The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-14
(Continued from First Pagel

fairly mobbed by people eager to buy
the extras
The members of the general staff do
not oHer explanations OF what Admiral
AieNlcH means by Japanese sources,
out they declare that the vicerOy would
hot nave officially reported such impor-
taht news unless ii had reached him
from sources entirely worthy of ere
dence. At the same time they say the
report should be accepted with reserve,
vices.
Togo's Report.
But in support of the report they point
out that the date comedies with the sec
ond attempt Of Admiral Togo's torpedo
boat destroyers to creep into the harbor.
1t is true that Togo does not mention
land attack, but this is not his prov
ince
The loss Of 10000 of the besiegers in
an attack against fortihcations with
guns in position and the approa ches
sown with mines is considered to be
quite within the range of possibility, if
the Japanese. as on other occasions.
stormed the fortifications with their ac-
customed recklessness, and especially if
the mines were exploded under masses
of men. The general staff already had
information that the besiegers had oc-
cupied Taku-Shan Hin, three miles
northeast of the harbOr but add that
position.
In Desperate Straits.
II the report of the loss Of 10000 Jap
anese is confirmed, General Nodzu's
army is in desperate straits. as Gener-
al StoesseI viii not fail to take advau-
tage of such a reverse and follow It up.
The admiralty believes that Rear All
miral Withoft's squadron is rendering
effective aid in the defense of Port Ar
thur by impeding the construction of
batteries near the eastern approaches
OF the fortress by going out and Smelling
the Japanese works under construction
for this purpose. The expedition of Sat
urday is believed TO have been of this
nature. The bringing up of siege guns
10 an effective range can thus be ma
terlally retarded. This probably is the
reason the squadron has not left Pert
Arthur and is not likely 10 do so unless
the fall of the fortress becomes newt
able.
Situation Improved.
The admiralty considers that the naval
situation has greatly improved and sees
evidence of the Japanese fleets showing
signs of exhaustion. The officials Lere
think that Admiral Togo, with the
knowledge that he will have to fight
without the cooperation of the army
in storming Port Arthur. has become
ships, and that at present he will under
take operations of secondary Importance
only. like a pursuit Of the VladivOstok
squadron and cooperation with land
forces at Niuchwang.
Heavily Defeated.
a special dispatch received from Muk-
den last night, dated July p repeats
the story of a japanese repuIse at Port
Arthur with the loss of 10000. The dis
patch says:
News has been received from reliable
sources that the Japanese third army
on the night of July II attacked Port
Arthur and was heavily defeated, an
immense number being killed by Rus
sian mines. The total loss is about 3d.
OO0."
There was great anxiety throughout
St. Petersburg all this evening for Lur-
Their details Of the reported disa 1t
has developed that the official report
which was al first supposed to emana -
directly from Viceroy Alexe'efT, was not
specifically fathered by him, but was
given out as a report reaching his
headquarters from Japanese sour ces. -
What these sources are has not yet been
explained Possibly the report was in
tercepted by wireless telegraphy, but il
- - . IL cam So r. =
Russian consul at Chefoo, or ~ R.
sian consul at Tien-Tsin.
A full report on the subject from Lieu
tenant General Stoessel, commander OF
the military forces at Port Arthur, Is
awaited with the greatest interest.