The sun., 1894-11-24
PORT ARTHUR TAKEN.
Japanese Capture the Great
Chinese Stronghold.
FIGHTING LASTED TWO DAYS.
The Chinese Soldiers Made an
Unusually Strong Defence.

Roth sides Reported 20 Have su6srea
Heavy Losses-Ths Fi.si hattie Rsesa
or Tuesday and the Fortress Fell o.
wednesday EvenIns-The Fiehti,g was
Ircessant and Severe for Fully Thirty-siz
Hours-Ths Way Now Open for the
Jsps.ess March o.. Fski- Deserfp-
tio. OF the Great Chinese stro,sheie.
LONDON, Nov. GA despatch from the
Central News correspondent in Shanghai says
that the Japanese captured Port Arthur on
Wednesday evening. The fighting began on
Tuesday. The Chinese made an unusually
strong defence, and the fight was severe and
incessnnt for fully thlrty-si1 hours. Both sides
are reported to have lost heavily.
The Star this morning printed despatch from
Tientsin stating that four attacks had been
made upon Port Arthur by the Japanese troops.
In tho first OF these the attacking forces sue
ceeded in driving in the Chinese outposts, but
the other three resulted in their repulse by the
Chinese.
The Globe publishes a despatch from Toxic
saying that the Third Japanese Corps has sailed
from Ujwa. Its destination is not known. but
II Is believed that the objective point Of the
corps is the Yang Kiang River.
The Central News correspondent at Nankin
says that Viceroy Tchang- -Tshi-Toung OF tho
Liang Mou province has again been ordered to
proceed to Pekin. He will be succeeded by the
Vlceroy of the Shensi province, Chang-Hsu.
A despatch from Che Foo TO the Central News
says that the Japanese dead found at Talien
Wan had all been beheaded. Among the dead
one European. who. because Of his decapi-
tatUn, could not DO identified.
Port Arthur is the strongest and most im-
portant naval arsenal In north China. 1t lies at
the extremity OF the peninsula between the
Gulf Of Corea and the Gulf of Liau Tong and Is
almost due north OF Che Foo. As naval base
II possesses remarkable natural advantages. The
town itself is rather small, having n population
Of hardly more than 1000 persons, most of
whom moved away some weeks ago. The gar
rson. when on q peace footing, consisted OF
about 1000 men, said to be well drilled and
equipped. but when the war broke out the garri-
son was greatly increased from the pick of the
Chinese army.
On the sea front Port Arthur was guarded by
q number Of powerful forts and batteries along
three and half miles of the coast. Twelve of
the coast batteries were mounted with about 40
Krupp rifles, ranging in calibre from six TO nine
and half inches. Besides these there was .
formidable array of rified mortars and rapid
fire guns.
The coast batteries are divided between the
eastern ands southwestern sides OF the harbor
entrance which Is again defended by complete
system OF submarine mines. Recently a num-
ber of torpedoes were laid from the shore sta
tlon. The last trustworthy reports as to tho
strength OF the garrison place it at 10000 Chi
nese troops well armed and provisioned.
Col Won Hanneken. who was recently pro-
NOTED to the control of the Chinese navy, super
intended the planning and erecting Of tho
guardian forts Of Port Arthur.
The East Port Of Port Arthur is divided from
the West Port by narrow strip of land called
the Tigers Tail, near the end of which is n
strongly garrisoned fort Breastworks dot the
strip and end at the base where Fort Wei Yuen
is situated.
Aside from the strength of the forts at Port
Arthur. the point Is OF immense value, owing tn
the complete equipment of its dry dock. This
is of most modern design and is ass feet long
and so feet wide.
1t opens into the East Port. which Is in reality
only large basin. About this basin ar
ranged many efficient workshops fitted with
valuable engines and machines. The yards
about the shops threaded with railroad
tracks and ways for travelling cranes.
On the land side Port Arthur was but weakly
defended by a stretch of camps and trenches
and earthworks, but these have recently been
strengthened.
The approach TO Port Arthur is through .
channel but roo yards wide at its narrowest
point and hardly more than 800 yards wide
elsewhere. The direction OF the channel 10
nOrthward.
Opposite the fort on the Tigers Tail Is one on
the mainland, and these command the entrance.
which is about $50 yards away.
Port Arthur Is the key To the gates OF Pekin,
and In gaining II the Japanese have placed .
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