The Washington times., 1904-09-02

at Liao-Yang
War Office Statement.
The following statement was given
out at the war Office;
General Kuroki's army crossed in
force to the right NORTH bank OF the
Taitse River, and il, therefore. became
necessary for the Russians 70 be in a po-
sition TO repel blow I'm this direction.
In view Of this development in the
operations General kuroDatkin decided
10 abandon his positions on the left
lsouth) bank. and TO concentrate his
whole army on the other side OF the
river. This position is the strongest. both
In character and I'm site. The great
issue VIII be finally decided there.
BY WITHDRAW wing TO this position the
Russian army avoids the danger of be-
ing divided by the river and enjoys the
advantage OF cOmpactness.
General KurooaIkin's move there
FORE is not to be considered as a re-
treat. but rather as the carrying out
OF a well defined idea.
Abandonment of Liao-Yang.
"The withdrawal of the Russians TO
the right bank involved the abandon
ment of Iiao-Yang. which is situated on
the left bank. The Japanese took ad-
vantage OF this to occupy the city. but
the sternest part of the lighting is stin
before them unless General KuroDatSin
utElQEQ at Alt li<A nOuE 10 AGAIN AoAA
back 70 the northward.
1T is more than likely. however. that
General kurOpatkin Will decide 10 tight
20 a finish. The cards are in his favor. |
It is believed. now that he has the
japanese divided by the river. thus cf-
fectually turning the tables upon his
foe.
anese of the Russian outposts when
General kuropatkin gave the first or
der TO withdraw was probably due 70
their anxiety to keep the Russians SCUM /
of Liao-Hang until General huroNl
should be able to strike from the north
east General KWopatkin, however.
saw the trap and cleverly avoided it.
laps May Be Above Mukden.
A japanese force of 10000 is reported
to be advancing from the northeast of
Mukden.
The train service between Mukden and
Liao-Yang is Interrupted, and it is
feared that the line has been cut by
the japanese.
the Taitse at Sakankanl<wantun after 8
o'clock on the evening OF wednesday,
and he Immediately gave orders Tor MS
men TO fall back on the outer positions.
This move IS explained by the desire TO
collect a strong force with which TO re-
pei n thanking movement from the
northeast.
The battle Wednesday was OF the
most desperate character 1t rage1 con-
tinuously for nineteen hours. from dawn
until midnight. and the slaughter was
tremendous.
At S O'Clock in the evening. after hold
ing his outer positions all day in the
fact OF the most desperate charges. Cen
eral kurOpatkin gave the order 10 re-
tire upon the main works about the
city.
had been directed principally against
the Russian center, a little east OF
Maietun hill. near the railroad. and
three miles southwest Of Liao-Yang.
Pitfalls Clicked With Dead.
As soon as the japanese found that
the Russians were retiring r-om tn n
outer positions southwark. they TesuEI-
ed the attack there although II was then
quite dark. Thus pressed. the Russians
arrested their movement 10 the rear,
and again faced the japanese.
With the view Of eventual retire
ment from their outer positions, the
Russians had dug a large numbS' %
pits. with stakes concealed IN their bot
toms. The pits were artfully concealed
among the high Chinese corn.
When the japanese charged after the
Russians they fell into the pits in hum
oreds and were engulfed and impaled on
the stakes and their lines were thrown
I'd about and returned TO their old posi-
tions, they found these death traps filed
with dead and dying.
The rattle Of musketry and boom of
cannon continued until midnight when
at last silence brooded over The bloody
battlefield and the tired soldiers lay
down where they had fought while the
WORKOUT surgeons ana Red Cross an
gels OF mercy ministered to the wounded
an night and groups Of Chinese coolies
carried them into LiaO-Yang.
General SakharofPs Report.
General sakharoH. in a dispatch to the
general STAFF. says:
"A portion Of General Kuroki's force
has crossed the right (north) bank OF
the Taitse River at Standardization
A division OF infantry. with cavalry and
artillery, crossed FIRST and covered the
advance OF other divisions After ford
ing the river the japanese advanced To-
ward Liao-Yang in two bodies, one due
west and the other by way Of the Yen
tai mines.
There was fighting between the two
armies ali day long, especially between
9 O'Clock and midnight. after which the
FIRE slackened.
General Kondrachenko's detachment
specially distinguished Itself During
the last four hours Of the day the jap
anese fired an immense number OF pro-
1ectiies. and the Russian positions were
searched by the Japanese shrapnel The
Russians maintained a stubborn defense
the whole day.
Terrible Storm of Shrapnel.
"Our troops all Iay long were exposed
70 perfect storm % shrapnel. but de-
Tended the positions intrusted 10 them
with desperate bravery After prepar-
ing for the assault with artillery. the
japanese repeatedly attacked ou- posi-
lions Some of our advanced fortinca-
lions passed into their hands after q
stubborn defense. They were. however
each time recaptured BY US at the poiut
or the bayoner. The japanese left a
number OF dead. After each bayonet
engagement our troops found time 10
dig pits In the fields OF Chinese corn in
front OF some OF our positions These IN
some cases were completely 6lled with
Japanese corpses. The eneiny's losses
must have been enormous ours have
not yet been even approximately COM
puted. but they are also large A con-
siderable number OF japanese arms fen
into our hands"
Kuropatkin's New Position.
General Kuropa5kins present position
- about five miles north Of and one mile
east OF Lao Yang and IT IS believed that
ne has there l65 600 men and GOO guns
General Kuroki's army Is believed 70 be
about six miles eastward Of the Rus
sian position.
IL Is plain that the japanese plan is TO
turn both the tanks OF General Kuro-
patkin's position, and 20 surround tho
army south Of Lao Yang. as Marshal
Bazaine was shut up in Metz after the
battle OF GravelOtte. August IS. 1870