The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-09-06
DEFEAT ADMITTED
At ST. PETERSBURG

~ - sH NSINt ""
at ST. PETERSBURG.
st. Petersburg, Sept. 2.-The rout
of the Russian army at Lao Yang and
| the extreme seriousness of the situa-
tion are admitted in semi-ofiicial cir
cles. There is no longer any doubt
about the occupation of the city by the
Japanese, but the officials endeavor
to hide so many of the distressing facts
as can possibly be concealed.
Semi-ofJlcially it is explained that the
Japanese victory, while sweeping
enough in its way, was by no means
decisive and that General KuropatKin's
army is now massing upon the right
bank of the Taitse river, ready to fight
the greatest battle Of the year.
The Russians declare that even nov
Russia's losses may be retrieved with
one fell blow.
The statement which has been secur.
ed from a source well nigh official
reads as follows:
General Kuropatkin, upon realizing
that the japanese were about to con-
centrate their forces north of Lao
Yang, having sent several divisions
across the Taitse river, decided To
change his plan of battle and, leaving
the left bank of the river. withdrew
most of his troops from the defence OF
Lao Yang.
The position now occupied by the
Russians is far stronger than was that
to the south of Lao Yang 1t is, in
fact, the strongest of the entire sur
rounding country, its peculiar topo-
graphical character Offering splendid
opportunities for defensive as well as
offensive movement.
Thus General KurOpatkin has avoid
ed the danger Of a division Of his forces
by the river, and while, had his orig
inal plans not miscarried, he would
not have resOrted TO this departure,
it must nevertheless not be assumed
that he was forced from his strongly
entrenched position to the south of the
city.
ut is, of course, too early to say
whether General Kuropatlin intends tc
provoke a general engagement at this
time. If he deems it wiser he will
move Lis troops further northwGrid.
though an immdiate battle is not out of
the question.
1T is not believed that the japanese
are anxious to force the issue at this
time as they have only a small part
Of their army on the right side Of the
river. Should they decide to force the
fight, General Kuropatkin will prob
ably be placed in a position to admin
lister a crushing defeat
The japanese are now in the unfor
tunate position the Russians were in
before General Kuropatkin decided to
remove the battle-ground to the north
Their ermy is now divided by the Tai
tse river as was his yesterday.
The abandonment of Lao Yang,
which is located on the left bank, is, OF
course, regrettable, but under the cir
cumstances could not be avoided"
TOXIC AWAITS CONFIRMATION.
Toxic, Sept. 2.-Reports have ar
rived here from various sources an
nouncing the occupation of Lao Yang
by the Japanese.
The report still lacks official con-
firmation but an announcement from
the war office, either denying The re.
ceipt of such news or fully confirming
it, is expected hourly.
The city is in a turmoil of excite
ment and in unofficial circles nobody
seems to doubt for one moment the
complete success of General Kurok's
strategy.
The widest Tumors as to how the
capture of the old Manchurian strong
hold was effected are in circulation.
It is impossible to trace these reports
back to their sources, although some
Of the newspaper claim to have their
information from highest authority.
Ordinarily it would have to be as
sumed that no details could have
reached the war office at this time,
but considering the fact that, with the
capture of the city, the Japanese
would be in complete possession of
every field telegraph, there seems
assumption that as complete report
as possible might have been sent to
the war Office from the field.
II true, the occupation Of the city
was the direct result of Kuroki's as
"""lt upon the left flank of the Rus
isians
IRE latest official news described
l A a. n