor will pay the hall rent for
| said jury trial. and. notwithstanding
a jury selected by themselves, We chal
| lenge them TO prove the charges.
| E. y. NOCKELS,
| Secretary Chicago Federation of Labor
Approved:
T. P. QUINN.
JAMES O'CONNOR,
T. F. KENNEDY.
Resolutions Committee.
WeIlman's Reply.
Washington. Sept. !. 1904
E. y. NockeIs. Secretary.
My Dear Sir: Your letter transmit
ting copy of resolutions adopted b.
the Chicago Federation of Labor ha
been received.
You say: We frankly state 10 yoI
that We shall question your integrit,
unless you accept our proposition an
: make good your charges.
The charges which | made agains
the leaders of the Western FederatiO
of Miners have already been mad
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
CONTEST ON THE
CONGRESS NOMINEE
Secretary of State Orders Hearing by
the County Clerks of the Four
teenth District.

Springfield, H. Oct. Especial to
The Argus D-Secretary of State Rose
today issued an order to the county
clerks of Rock Island, Warren. Han
cock, Henderson. McDonough and
Mercer counties. comprising the Four
teenth congressional district, directing
them 70 meet at = p. m. Monday, Oct.
II, at Macomb, and decide whether the
nominees of the regular or Looney
factions Of the democratic party in
! that district for congress and member
of the state board of equalization are
the regular nominees Of the party.
4 certificate signed by J. p. LOoney
of Rock Island, chairman, is OH file in
the office of the secretary Of state GER
tifying that the democratic convention
nominated !. +. Dindinger Of Rock Isl
and for congress and W. A. Compton
Of Macomb for member Of the state
/ board Of equalization, while another
| certificate is on file signed by John F.
| Scott. chairman, certifying that at a
convention held at Bushnell. Oct. 8,
| David w Matthews Of Milan, Rock
| Island county. was nominated for con
gress and F. NJ. Guthrie of Viola. Mer.
| Ger county, for member Of the state
! board Of equalization. and protesting
that the other convention was not reg
ular
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
Virtually Decide to Stop
the Fight in Wis
COnsin.
ROOSEVELT is BUSY
Gets Federal Office Holders in
Line for Sake of Ma
tiOnaI Ticket.

Milwaukee, Wis, Oct. 11.-Before
the week is ended it is probable that
the stalwart ticket. headed by eXGov.
Edward Scofield. will have been with
drawn, and that the gubernatorial fight
will have narrowed down TO Gov. La
Toilette and his democratic opponent
ex-GOv. George w. Peck
Senators John c. Spooner and J. V.
Quarles are ready to pull down the
ticket and give La Toilette Il clear
field. In the stand they are supported
by all the federal ofIicehoiders and
congressman of the state. The stall
wart state central committee. Z. l..
Philip. and eX-Gov. Scofield. as well
as many of the rank and file of the
faction. are against pulling off and
want TO fight to a finish despite the
fact that they admit they cannot win.
RcoScvcIt Advises Submission.
AS the matter. stands it is safe to
predict that the ticket will come down.
1t is reported that President Roosevelt
and Chairman COrtelyou have taken a
hand in the fight and have advised the
stalwarts to yield in the interests of
the national ticket. 1t was pointed
ont. it is said. with the stalwart ticket
out of the way, the field for the ma
tional ticket is clear and nothing can
stop Roosevelt in Wisconsin. Taking
this view of the matter the senator's
and federal officials in Wisconsin are
ready to give up.
The question was fully discussed at
an informal conference held during
yesterday between such leaders as re
mained over after the funeral of II. c
Payne. Senators SpoOner and Quarles,
Z. l.. Phillip, Congressman Minor,
Charles Quarles, Chairman GoIdin of
the state committee, and Gov. Scoficld
were prominent figures in the confer
ence. 1t was fully decided to call
formal meeting of the state central
committee for Wednesday. when the
question will be finally settled.
staIwnrts Meet with Revcrscs.
The Stalwart movement met with
serious revcrses during last week
which has led to the probable with.
drawal of the ticket First came Mr.
Payne's death, then the supreme court
decision. then the withdrawal of Cook,
then the loss Of Milwaukee county
then the recognition by the national
committee. and, finally, the demand of
the president to stop the fight.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
CHURCH BETRAYED
Mormon Leader Declares RepubIi-
cans Have Battered for Elec-
toraI Vote of Utah.
SIMILAR DEAL MADE IN SO
But Could Not Be Delivered - Ad-
dress at Meeting of Gen.
tiles.

Salt Lake, Utah, Oct. lin the
most remarkable speech ever deliver
ed in Utah, former Senator Frank Can
non, one of the most prominent Nor
mons in the country, declared that the
republican party leaders had entered
into a bargain with the heads of the
Mormon church whereby the electoral
vote of the state is to be delivered to
Roosevelt.
Cannon was the chief orator at a
meeting of the American party, which
has just been organized by republican
and democratic gentiles to oppose the
domination of the Mormon church in
the political and state affairs of Utah.
His speech has created panic in
Mormon circles. He said:
Failed TO Carry Out Bargain.
I'm 1896 a senator of the United
States came to Utah in behalf of the
republican party and bargained with
the ecclesiastical power for the deliv-
cry of the electoral vote of Utah and
surrounding states. 1t was impossible
to carry out the bargain at that time.
In 1900 another emissary from the
republican national party came to
Utah and made the same bargain for
the electoral vote. and the bargain
was executed and Utah, which four
years previously had given 81 900 pa-
jOrity for Bryan out of a total vote of
10000, turned over to the republican
party at ecclesiastical dictation.
bargains Repeated.
This year similar bargains have
been made. Before the death of the
lamented Hanna. President Roosevelt
became fearful that Senator Kearns
would take Hanna delegation to the
Chicago convention, and the bargain
was made by which if Senator Smoot
would take a Roosevelt delegation to
Chicago the Smoot investigation, then
appointed to be renewed at Salt Lake
City in the summer, would be post
pOned until after election. That bar
gain was carried ont at both ends.
Another NefariOus Bargain.
Since that time. and quite recently,
another emissary has appeared, prop
erly accredited from high authority at
Washington, who has bargained here
for the delivery of the electoral vote
of this state to the Roosevelt ticket
and the chairman of the republican
party of Utah boasts that he will get
two Mormon democrats to vote that
ticket for every republican gentle who
joins the American party. And this
is the way they will attempt to carry
out this nefarious trade"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11

good to the satisfaction of nine-tenths
of the people and press.
For the Chicago Federation of Labor
have great respect, but l certainly
shall not take up the Colorado Ques-
tion again under the auspices of an
organization whose officers so far for
get themselves as to approach me with
an offensive threat If you or anyone
else wish to question my integrity"
you are quite welcome to do SO.
Sincerely yours.
(Signed) WALTER WELLMAN.
FederntiOn'S Reply.
Mr.. Walter Wellman, Chicago Rec
rd-Herald.-Dear Sir: Yours of Sept.
l in reply to our demand that you
make good your charges published in
the Record-Herald against the officers
of the Western Federation of Miners.
received, and submitted to the Chicago
Federation of Labor at its session
Sept. 4; the result being that a com
mittee consisting of the undersigned
was appointed to answer you.
In your original charges published
in the Record-HeraId of Aug. II last
you said:
Hence, | arraign Charles II. Meyer
and William Haywood as the men who
are 10 be held morally responsible for
this crime against organized labor, this
offense against our civilization. And
/ offer TO convict them before a jury
composed of the leaders of the decent,
honorable labor organizations of the
country"
In good faith the Chicago Federation
of Labor. at its session Of Aug. q, ac-
cepted your challenge, though feeling
| that it was as it has turned out 10 be
a huge bluff for political or mercenary
purposes.
| We called upon YOU to select your
committee from the leaders of decent
| honorable labor organizations of the
country" and offered 10 pay the ex
pense of a hall for such trial But in
your reply of Sept. ! you say, The
charges have already been made good
TO the satisfaction Of nine-tenths o1
the people and the press
Now we submit that this is tbs
lanswer of a penny-a-liner of the frs
water. No self-respecting journals
with your reputation for ability can af
ford 10 attempt TO maintain such al
attitude when called upon 10 max
good charges of such a character d
you have made against men OF unques
? Continued on Page Six.)
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
JEWS IN CARS ARMY
ASK SOLDIERS RIGHTS
Petition Presented to New Minister OF
the interior in Behalf of 27,ooo
Hebrews.

ST. Petersburg, Oct. 1.-THE Jews
have petitiOned Prince SviatOpolk-
Mirsky, the minister Of the interior
TO extend the imperial ukase of Aug
"a, allowing the relatives Of Jewish
soldiers serving at the front to live
in any part of Russia, TO the families
OF such soldiers who are killed. The
petition claims that 27,0OG Jews are
now serving with the army in the far
east
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
Baby Dies Before Camera.

Macon. Mo, Oct. 11.-With her in.
fant in her arms, Mrs. AntOni Randio
entered a photograph gallery here yes
terday and sat for her picture. When
the camera man announced that the
photograph had been taken Mrs Ran.
do made the horrifying discovery that
her child had died in her arms.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
Federal Judge Refers to
Lynching of Horace
Naples.
LANGUAGE VIGOROUS
Duty to Return True Bills if
Color of Victim Fig
ured.

Huntsville. Ala, Oct. 11.-Judge
Thomas G. Jones, in opening the Unit
ed States court here today. delivered a
vigorous charge to the grand jury with
regard to the recent lyncing of Horace
Naples, colored. and the firing by a
mob of the Jail in which were confined
federal prisoners.
Points to Color Line.
Judge Jones said in part: ''If you
are fairly satisfied the mob would not
have murdered Naples if he had been
white man, then every dictate of hu-
manity and justice demands that you
return true bills against the members
of the mob
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
BABE BORN TWENTY
MINUTES is VACCINATED
Mother and Two Other Children III
With Smallpox in Hospital
at the Time.

Chicago, Oct. 11.-Biinking and Won
dcring what all the excitement was
about, tiny baby. the first ever born
in the Isolation hospital, had her arm
scratched with vaccine point 20 min
utes after her birth. Mrs. Lizzie Nor
ris. the infants mother. and her two
other children were taken with small
poX Sept. % and removed TO the hos
Dital
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
SESSION BROUGHT TO CLOSE
Illinois w. C. T. U. End a Five Days
Meeting With Medal Contest.

Carbondale, H., Oct. 1.-THE an.
nuaI meeting of the Illinois Women 5
Christion Temperance Union yester,
day closed a session of five days at
Murphysboro. The diamond medal
was won by Allen Atchison of Upper
Alton. the only male contestant.
The new officers are:
President - Miss Marie d. Brehm,
Chicago.
Vice President-Mrs. Lucie B. Lying,
Peoria.
Corresponding Secretary-Mrs. Min
ME B. Herring, Evanston.
Recording Secretary-Mrs. L. Belle
Goodman, Campaign.
Treasurer-Miss Amelia Cram, Hills
bOrO.
AuditOr-Mrs. Ella s. Stewart.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11

endeavor to end the siege of Port Ar
thur
Whatever the explanation, it is ap-
parent from the hasty manner in which
the Japanese withdrew before the first
show of Russian strength. that their
recent ostentatious preparations for an
advance were largely bluff. The best
opinion here is that the impending bat
tie is likely TO develop with startling
rapidity.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
Wabash Earninqs Increased.

st. Louis. Mo. Oct. 1.-THE annual
report of the directors of the Wabash
railroad shows that the gross earnings
were S23. .426, an increase of 1882
797. The net earnings were $3.50, lis.
The total tons of freight carried were
11,713,011 and the total number of pas
sengers carried we're 'S.1S3.474.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
FAIRBANKS HEARD IN
FIRST SPEECH IN IOWA
Gov. Cummins in introducing Him al
Council Bluffs Makes Some
Large Claims.

Council Bluffs, Iowa. Oct. 11.-Sena-
tor Fairbanks made his first Iowa
speech Of the campaign at Council
Bluffs today before breakfast. Gov.
Cummons presided and presented Fair
banks assuring him Iowa would give
him a larger proportion Of votes than
any other state in the union.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
IN WITH THE ADDICKs CROWD
Republicans of Delaware Agree on
Coumon State Ticket.

Wilmington, Del. Oct. 1.-THE reg
ular republicans and union or Addicks
republicans last evening agreed upon
Preston Lea, of this city as their can
didate for governor in place Of tho
men nominated by their respective
conventions. These two conventions
viii attempt TO agree upon the remain
der of the state ticket Wednesday.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
PAYNE'S ESTATE.
is ABOUT $75O,OOO
Will Makes Wife and Sister, Mrs.
Cameron, Chief Bene-
ficiaries.

Milwaukee, Oct. 1.-THE will of the
late Postmaster General Payne was
filed for probate today. The estate is
valued at three-quarterS of a million
His wife and sister, Mrs. Cameron, of
jamestown, \. Y, are the chief bene-
ficiarieS
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
DAVIS ON SPEAKING TOUR

Democratic Candidate Starts from Bal
timore on 1o-Days' Trip.
Baltimore. Oct. 11.-Henry G. Da-
Wis, democratic vice presidential can
didate left Baltimore this morning on
Today campaigning tour in Maryland
and West Virginia.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
Russians Lost $4,000 Men.

Rome, Oct, 1.-THE Giodnale Di
Roma has a St. Petersburg dispatch
estimating the Russian casualties
about Port Arthur and on the Lao
Tung peninsula and in the fighting .p
to the evacuation of Liaoyang were
93 1000, killed. wounded and prisoners.
At Port Arthur and on the Lao Tung
peninsula the Russian losses were Is
600 against the first Japanese army at
haiping and TaschikaO. and Haicheng
5000. and at Liaoyang 10000. In ad-
dition 1000 sailors were drowned and
10000 soldiers and sailors taken pris-
onerS.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
STEAMER AND CREW
OF II MEN Is LOST

Halifax, y. S, Oct. lit is reported
the steamer Call was sunk near New
London, p Z. l., and that the captain
and crew of II were lost.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
FIFTY MEN DIE
In A COLLAPSE
Fall of Building Under Construction
at Santiago, Chile, is
Disastrous.

Santiago, de Chile, Oct. 11.-By the
collapse of a building in the course OF
construction here yesterday so men
were killed.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
Letter to WeIIman.

ChlcagO.- Aug, -, lJut.
Mr.. Walter Wellman, Chicago Record
Herald.
Dear Sir: At yesterdays meeting
of the Chicago Federation of Labor the
incIosed resolutions were presented
and passed. and the undersigned in
structed to forward to you copy
with the request that you Immediately
comply with their contents and spirit.
Our position in this matter demands
that we frankly safe 10 you that we
shall question your integrity unless
you accept our proposition and make
good your charges. But while this is
our frame of mind we stand ready to
render every aid in our power to en-.
able you 10 do so.
Kindly notify us of your position and
intention. Hoping for a prompt reply
am, yours sincerely.
+. y. NOCKELS.
Secretary Chicago Federation OF Labor
| The Resolutions.
| Whereas. Mr.. Walter WelIman. {
well known newspaper correspondent
was delegated by the Chicago Record
! Herald TO write up the Colorado situa
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
Dies From Effects of Fall.

Grand Junction. Colo, Oct. IL
Frank Van Fleet. an aeronaut. is dead
from injuries received in falling from
a balloon.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
MILNER GIVES UP
COMMISSIONERSHIP

London. Oct. 11.-Lord Miner has
resigned the high commissionership of
South Africa on account of i'll health.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
TWO DIE TOGETHER
Sentiment Cause of a Double Suicide
Of Girls at Bucking-
ham, Ill.
VERY DELIBERATE ABOUT 1T
With Eye to Dramatic Effect, Pair
Make Wills and Write
Notes.

Kankakee, ILL.,, Oct. 11.-Lulu Cook
aged Is, and Minnie Ifiand, aged 10
Tilted by the two young men who for a
time had been attentive to them, and
fearful of ridicule from the town Cos
sips committee. suicided together Sat
urday night by poison.
The two girls went about preparing
TO die with great deuberatfon and a
care for details and dramatic effect.
They wrote many letters, made their
wills, and did many other little things
that showed how much Importance they
placed upon what they believed to be
public opinion in the little town of
Buckingham. in which they were known
to everybody.
Both Girls Take Strychninc.
The two girls killed themselves with
strychnine in the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
James Cook, the parents of Lulu Cook
the younger of the two girls
The young men. or rather boys. in
the case are James Ifland. a brother of
one of the suicides, and Henry Ferden,
The boys declare they had no inten-
ton Of wOunding the feelings of the
girls. and say they knew nothing of
the suicide compact.
Although they kept their plans a Sc
cret, it is believed that the young wo-
men began to arrange for the suicide
month ago.
Saturday morning Miss Ifland went
10 buckingham for a days visit with
their usual manner and seemed to be
in excellent spirits. In the evening
they met young Ferden on the street
He spoke TO them. but did not stop
Shortly after the two girls returned to
the home of Miss Cook and both retIr-
ed TO Miss Cooks room at 1920 p. m
a few minutes later Miss Cook came
down stairs and secured pencil from
her father. About an hour afterward
Mr.. Cook heard a groan from his
daughters room.
Says She iS Dying.
On entering. he saw both young
women lying in bed, apparently asleep
He asked his daughter if she was sick
I'm dying, papa" she replied.
Thinking she was dreaming he shook
her
Both young women then explained
that they had taken Strychnine. A
doctor was hurriedly sent for, but one
Of the girls died before his arrival, and
Miss Cook passed away before he could
apply any reStOratiVeS.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
MilIard Sanders Wins.

Lexington. Oct. 11.-Millard Sanders
won the unfinished 2:16 trot.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
WALCOTT ENTERS POLITICS
coIored Pugilist Announces Candidacy
for Executive of Maiden. Mass.

for EXECUTIVE Of Maiden, Wass.
Boston. Mass, Oct. 11.-JOe Walcott,
the colored pugilist, has announced
his candidacy for the mayOrality of
Maiden. II miles from Boston. He
has been a resident of that city for
some time and pays 500 taxes.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11

Mukdcn, Oct. IA desperate fight
is now in progress six miles north Of
Yentai.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
GunbOnt Paducah i'm water.

New York, Oct. 1.-THE gunboat
Paducah was launched at Morris
Heights without a hitch or mishap to-
day. The cost of the Paducah when
completed will be $G75,O0O
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
GEORGIA IN
THE WATER
New S3,5OO,OOO Bat
tIeship Launched at
Bath, Maine.
AFFAIR IS A SUCCESS
Gunb0at PaduCah Breasts the
Waves at Morris
Heights. N. Y.

Bath, Maine, Oct 1.-THE battle
ship Georgia was successfully launch
ed at the Bath Iron works this after
noon before a large concOurse of peo-
pie. The Georgia belongs to the most
powerful type of the largest class of
battleships. The contract price was
over S.. 100000.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11

Chicago, Oct. 11.-Walter Wellman'
the correspondent. who is now in In
diana devoting his time to an effort
TO carry the state for the republican
ticket has met with rebuke at the
hands of local labor organizations.
The Chicago Federation of Labor
through its president. William q.
Schardt. and its secretary, Ed y. Mock
els. with the sanction and approval
of its executive board and the legisla-
tive committee, has made public Sc
ries of letters between the federation
and Mr.. Wellman. in respect to Mr..
Welimans statements regarding the
Colorado mining strike as published
in his correspondence to the Record
Herald last August.
This correspondence between the
Federation of Labor and Mr.. Well
man." said Secretary Nockels. is Civ
en- ont for the purpose of exposing the
real intent of Wellman's Colorado
write-up and to prove to the enemies
of labor that its friends can not be
divided when questions of such vita
interest to liberty and mankind are
involved"
Following is the correspondence il
full:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
Oyama Has 100000.

According to the estimates of the
war Office at St. Petersburg Oyama's
total strength is about 100000 men, of
which 10000 are posted between the
Hun river to the west. and Bentsia-
putZe eastward, the remainder being
held in reserve at LiaOyang. Kuropat-
kin has nine army corps, giving him
slight superiority in numbers.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11

Toxic, Oct. lit is reported the
Russians crossed the Hun river and
attacked Kurokis forces, capturing a
position which Japanese, strongly re-
infOrced, recaptured and reoccupied.
The Japanese it is reported checked
the Russian advance. 1t is said the
losses on both sides were heavy. Off
cial confirmation of these reports is
umObtainable.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11

Continued on Page Six.)
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
Engagement General.

Toxic, Oct. lit is reported the
Russians have crossed the Hun river
in heavy force and are aggressively
attacking the Japanese forces which
were moving northward. A general
engagement is said to be in progress.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11

London. Oct 1.-THE Japanese ap-
parently are giving way at all points
before Kuropatkin's advance south
ward from Mukden. Oyama has Civ
en- up nearly every strong position
he has held north and east of Lao
yang. almost without a struggle.
1t is believed, however. that Oyama
will not retreat farther than his strong
ly intrenched positions around Lao
yang.