The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1904-08-22
JAPS MASS FORCES
Concentrate In Final Effort TO
Capture Port Arthur.
ST. PETERSBURG CONFIDENT

Russians Believe That In Spite Of ia.
pans Mighty onsIaughts Long, In
definite Siege viii Result = Main
Fortress Now Said to Be Threatened.
Chefu, Aug 22.-According to the
japanese consul general at Tientsin,
II. N. Ijuin. who has just arrived
here on the British steamer Peehill and
who had a conversation lasting forty
minutes with the commander of Jap
anese torpedo boat destroyer which
oyerhauled the steamer OFF Liautong
promontory, the battle now raging at
Port arthur is directed against the
main fortress itself. 1t is taking place
along the entire line, and it is Japans
supreme effort, TO which the recent
battles we're but preliminary contests.
Consul General Ijuin further said
Il firmly believe that Port Arthur
will soon be in our hands. one after
the other the outer defenses have been
taken By the Japanese, and when the
latter had completed their preparations
for the grand assault General stoessel
was asked e surrender, lie refused.
Now comes the final test
Late advices from Port Arthur say
that palnngchang. although retaken
by the Russians, has not been occupied
BY either side. The Russian batteries
have contented themselves with pre-
venting the Japanese from reoccupying
this position and planting guns which
would command the Russian warships
in the harhOr.
Russian naval officers believe that the
japanese battleship sIikasa was sunk
ID the engagement Of Aug. 10 They
declare that while the japanese con-
centrated their fire on the Cesarevitch
the Russians centered theirs on the Mi
kasa, Admiral Togo's flagship.
1t was the Mikasa which the Retyi-
zan tried to ram during the fight. The
Retvizan had been receiving severe
punishment, and her captain suddenly
gave an order to steer into the midst
Of the Japanese vessels and head for
the Mikasa.
Retvizan's Great Fight
So fully surrounded was the Retvizan
that ut Que time she was using every
one of her guns One japanese shot
rendered her tnrret unavoidable, but
repairs We're made IN ten minutes.
The Russian warships which returned
to Port Arthur declare that Admiral
Withoft's last order was to return to
Port Arthur, This disagrees with a pre-
vious statement from KiaochaH alleg-
ing that the admirafs last order was
not TO return
Commercial business at Port Arthur
is said to be al a complete standstill.
The people are living in bomb proof
houses.
A belief on both sides of the contend
ing forces that the other side is abus-
ing the Red Cross has led TO the feel
ing that that emblem Is Of little pro
lection. The Russians assert that the
japanese use the dag TO cover recon
noitering parties.
Fire on Red Cross Flag.
Recently i russian sharpshooter no
tlced japanese officer and party OF
fifteen carrying Red Cross flag. He
reported that be believed the Japanese
were shamming that they were wound
ed The Russian officer in command
gave the sharpshooter permission TO
fire on them
The sharpshooter killed or wounded
all Of them AS fast as one dropped
the Red Cross nag another one picked
it up.
The Russians declare that Takushan
II doing the japanese but little good,
as they are frequently driven from that
position BIZ artillery fire. They also
are unable to mount guns.
Among the buildings in Port Arthur
that have been destroyed by shells are
the Russian church and Clarkson &
Sons American warehouse.