Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-11-26
FOUGHT BRAVELY
But the Chinese Could Not Hold
Port Arthur.
Japanese Land Forces Alone Capture
All Defences in Two Days.
Immense Quantities Of Rice. Ammunition and
Guns Among the Booty.

London Nov. 2a.-Thc Port Arthur
correspondent of the Central News sends
this dispatch Marshal Oyama approached
Port Arthur steadily for two weeks with
his army in two divisions. Progress was
slow and difficult us the roads, where
there were any. were poor and the arttl-
lcry could he brought forward only after
the pioneers had prepared the way. Tho
villages were almost empty of supplies.
Many had been pluudcrcd bare 10y tho
Chinese. Skirmishing began Nov. Il.
Every fort had heavy artillery, which was
used with effect. The large krupp guns
at Hokinson were apparently served hy
skilled artillCrymcn and were especially
destructive.
"On the evening Of Nov 81. the Chin
este held eight or nine Udoubts on the
coast and had 90 guns in working order.
The japanese bivOuackcd on the hills.
Early in the morning of Nov. % they be-
gan storming the redoubts. They cap
turcd Fort Lacuma after sharp but short
fight The other positions were captured
in quick succession without heavy losses
to the Japanese. Eighty guns and an
enormous quantity of rice were taken IL
was wholly n land fight. The course of
events was signallcd to the Japanese fleet
off the coast.
From Toxic the Central News hears that
Admiral Ito sent this report, yesterday:
Port Arthur was taken, Nov. -, by tho
army alone. The united squadrons merely
attracted the attention of the Cncmy's
scawarl batteries. Since yesterday | have
been removing torpcdoes form the mouth
of the port dockyard and arsenal. Tho
ships in port have been handed over to the
naval department The dockyard ard
arsenal are in pcfrcct working order.
The Toxic correspondent remarks that
Admiral Ito neglected to specify more
closely the ships captured, but he denies
the report that there was n naval battle.
1T is believed, " he says, THAT the ships
in question are the Chinese warships
which took refuge at Port Arthur after
the battle at the mou h of the Yalu and,
although fully repaired, did not venture
out again Unofficial news is to the effect
that Admiral Ito did not take part in tho
attack because the entrance to the port
was studded with torpedocs, and the
usual landmarks for the guidance of pilots
were removed.
A dipatch boat has left Ping Yang inlet
for Port Arthur to convey the Mikado's
congratulations to Marshal Oyama.
Toxic, Nov. 25-Marshal Oyama sent
this report from Port Arthur under dato
of Nov %: "Nov. 81, the japanese army
attacked the forts near Port Arthur. The
right division stormcd and captured the
fort to the westward of the artillery parade
ground at s. 30 in the morning II ad
vanccd in the direction of Port Arthur
and stOrmed arI captured Fort Robinson.
The left division storlned and captured
the fort southeast Of Hachiviso, and Nov.
%, the two divisions took all the other
forts.
"Thc enemy fought bravcly through
out the attacks. The number of Japan
csc killed and wounded exceed 200. The
killed, wounded and prisoners Of the enemy
cannot now be estimated. A great quantity
of ammunition and other aterials and
many cannon were taken. The enemy
numbered more than 10000"