The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-01
RUSSIAN ELATION HAS
CHANGED TO ANXIETY.
What Will he the Result of the
Great Battle.

Great Battle:
st. Petersburg, Sept. /, ? a. m.-With
the knowledge that the Russian and
Japanese armies about Lao Yang are
locked in a death struggle, the tension
in St Petersburg tonight is strained
to the utmost. 1t is believed here that
the fight cannot stop short of the
crushing defeat of one side or the
other.
All reports are so far favorable to
the Russians, though the suspension
of all news for many hours has been
exceedingly trying and has given rise
to several rumors. somewhat temper
ing the earlier enthusiasm,
1t is stated officially, However, that
the report that the railroad and the
telegraph have been cut north of Lao
Yang is untrue. A member of the gem
eral staff said to the Associated Press
correspondent at midnight:
'I can assure you that up to this
hour communication with Lao Yang
has not been Interrupted. Gen. Ku-
ropatkin has taken particular precau-
tions against any attempt to cut the
railway. While it is always possible
that a small raiding party might slip
through the Russian patrols or that
hired Chinese bandits might cut the
telegraph, it is a fair supposition, in
view of all the facts, that this has not
been done.'
Losses of 10000 Men Each.
The highest military authorities here
consider that the most critical stage
of the battle has not yet been reached,
and they believe that the fight may
side Acknowledges defeat. This is an
important consideration by the light
of which to interpret any immediate
news.
1t is thought here that in view OF
the numbers engaged, the desperate
ness of the engagements and the length
of the line, about seven miles, the
| losses in the two days fighting can
not fall short of 10000 on each side
Both sides are straining every nerve
realizing that the fortunes of war fol
| a whole year are i'm the scale, and
neither side is in the mood or the po'
sftion to spare men in the effort Il
achieve a final victory.
The battle of Lao Yang will prob.
ably rank as one of the great san.
culinary battles of history. 1t is esti-
mated by the general staff that the
Japanese armies engaged number sew
enteen divisions of $4,000 men each, or,
allowing for inefficients, about 100000
men. Each division has thirty-six
guns, and there are two independent
artillery brigades of 100 guns each,
making a total of about 500 guns. The
estimates of Russian correspondents
range from 600 to 1000 guns per side.
In the preliminary fighting of Mon
day the Russians captured 200 prison
ers, who have already arrived at Har-
bin. and the report is persistent that
they captured over forty japanese
guns yesterday.
KurOpatIsin Has Close on 100000
Men.
Gen. Kuropatl1in's effective forces
are variously estimated at from 170,-
900 to 100000 men.
The Japanese on Wednesday morning
attacked three sides Of the Russian
positions. One of the Associated Press
correspondents also mentions a Japa-
nese movement TO the northeast of
Lao Yang, showing that the Japanese
were undoubtedly trying to work
around Kuropatkin's rear.
One Of the surprising phases of the
situation Is the endurance OF the men.
They have been engaged desperately
for two days, after more or less severe
fighting under unfavorable conditions
every day since Aus. a. 1t would seem
that human endurance could not per-
sist much longer without respite OF
some sort.
The japanese are using balloons 20
locate the Russian guns and trenches.
One Of the Russian correspondents OF
the Associated Press points out that
the japanese sent up a balloon shortly
after daylight 70 the southeast Of Lao
Yang.
The japanese are reported 70 be using
mortars 10 drop shells IN the Russian
positions. These are probably the high
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