Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-08-04

the rumors of the storming and fall of
Port Arthur the general staff author
lied the Associated Press to declare
positively that not single position
forming the land defenses of Port
Arthur has yet fallen into the enemy's
hands and that the besiegers are no.
where nearer than eight or ten miles
from the fortress. The general staff
also declared that the recent lombard
ments were nothing more than prelim-
inaries TO an attempt to capture one
of the outer positions, probably Lun.
vantan, to the east. If the Japanese
shall succeed in taking positions they
will have to bring up siege guns under
thanking fire from adjoining posi-
tons and from the cruisers sent out
for this purpose. If this task proves
possible then only will the Japanese
be able to lombard the fortress itself
and prepare for final assault.
Prize Court Inquiry.
Vladivostok, JUly 31-The prize
court here will begin today an exam
ination into the case of the steamer
Arabia, seized by the Vladivostok
squadron. The German captain of
the steamer declares that when the
j American companies in Portland
hired the boat he did not know that
he was expected to carry contraband
material. He protested when he dis
covered the nature of his cargo, as
did also the Hamburg company which
!, owned the boat. The American char.
terers assured them, however, that
!. there was no danger of capture, as
the Vladivostok squadron was not
near her route. If this is confirmed
in court the vessel and cargo will
, probably be confiscated.
Pressing Port Arthur Hard.
: Chefoo, July 31.-Many of the better.
: class residents of Port Arthur are ar
/ irving here. They state that the Jap
/ anese are pressing close on the for
: tress Very serious fighting took place
> July rs, rs and 81. The Japanese made
? several advances and appeared deter
: mined to press a general assault. On
} account of the severity of the fighting
: and Chinese reports to the effect that
r general assault was intended the
refugees made instant preparations for
, departure.
Assault in Last Stages.
Officials of the Russo Japanese bank
are among the refugees. The social
status and intelligence of these people
is guaranty that their story that the
fortress is being hard pressed is true.
There is no doubt that there was SER
ious fighting on July 25, 26 and q, and
1t is highly probable that the Japanese
are fighting their way over the last
stages for a general assault on the in,
ner citadel and its outworks.
Large Numbers Of Wounded.
According to the refugees all the
public buildings in the city, including
the large hotel, are being utilized as
hospitals. Rickshaws and all the pub
lie and private carriages are being
used to transport the wounded into the
fortress. Most of the deaths are from
artillery wounds. 1t is impossible to
estimate the number of wounded In
the hospitals but it is large. Two
Russian officers bearing communica-
ton from General Kuropatkin arrived
at Port Arthur recently with the news
of the evacuation of Newchwang.
Fleet in Fighting Order.
With the exception of the Sevasto-
pol which is expected to be finished
within week, the Russian feet in the
harbor is in fighting order. Two Ger
man officers, one French and one
American constitute the staff of naval
and military observers in Port Arthur.
The American Is Capt McCalla OF the
United States navy, whose health is to
all appearances good, but who is not
allowed the privileges given his con-
| ferees.
Fleet Afraid to Venture Out.
1t is reported that the inactivity OF
the Russian feet is due to the hope
that the Vladivostok squadron's opera
tons may induce Togo TO divide his
/ fleet. 1t is also said that even II the
/ feet should make a successful sally
/ from the harbor and engage the Japan
csc ships that the numerous mines
placed close to the harbor mouth by
both belligerents might disastrously
interfere with the Russian vessels on
attempting to re-enter the harbor.
Wait for Fall Of Fortress.
Japanese correspondents in this city
have had junks and agents waiting
among the Miaotao islands since July
26 ready to enter Port Arthur when
the fortress falls. 1t is supposed they
have inside information as 70 the i'm
minence of that event