The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-09-06
The Russian Army Is Now
Slowly Retreating.
ABANDONED LAO YANG.
One Russian Regiment Alone
Lost 500 Men.
STAKELBERG BLUNDERED.
The First Siberian Army Corps was
Almost Cut Of from the Main Army.
but Finally Managed to Escape from
the Enemy.

put Finally Managed to Escape from
the Enemy.
st. Petersburg, Sept. 5.-Gen. Stalk
elberg's First Siberian army corps,
which was reported on Saturday by
Gen. Kuropatkin as having been cut
on to the westward OF Lao Yang, has
been safely extricated.
Gen. Kuropatkin telegraphed Satur-
day evening that the greater portion
of his army was then south OF Yentai,
about ten miles northeast of Lao
Yang, and that the other portion of II
was crossing the Taitse river and TAX
ing up position on the right bank.
This message, which was received
by the emperor early Sunday morning,
threw a more hopeful light on the po-
sition of the Russian army. and the
authorities gave sigh of relief. There
Is no attempt, however, to conceal the
gravity of the situation, in view of
the absence of news regarding what
happened yesterday.
It is not clear from the latest tele-
gram whether the Russians are con-
tinuing their retreat, of IL they have
been compelled to face their foe.
The gloomy report telegraphed by
the Russian commander-in-chief in
the early stages of the fighting of Sat
urday last, and his bitter reproaches
against Gen. Stakelberg. are attribut-
ed to his chagrin over the failure of
his offensive plans.
Gen. Kuropatkin now telegraphs
that his only serious losses are con-
fined to Maj Gen. Orloff's detachment,
| which was guarding the left flank at
Yentai. This detachment consisted
of mixed detachments and was sud-
| denly attacked by Japanese infantry
and artillery concealed in the tall corn
and grass. The Russians seem to have
lost their heads and to have retreated
precipitately.
The Japanese inflicted great slaugh-
ter. one of Gen. Orloff's regiments los
ing 1.500 men.
No details are given of the escape
of Gen. Stakelberg's corps from the
| clutches of the enemy, but it is be-
lieved that It owes its safety to the
neglect or the inability of the Japa-
nese to follow up their advantage.
Gen. Stakelberg was allowed to cross
the river and came up with the main
army in time to enable the shattered
remnant of Gen. Orloff's detachment
to retreat This exploit Is likely to
condone Stakelberg's disobedience,
but unless the emperor forgives him
he will have to appear before a court
martial and probably will lose his
command.
The war Office is able to make the
4 oto thot
retreat from Lao Yang did not in
volve the loss of guns, and II also de-
clares that the abandoned stores at
Lao Yang were set on fire before the
Russians crossed the Taitse river.
The Japanese army is confessedly
exhausted and is getting further from
its base of supplies. IL II reaches
Mukden without dealing Kuropatkin a
crushing blow-and Marshal Oyama
seems to be not yet able to envelop
the Russian force-the Japanese will
find themselves in front of a strongly
defended city. where the Russians will
be sure of renewed supplies and
against which It seems impossible
that the Japanese commander will be
able to hurl his brave but worn out
and possibly starving forces.
Emperor Nicholas on Sunday after
noon received a telegram from Gen.
Kuropatkin asking for the immediate
dispatch to the far east OF the Sixth
army corps.
II is reported here that Gen. Kuro-
patkin has arrived at Tiehling. Tiehl-
ing is IL miles north Of Yentai, on the
railroad, and IS miles south of Muk-
al l.. 49,. <~E
Liao Yang.
The Russian losses before Lao
Yang on September 2, as officially
computed. were 5000.
Toxic, Sept. 5.-Field Marshal
Oyama, telegraphing Sunday morning,
says:
After the fighting Of last night and
this morning Lao Yang fell into our
hands. Our casualties are believed to
be very heavy. No report has been
received concerning conditions on the
right bank of the Taitse river"
Beyond Field Marshal Oyama's dis
patch reporting the occupation of
Lao Yang and the commencement of
lGcn. Kuroki's turning movement
against the Russian left, nothing fur
ther concerning the battle of Lao
Yang reached Toxic yesterday. Nei-
ther the number of Russians who sue
ceeded in escaping northward nor the
number encompassed by Gen. Kuro-
ki's turning movement Is known here.
The severity of the Russian defeat
hinges largely on Kuroki's movement.
II successful the number OF Russian
prisoners will be large. The meager
reports received indicate that the SOL
diers of both armies went to the limit
Of human endurance and suffered ter
ribly. II was impossible constantly to
supply them with food and water. and
the men fought for days while starv-
ing and parched with thirst.
Although full details are lacking,
the duration of the fighting, the num-
bers engaged and the losses SO far re-
ported indicate that Lao Yang will
prove to be one Of the greatest battles
" history.