Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-17
Startling Explanation Of Japanese
Success at Port Arthur.
INDIAN TROUBLE IN WYOMING
Cinnamon Struggled Into the Coun-
try by a Pullman Conductor.
NOTES OF THE DAY

SAN FRANCISCO. July 17-The ease
with which the Japanese captured Port
Arthur is explained to some extent by an
article in the japan Gazette, which ar
rived on the last steamer. According to the
Gazette, the commander of the Chinese
forts was a native Of Japan. and who had
acquired favor in Chinese councils through
long residence in the howery kingdom
and Intentionally caused the shots from the
guns to be misdirected, so they would fall
short of the Japanese warships, having
betrayed his adopted land for the land of
his birth. The disgraced commander ap-
peared before the victorious Japanese gen.
erals, acknowledged his treason and COM
mitted suicide in their presence. The arti-
Gle continues: when Port Arthur was at
tackled by the Japanese army and navy
the latter. after getting within suitable
range, opened fire on the forts near the
cast. The batteries on Hwangokin an
swered from heavy guns. These were the
strongest forts at Port Arthur, their arma-
ment being four immense Krupp guns.
Inc squadrons approaching within range of
such ordnance expected terrible can
nonade, and We're not a little astonished
by the weakness of the Chinese resistance
II IS true that they opened fire upon the
ships, but their shells always fell short of
the mark. The sailors supposed this fail
ure to be due to the inferior gunnery of
the Chinese, and greeted each shell as it
derision.
Ine off1cers, however, were puzzled by a
performance to them inexplainable, mas
much as they knew that the artillery in the
forts, whatever the faultiness of its ham
dnng could not possibly lack force. Mean
while the celebrated naval station of China
was stormed from the land side, and the
defenders Of the fort on Hwang Chin hill
were either killed or taken prisoners. their
retreat having been cut OFF by the invaders.
When the officers that defended the fort
Hwang Chin were brought before the
Japanese generals one of them, apparently
an officer Of distinction, stepped forward
and thus addressed the generals: II was
the commander of the forts. but now that I
nave 1ncur1isd irredeemable disgrace, I
should like to ask a special favor, namely,
that be permitted to commit suicide in
your presence"
Such request was not only contrary to
the ordinary habits of the Chinese, but
what was far more surprising. 1t was con-
yeyed in perfectly correct japanese. One
of the officers to whom the captive had adj
dressed himself asked him where he had
acquired the Japanese language so well.
The prisoner replied that he was originally
a native of Higo, whence he crossed over to
China many years ago. Subsequently, by
some chance he attracted the attention Of
Viceroy L. who gradually promoted him
till, at last he was appointed commander of
the forts. After making the confession
the officer insisted upon committing suicide
Notwithstanding the remonstrances of the
Japanese generals Making a. profound
obeisance, he sat down and slew himself
according to the strict capons of the Jap
anese Samurai. The officers were much
struck by the manly conduct. and caused
the remains to be inferred with due cere-
mony.