THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 8 September 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

KUROPATKIN’S NARROW ‘ ESCAPE. While directing the retreat two horses were killed under General Kuropatkin. Most of the Russian supplies at Liaoyaug were captured. An unconfirmed report at St. Petersburg states that 200 spiked and damaged guns were abandoned at Liaoyaug. Russian details of the fighting at Liaoyang on the Silt exhibit astounding intrepidity by the Japanese infantry, who charged to within 150 paces of ihe entrenchments in the face of a withering fire. The. arrival of reserves along prevented a hand-to-hand encounter. Occasionally only the railway embankment separated the combatants, who hurled stones at one another, JAPS RETIRE IN SEVERAL DIRECTIONS. I'he Japanese at Port Arthur on the 30th failed to recapture Itzshan after fierce assaults, the aim being to gain Ingress along the railroad. Mutual support by the forts baffles the Japanese, who fear another two months’ conflict. Reuter states that the Port Arihur assault, lasting from the 27th to the 3rd, failed, the Japanese- retiring everywhere, except Palungshwan, where they are firmly established. The Russians estimate the Japanese losses at 8000 and the Russians 8000. The Times states that China has agreed to intern the Russian crews at Shanghai. KUROPATKIN DECISIVELY BEATEN. General Kuropatkin telegraphed the Czar- —“Including General Stackelberg’s we were occupying to-day positions southward of the branch railway to Yentai mines. The Japanese, although in our immediate vicinity, confined themselves mostly to sniping from millet. Our troops posted at Liaoyang are crossing the right bank. The area of the operations is almost entirely Covered by growing millet, greatly impeding the movements. Orloffls retreat was largely due to the fire wherewith he assailed the millet fields. Orloff’s losses are considerable, one regiment losing 1500.” The Times comments on the Russian characteristic courage and tenacity of the rearguard’s defence of Liaoyang up to Sunday, which gave a precious respite, enabling the bulk to cross the river. The army has escaped for the present from the net spread for it. Leading London newspapers surmise that General Kuroki’s troops, after continuous fighting since the 23rd, were scarcely fresh enough to absolutely intercept the retreat. The Times says General Kuroki’s position is south of General Kuropatkin, and threatens only the Russians who were holding Liaoyang until Sunday. It cannot be doubted that General Kuropatkin was strongly entrenched, and deliberately gave battle with a view to a fight to a finish, and was decisively beaten.