The record-union., 1894-12-15

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
YOKOHAMA, Nov. 29.-The fall of Port
Arthur was undoubtedly known in
America before the news was circulated
in Japan. After the announcement that
the magnificent Talien fortifications had
been abandoned by the Chinese without
q serious struggle, 1t was hoped that few
days would bring intelligence that the
last blow on the LiaOtung Peninsula had
been effectively struck; but for more
than a week the Japanese people were
kept in suspense and fierce excitement
while the elaborate combinations OF
General Oyama and the cooperating
fleet were finally adjusted. Up to the
middle of November the military move
ments had been controlled by Lieutenant
General Yamagi, a soldier of high reputa-
ton, whose popularity is enhanced by
the knowledge that he has only one eye
with which to order the course of battle.
Under his leadership every stronghold
but one was reduced, the troops engaged
numbering about two-thirds of the en-
tire body OF which the second army is
composed. To give additional weight to
the eliminating stroke the remaining
regiments were finally brought forward,
and the whole mass was directed for the
first time by General Oyama. Prelimi-
nary skirmishes took place outside the
walls OF Port Arthur on the 18th and 10th
of November, but the actual assault did
not begin until dawn on the 2lst, when
an attack on the rear OF the tortlhcatIonS
was made in 1ull force.
The garrison, supposed to number from
10000 10 10000, having now no refuge to
fly to, made a short attempt at resistance,
but by S:3O o'clock the heavy batteries at
the west were carried by the Japanese
right, and the line OF fOrtltIcatlOnS broken
through. y: z o'clock in the afternoon
the central position of Port Arthur was
occupied, and at4 O'Clock an interior group
OF fortreSses yielded. While one division
OF Oyama's army was performing these
exploits, his left was overrunning an
equally formidable set of works at the
eastern extremity of the line. To this on
set the Chinese gave way at ll:30 O'Clock
IN the morning. a powerful cluster OF
forts on the shore remained to be cap
tured, and against these the Japanese
hurled their columns without cessation,
until at day break on the I'D the entire
mass of delenses was surrendered. The
operations lasted but little more than
twenty -four hours. The overthrow was
complete, and all the enormous material
collected for the support of this famous
station fell to the disposal of the victors.
No attempt was made to remove or de-
stroy any portion of the armament. The
Japanese losses were something over 200
dead and wounded. No SPECIFIC details
have yet been received, ami the Chinese
losses cannot yet be estimated.
PART PLAYED BY THE FLEET.
The fleet arrayed against Port Arthur
was almost identically the same as that
which won the battle near Taikosan Har-
bor in Septem ber last. The Hiyei, how
ever, was absent ana The Saikio of course
did not participate. Several foreign men,
Of-war watched the proceedings, among
them the United States ship Baltimore.
which, 1t is reported, was on one occasion
mistaken for a Chinese vessel and came
near being torpedoed by the oshino and
the 1akachihO. German and British
ships were also OH hand, and again an
ugly story is told of the action of Ad-
miral Ereemantle, who, 1t Is alleged,
gave premature alarm to the Chinese by
firing a salute to the Alacrity while d
body of Japanese troops were debarking.
But Admiral Ereemautle was, neverthe-
less, one of the first to send news to his
Government of Japan's triumphs.
RESTORING ORDER.
The interval between the capture Of
Kin-Chow and the advance on Port Ar
thur was occupied by the japanese in
establishing an office of civil administra-
tion in the conquered city. with view o
restoring order among the populace. The
eXcesSes OF the Chinese soldiers had
driven the inhabitants to despair and
when it was found that the invaders were
truly messengers of peace and good will
to all who held aloof from the strife, the
JOY on every side was unrestrained. The
new local government was placed under
control of the former Japanese Consul at
u1en-Tsln, and its rules of action were
publicly proclaimed. Notice was given
that no pillage would be practiced that
just payment would be rendered for all
goods required; that the rights of the ma
tives would be thoroughly respected and
their customs adhered to as exactly as
possible. Such are the principles OBJ
served in Japan in dealing with a nation
which acknowledges no regulations o.
war; which sanctions the murder and
mutilation OF prisoners; makes no pro-
visions for the treatment of an enemy