THE BATTLE OF LIAO-YANG.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 209, 7 September 1904, Page 3

THE BATTLE OF LIAO-YANG.

KUROPATKIN'S DEFEAT DECISIVE. LONG, CONTINUED FIGHTING. ' LON-OON, September 5. The Times comments on the Russian characteristic courage and the 1 tenacity of the rearguard's defence of Liao-yang up to Sunday, the precious respite thus afforded enabling* the bulk of General Kuropatkin s army to cross the river. That army, Bays the Times, h«B escaped for the present from the net spread for it. Leading London newspapers surmise that General Kuroki's troops, after continuous fighting since the 83rd, an scarcely fresh enough to absolutely intercept the Russian retreat* The Times says that General Kuroki's position is south of that of General .Kuropatkin, and threatens only tjie Russians who were holding Liao-yang until yesterday. It cannot be doubted that General Kuropatkin was strongly entrenched, deliberately 'gave' battle wi,th'a view to a tight to a finish, and was de- . cisively beaten, FURTHER DETAIL'S. '"" EXTRAORDINARY. STORIES OF ■ PARING. ' " LONDON, September 5. Most of the Russian supplies at Liao-yang, were captured. While directing the retreat, two horses were shot.under General Kuropatkin* General Ma, in, command of the Chinese Army, is again approaching the Manchurian frontier. Therp is an unconfiimod report from §t. Petersburg that 200 spiked and damaged guns were abandoned at Ltao-yang., , . ~ Russian details of the fighting-fit Liao-yang on the 31st exhibit the astounding intrepidity of the Japainfantry charged within ISO 'papas'of tjhe entrenchments, in race of a'withering Are, and the arrival of reserves alone prevented a hand-to-hand encounter. Occasionally only the railway embankment separated the. combatants; who hurled atones at one another. KUROPATKIN'S. REPORT, WITHERING FIRE CAUSES ORLOFF'S RETREAT. ** LONDON') Septembers. General Kuropatkin telegraphed to the tear:-!- '. ■'■."' •'•' Including Stakelberg's division, we were occupying to-day positions Bouthwara trfithe breach of railway to the Yalta! mines: ''The'Japanese, although in our immediate vicinity, confinai themselves mostly^ 1 to 'Ssniping ' ft om among the millet. "Our.troops posted.at Liao-yang are crossing tho right bank, The area, erf operations is almost entirely , with'growing millet, which b» greatly impeding our movements. Orloff's retreat was targMy' due'to the fire whsrawith fcwas assailed froi.i '.he milluids. ''•"Orlofl'a losses are considerable, one-; regiment losing 1500." ! Btackelberg and ORLOFF UNDER A CLOUD. ANOTHER MOSCOW. i ,'jtfiacetvod September? 1 !}, 9.57 p.m.) i "k LONDON, 11 September 8. 1 Kuropatkin and Kuroki ire mutually raoing northwards. Advices received in St. Petersburg State ttiat the Japanese are swarmtog across the Tai-tse River, near Pewhiiui, • and the bulk of them are marching direct on Mukden. The Russians burned half of Liaoyang and.destroyed the bridges, while the Chinese quarter was razed to the ground. The inmates fled. : The officials at St. Petersburg are trying-to make a scapegoat of Gene'■l ; in connection with the Liao-yejng retreat. They also blame General Orlofl for withdrawing Ms.brigade westward, thus enabling the Japanese to turn the extremity of the left w'ihg. Advices' from Yentai state that Gonial Kuroki had a sharp fight on approaching); the railway, and was driven ' back to his original posaU PP' a terrific Japanese shrapnel" fire at one spot annihilated * wo companies of Russians. ; The Russians estimate thedr casuat Liao-yang at 16,000, and adhjit tihjat many guns (especially iSiege pieces) were abandoned. Gcnoral Kuroiwtkin has informed the Czar that he is retreating in perfect order,' and that some insignificant attacks on the roarguard on Sunday .were repulsed. A, SPLENDID RETREAT. LATER NEWS OF AN ALARMING NATURE. XBeceived September 6, 11.32 p.m.) LONDON, September 6. A large body of Russians and Japanese fought for two and three days foodless and parched with (hirst. Toko advices state that General Kuropatkin, by a desperate rearguard action and with the help of strong and well handled flank Screens, withdrew the bulk of his army. ..An official message to St. Petersfeurg says the united Russian forces are northward of Yen-tai, except a detachment left there to cover the ietreat. ■All alarming report received in St. Petersburg at a later hour asserts that Kuropatkin's rearguard is al«nos£ annihilated, and the main army is in imminent danger of being surrounded.

DIARY OF EVENTS. 'A HEAVY WEEK'S FIGHTING. August 26.—Japanese commenced : operations along the whole front of the Russian Manchurian army. • A series ol artillery duels took place, the Russians withdrawing to their main positions. August 27th.—J apanese occupied the railway. ■Aut" us ' 28th.—Russians compelled 7\i evacuate Anshamtien. The •Mag armies came in con- ,' Wyljv «* a *«* battlu Au^Tn._.^P7 se r u r ,d - their advance fllo « g the , RuSw • X, t V ' *n»and right. attack on the cen vjji„,_ *,,,„ After.ten hours' ,*j; divisions of Japanese an arj ,, v left, flank of the Rust, betlre ' en and reacted a position Liaoyaug 'and Mukden. \ August 81st.—General Kuroki ci ', , ! es the Tai-tse River. Other ill J sions of the Japanese army mad. a desperate attack on fortilied positions along the Russian southern line, dislodging Ihe enemy from three positions, and enabling the Japanese to rupture early on the following morning the remaining heights. ■ and forcing, the Russian right 1 and centre to retire. September ] St.—Generals Oku and Nodzu continued to press the Russians along the Tai-tse fi.ver. Kuropatkin's forces were thrown into confusion. Marshal Oyatna'a right division attacked «■ large Russian force at Yen- I tal. September 2.—Fire reported to bo.] raging at Liao-yang ; railway j station destroyed. Kuropatkin i sard to be escaping westward ! across the Liao. ( September 3.—Russians reported to be routed. Japanese take pos- , seSsJoa 01 Uaomng,

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