The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-19
CONFESSED NE WIS Il TEdfIoh.
Why the Defence of Port Arthur was 80
Feeble.

SAN FRANCISCO, July s.-The ease
with which the Japanese captured Port
Arthur during the second war with China
is explained to some extent by an ar
ticle in the Japan Gazette, which arrived
on the last steamer. According 10 the
Gazette. the commander of the Chinese
forts was a native OF Japan, and who
had acquired favor In Chinese councils
through A long residence in the tlowery
Kingdom and Intentionally caused the
shots from the suns 10 De misdirected, so
that they would fall short Of the Japan
csc war ships. having betrayed hts adopt
ed land for tho land OF his birth. The
disgraced commander appeared before the
victorious Japanese generals. acknowledge
ed his treason. and committed suicide ID
their presence. The article continues:
when Port Arthur was attacked by
the japanese army and navy, the lat
after getting within suitable range. open
ed fire on the forts near the coast. Inc
batteries on Hwangokin he answered from
heavy guns. These were the strongest
forts az Port Arthur their armament
being four Krupp guns. OF no less than
30-cent. calibre. The squadrons approach
ing within range Of such ordnance eN-
poets 4 terrible cGnnOnadc, and were not
a little astonished by the weakness o.
the Chinese resistance. il IS true tnat
they opened ire on the ships, but their
shells always fell short of the mark. The
sailors supposed this TO be due 70 the
inferior gunnery Of the Chinese. and
greeted each she'll as it dropped into the
sea with loud shouts Of derision.
1.-THE officers however were puzzled ny
a performance 10 them unexplainable. IN
asmuch as they knew that the artillery
in the forts. whatever the faultness OF
its handling. could not possibly lack
force. Meanwhile the celebrated naval
station OF China was stormed from the
land side. and the defenders Of the fort
OH Hwang Ching 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 We're brought before
the Japanese generals. one OF them. APP
parently an officer Of distinction, stepped
forward. and thus addressed the generals:
81 was >the commander of the forts
but now that / have incurred irredeema-
BILE disgrace. l should like 70 ask a
special favor-namely, that 1 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 NOR surprising. IT was
conveyed I'm perfectly correct japanese.
one Of the officers 10 whom he had adj
dressed himself asked him where he had
acquired the japanese language so well.
The prisoner rephed that he was origi-
nally a native Of Higo. whence he crossed
over 10 China many years ago. Subse-
quently. by some chance. he attracted the
attention Of NicerOy ii. who gradually
promoted him. until az last he was APP
pointed commander Of the forts. After
making the confession. the officer Insist
ed upon committing suicide. notwith-
standing the rsmOnsrances Of the Jap
anese generals. Making a profound obei-
sance. he sat down and slew himself ac-
cording 20 the strict canons of the Jap
arese Samurai. The officers were much
struck by the manly conduct. and caused
the remains 10 be Inferred with due
ceremony"