Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-24
PORT ARTHUR'S FALL
Combined Naval and Land Attack Of
the Japanese.
CHINESEFINALLYFLEDP STRICKEN
Futile Attempt to Pull the Chen
Yuen Off the Rocks.
MANY TROOPS DESERVING

of state for foreign affairs, has received
a short dispatch from the British minister
at Toxic confirming the capture Of Port
Arthur. Port Arthur was captured on
Wednesday. There is great rejoicing at
Yokohama over the Japanese victory.
A dispatch to the London Times from
Chefoo last night said the fighting was
continuous from noon of Tuesday until
Wednesday evening. The Japanese fleet
dad not take part in the engagement, tho
Times dispatch adds, though the torpedo
boats attached to the feet were In action
and distracted the attention of the forts
while the japanese troops entered the
town.
Naval and Land Attack.
A dispatch from, Shanghai asserts thlt
% Japanese torpedo boats made con-
certed rush upon the entrance OF the har-
Dor of Port Arthur and that at the same
time the Japanese land forces attacked
the place from the rear, while heavy
artillery fire was poured into the Chinese
forts. The Japanese infantry then storIned
defense after defense.
The Chinese resisted feebly. There were
a few hand-to-hand fights. but. finaLy.
the Chinese became panic-stricken and the
Japanese carried everything before them.
A dispatch from Shanghai confirms the
Times dispatch from Cheeioo cabled last
embarking at Port Arthur.
To Attack Wei Hal Wei.
Another dispatch from Shanghai says
that the third Japanese army, which left
Japan on November 20 according to this
correspondent, is supposed to have been
sent to attack Wei Hal Wei. where a por-
tion of the Chinese navy remains. The dis
patch adds that this place will be easily
captured, as the Chinese soldiers who were
encamped for its defense at Pechi Ii are
deserving in thousands. The whole place is
said TO be In state of utter collapse and
confusion.
A dispatch to the Associated Press from
Yokohama yesterday said 1T was rumored
that this force was intended to operate in
the Yang Use kiang district of China.
The Chen Yuen Useless.
According to dispatch from Shanghai,
a large Chinese cruiser broke her propeller
while trying to haul the Chinese warship
Chen Yuen of the rocks at Wei Hal Wei,
and the cruiser is now said to be lying
useless at the latter place. 1t is added
that China now has only four effective
warships left. Two others were being re-
pared at Port Arthur and were captured
there by the Japanese.
Sir Robert Hart, inspector general of the
imperial customs of China, has issued q
circular to the customs employees, a Shang-
the great uncertainty of the future, he
says that he is disburSing the money In
hand and that he can only guarantee the
payment OF retiring allowances at half the
usual rate.
A dispatch to the Pail Mall Gazette from
Chefoo says that the British warship Por-
pose has arrived there and brings a con-
firmation Of the announcement that Port
Arthur has been captured by the Japanese.
ChefOo Is a Chinese city on the north
coast of the Shan Tung promontory, some
ninety miles south of Port Arthur, from
which it is separated by the gulf of Pechi
LII.
The Port Arthur Campaign.
The Japanese army under the command
of Field Marshal Count Oyama, minister
of war, which has captured Port Arthur,
consisted of about 10000 men, and when
this force arrived off the Regents Sword
promontory, 1t was divided into two detach-
ments, one Of which, aided by part of the
Japanese fleet, operated against Talienwan,
while the other directed its movements
against Kin Chow, on the western side Of
the promontory, some miles north of Port
Arthur. TaNenwan and Kin Chow were
both captured, after which the army again
combined and the march on Port Arthur
was commenced. Several engagements of
minor Importance took place along the
route, but according to the reports the
Japanese were invariably successful
Dispatches received few days ago
stated that the Japanese were close to the
city and had attacked the Chinese out
posts, driving them back to their entrench-
ments. 1t was also said that the Japanese
attacked the entrenchments three times,
but were repulsed each time. Several times
the town is reported to have been captured,
but later dispatches have shown that these
reports were inaccurate, and that the Jap
anese were conducting their operations
against the place with great care. and that
they intended, when the real attack was
made that 1t should be successful. o..
Port Arthur Chinn's Chief Naval Sta
tiOn.
Port Arthur the native name Of which is
Lu Shun Kou, is the chief naval station Of
China. The port is almost surrounded by
ranges of hills varying from 800 to 1900 feet
In height, the valleys between being well
cultivated The town has increased to
nearly 1000 houses and shops, and, ex-
elusive of the garrison, the population Is
estimated at over 5000. The port contains
spacious wharves and Guays, fitted with
steam cranes and connected by railway
with the workshops. There is dock over
400 feet long, having % feet OF water In its
sills at low tide, which can be emptied in
few hours by means of q steam pump.
There is also smaller dock, suitable for
torpedo boats. The foundries and work.
shops contain the most modern machines
engines &c. The dock yard can be lighted
About four miles north Of the port there
is a spring of fresh water. This water is
row running through pipes to the dock
yard, and tho town Is also partially sup
piled with water in the same way.
The defeuses Of the rort consisted Of
well-constructed forts armed with modern
guns of heavy caliber. The coast defenses
are spread over more than four miles Of
seaboard, end consist cf about twelve batl
teries equally distributed on either sido Of
the entrance OF the pert. TIE armament
consists of more than forty Krupp guns
varying from six inches to 9.O6 inches, in
Guiding some rified mortars. In addition
there Is torpedo boat station and an
elaborate system Of submarine mines. The
western side of the port Is protected by
the shoaling of the harbor. The garrison
was said to consist Of about 1000 men.
Confirmed by American Adviccs.
Confirmation of the report Of Port Arthur
came almost simultaneously to the State
and Navy Departments. to the former from
United States Minister DENLY at Pekng and
to the latter from Admiral Carpenter, on