Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-03
SITUATION IS SERIOUS
REPORT THAT THE EMPEROR
HAS ALARMING NEWS.
Alexieff Returns to LiaoYang to Con-
fer With Kuropatkin Over
Vital Matters.

ST PETERSBURG, August 3, 5:45 PM
Tho corresnondent of the Associated Press
hears that Emperor Nicholas has just re-
ceived a telegram at Peterhof containing
alarming news.
II Is also reported that Viceroy Alexlen'
who had gone to Harbn on his way 10
Vladivostok. returned to Liao-Yang ana
conferred with Gen. kuropatkin regarding
the situation.
Decisive Battle is Certain.
ST. PETERSBURG August 3, 4:lo pm
Whether a general engagement Is al
ready progressing around Lao Yang oe-
tween the forces of General kuropatln
and the three Japanese armies "hicil
have been moved against them from the
south and east the decisive battle OF the
campaign is regarded as certain IL .ne
Japanese energetically follow up thelr
preliminary successes OF tne lasi 81, 20 =
days. At various points the fighting mas
been of a desperate and bloody charac-
ter, the Russians Offering the most STUD
born resistance .
The losses therefore. although their
extent is not yet established, must De
heavy on both sides. Between 5000 ana
s 900 men is one estimate given of the
Russian losses. All the estimates now
ever, are little better than guess work
as yet, and possibly the RUSSIAN casuai-
ties may be much larger.
Driven in at All Points.
The strong screen drawn around Gen.
Kuropatkins interior positions has peeh
driven in at all points, Haicheng peihs
practically abandoned without blow. Inc
pressure of the japanese numbers ana the
failure to hold the northern positions proc
ably rendered it useless to try to hoid OF
there.
The Russian forces last night constituted
n compact chain in the form OF semi
circle around Liao-Yang. extending from
Anshanshan. half way between HalcheHe
and Liao-Yang, to Anping, whlch Is ohiy
thirteen miles east of Liao-Yang. Unless
the bulk of Gen. kuropatkin's army mas
already been withdrawn north of Lao fang
il is difficult to see how he could now 90
SO with such great pressure. the japanese
being almost upon his main lines.
Inasmuch as portions of four army CORPS
were engaged in the fighting up 10 last
night and as these corps comprise 1hree
ana rters of the whole Russian army. IT
seems certain that nothing except portion
of the stores and munitions have yet pesn
removed. Nevertheless. well-informed mil-
itary attaches express the opinion tnat
Gen. Kuropatkin will get away with the the
bulk of the main army IL ne nhus 'he
chances against him.
Location of Forces.
From the best information obtainable as
to Gen. Kuropatkn's dispositions his forces
were located this morning as follows:
Gen. Zaroubaieff's and Gen. Stakelberg
corps formed the right wing at Anshan-
shan. The 1st Siberian and the 10th Euro
rean Corps were on the left The recently
arrived 18th Corps and the portion OF Gen.
Stoessers corps, which is not at Port AT
thur were at Liao-Yang.
Troops in Poor Condition.
Srecial Dispatch to The Evening Star.
NEW YORK, August "a cablegram
from Rome sasys: Lao Yang correspon-
dent of the Giornale dFalia asserts tha'
the conditions among the Russians at the
front are disastrous. The army, he says
&c diving of hunger After march lasting
forty-eight hours the troops were given
nothing but a piece of sugar They have
nrr,va only at long intervals. Under these
conditions" he adds. 1.-The work OF the
troops Is truly heoric.