Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-09
HEAVY JAPANESE LOSS
DETAILS OF RECENT FIGHTING AT
PORT ARTHUR.
Particulars Gained From the News
paper Observation-Disclosures Of
an Entire Column.

CHEFOO September 9.-The Port Arthur
Novakrai of August 30 gives some details
of the recent fighting in front of the be-
leaguered fortress. At am. August q.
during a severe attack. Colonel Kirirkof.
commanding the 14th Regiment. ordered a
detachment to remove the dead and care
for the wounded near an unnamed fort
on the east flank. When within rifle dis
lance of the Japanese the Russians hoisted
a Red Cross flag. The Japanese gave in
viting signs with their caps. whereupon
the Russians, thinking that all was well.
continued forward. However, when the
detachment had reached these dead the
Japanese opened fire on them, fatally
wounding a petty officer. The Russian de-
tachment thereupon retired. Captain
Spanoff, who commanded the detachment,
thinking that the Japanese had mistakenly
fired, and seeing further reckoning signs
by the Japanese ordered the detachment
out second time. The Red Cross nag
was again hoisted. but the Japanese again
fired and wounded one private. The de-
tachment again retired and the attempt
to remove the dead was abandoned
August q there was little fighting on
the west flank. The Japanese had two
companies entrenched at Shatsiatung. The
Russian artillery opened severe fire on
them and diSmounted two of their guns,
but the Japanese held their position. At
Fort No. % on the east flank. using field
batteries posted at the left of Eagle Nest
Hill. The Japanese batteries were we'll
scattered and hidden and eventually fired
on Eagle Nest Hill and Rocky Hill. At
3 pm. the Japanese sheled Battery No. B.
1t was observed by the Russians that the
Japanese were building a battery to the
left of Orphan mountain. At pm. bat
teries were posted on this position by the
Japanese and firing was begun. The firing
directed chiefly against Kurgan fort
All night the Japanese bombarded along
the whole east front. directing their fire
against the roads behind the batteries.
with the evident intention Of destroying
the roadways by which guns can be re-
moved In case the Russians are driven
from the forts.
A Peculiar Contrast.
On August % peculiar contrast to the
war-like proceedings on the east flank was
presented on the west flank by the Chi
nese. who had resumed work in the fields
as though war did not exist. The Chinese
who have grown accustomed to the f1r-
ing paid no attention to the Russian fire.
which was directed nearly altogether from
a battery northwest of Division Hill.
There was no fighting on the west flank
the night of August %. At O'Clock In
the morning Of August % the Russians.
posted on a high mountain. opened fire on
the Japanese concealed in the corner of
tered. Chinese report the death at Chao-
chanko of an active and intelligent Japan
csc general, but the Novakrai was unable
to learn the generals name
The Japanese control Palichuang, but
only small detachments are seen there at
dawn each morning. They apparently only
occupy the place as a light outpost. The
Chinese report that oats and straw for
the Japanese horses are getting scarce.
The Japanese ammunition depot at Litun-
gau has been destroyed by Russian shells.
From August q to August % the Rus
slams buried. under severe fire, 100 decom-
posing Japanese bodies on the northeast
front In order to prevent a pestilence. A
letter reaching Chefoo from Port Arthur
says the Russians are distilling sea water.
as the Japanese have cut off the reservoirs
in the Itczshan hills.
The last copy of the Novakrai which has
reached here shows evidence of an increas-
ing severity of the Russian censorship.
Although it mentions that the Japanese
have occupied new positions, 1T does not
tell how they secured them.
A small sheet issued September by the
Novakrai a breakage in the press having
made 1t impossible to issue a full edition.
relates the following: