Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-08-26
JAPS Capture
BIG RUSSIAN FORT
ONE OF THE DEFENsEs OF PORT
ARTHUR REPORTED TO
HAVE FALLEN.
LOCATED IN CENTER
OF THE RUSSIAN LINE
Cars Troops Being Hard-Pressed All
Along the Line-England to In
vestigate stoppage Of Steamer
Comedian Off Natal Coast.

foo under Tuesdays date announcing
that the Japanese captured "Chair
Fort" of the Port Arthur defenses,
Monday, after a tremendous attack
The Evening News dispatch from
Chefoo is simply repetition OF the
announcement of the capture Of Itshan,
or Etseshan, known as 'Chair Fort"
Etseshan fort, according to the maps
Of Port Arthur available, is almost In =
the center of the chain of forts, OF
which it forms one, defending Port
mile and half distant. 1t occupies a
commanding position and is possibly
only second in Importance to the !
Golden Hill forts.
1t was announced from Chefoo Mon
day that the Japanese had swept the
Russians from Pigeon bay and had
captured the northernmost fort OF the
western line of inner defenses, though
Antszshan fort, about a mile northeast |
of Etseshan fort, might also be classed
as the northernmost fort of the west
ern line of inner defenses at Port Ar
thur.
4, Russians Hard Pressed.
J Chefoo, Aug. 24.-According to adj
vices brought here from Port Arthur
by junk, the Japanese were hotly
pressing the Russian center along the
railway and the Russian right in the
vicinity of Golden Hill. These advices
are brought by Chinese who departed
from Taipangtze, which is one mile
from the city near Golden Hill, be-
tween the city and the forts of the
Russian right wing. The Chinese de-
clare that the Japanese occupied Tai
pangtze and penetrated along the rail-
way to Gen. Stoessel's residence on
August 81.
AS this report would indicate that
Port Arthur had all but fallen, the JAP
anese expert attached to the local con-
sulate received the information with
great reserve. The information is &C,
cepted, however, as a confirmation Of
previous reports that the Russians
have been driven from Itshan and
that the Japanese are very close to the
lenses
Z The local Japanese, under the lead
ership of their consul, are subscribing
money and preparing to celebrate the
expected fall of the fortress.
The Chinese who arrived Tuesday
further report that Russian warship
was hit by shell recently and sunk
In the harbor.
A report was cabled several days ago
thnf q o1,phoot NJ tho n&yo; +,,,,o
had been sunk. This is probably the
vessel referred to.
Want Early Report.
Washington, Aug. 24.-Acting Sec
setary of State Adee has cabled Min
lister Conger at Peking request that
he report as soon as possible the facts
concerning the situation at Shanghai.
a similar request also has been ad-
dressed to Consul General Goodnow at
Shanghai, and Consul General Fowler
at Chefoo.
Although no admission on that point
Is yet obtainable it is believed that in
structions either have been sent or
will be sent to Rear Admiral Stirling
to cooperate with the minister and
consuls in the protection of American
interests in the treaty ports.
Jap Legation Pleased.
London, Aug. 24.-The japanese
legation expresses satisfaction at the
denial from Washington that the
United States torpedo boat destroyer
Chauncey had been ordered to inter-
fere with the Japanese operations at
Shanghai The legation added that
Japan cannot permit the anomalous
condition at Shanghai to continue
much longer. The Japanese minister
at Picking and the taotai at Shanghai
are cooperating in urgent representa-
lions which, 1t is hoped, will be eff
kective.
"Japan," declared the legation, will
not consent to partial disarmament,
as in the case of the Ryeshttelni at
Ehefoo. The Russian ships must
either completely disarm or fight"
Orders Investigation.
London, Aug. 24-The foreign Office
has ordered the British officials at
Durham, Natal, to make complete re-
with the reported examination of the
papers of the British steamer Come
dian by Russian auxiliary cruiser of
the South African coast If the report
should confirm that the Smolensk was
the vessel which made the exam.
fnation then vigorous protest will be
made through Ambassador Hardinge.
In any event if a Russian cruiser
actually held up the Comedian the in
nj 1,a IL he
Tesentation, on the ground that the
steamer was SO far away from the
scene of hostilfties that there was not
the slightest reason for her stoppage.
The most important feature of the
incident, however, is the identity OF
the cruiser If the Smolensk actually
examined the Comedians papers she,
according to the British officials, VIC
dated the assurances given by the Rus
sian government that neither she nor
the st. Petersburg would be used again
rs men-of-war
II The Russian embassy has not been
edvised of the overhauling of the
Comedian and is inclined to doubt, il
1t occurred, that the Smolensk was
connected with it In view of the spe-
Eiac instructions issued by the ad-
miralty at st. Petersburg. SO far as
official information is concerned the
matter is SO hazy that 1t is conceded in
both diplomatic circles and at the for
etgn Office that it is desirable to OBJ
tain all the facts before formally rails
ing question which may develop into
IN important international dispute.