The Bourbon news., 1904-08-19
THE BES|EGED PORT.
The japanese Line Drawn Closer
, Around Port Arthur.
Japanese Shells lgnited Lighters in
the Docks Which Contained Sup
plies of Coal, Resulting in
Terrible ConfIagration.


Tsingtau, Aug. 16.-The Russian
battleship Czarovitch and three torpe-
do boat destroyers are now in the
hands of the local German government
for repairs, but it is improbable that
these vessels will fight again in this
war.
Capt. Truphel, chief of the military
and civil administration of the pro-
tectorate of Kiauchau, after having
completed provisions for the neutral
ity of the crews of the Russian war.
ships during their stay here, proceed
ed to go on board the Czarovitch.
The crew Of the battleship was alarm
ed at the advent of Capt Truphels
party and seized their weapons. They
were quickly quieted, however, and
the commander of the CZarovitch was
informed that it was necessary that
the Russian flag be hauled down and
remain down pending the completion
Of the repairs. The Czarovitch's flag
was then lowered, amid impressive
formalities, after which Capt. Truphel
visited each of the three destroyers,
whose flags also were lowered.
Tsingtau, Aug. 17.-Gov. Truphel
Tuesday stated that the Russian ships
would not be permitted to leave the
harbor until after the conclusion Of
the war.
Toxic, Aug. 17.-The emperor's Of
fer to release the non-combatants at
Port Arthur coupled with. a demand
for the surrender was delivered Tues.
day.
Toxic, Aug. 18.-It is reported that
the Port Arthur garrison has refused
to surrender and is disinclined to send
out non-combatants.
Che Foo, Aug. 18.-According to
news which reached here Wednesday
the Japanese line has been drawn still
closer around beleaguered Port Ar
thur. The right wing of the Japanese
line has penetrated to the vicinity Of
Pigeon bay, while the center has
moved forward from Paling Ching,
which is south of Shusiyen and two
miles north of the town.
Passengers on board the steamer
Decima, which anchored off Port Ar
thur Tuesday night, witnessed the
bombardment from Pigeon bay. The
Japanese shells were visible during
their whole course. They circled.
comet-like, to the town and their ex-
plosions were marked by great spalsh-
es of fire which shot up into the sky.
The bombardment from this and 9TH
er points began at midnight and last
ed until morning. The Russians did
not reply to the Japanese fire. Maj.
Seaman, formerly surgeon in the
American army, was passenger on
the Decima. He says the spectacle
was most brilliant and awe-inspiring.
The Decima weighed anchor from Port
Arthur at 5 o'clock Wednesday morn.
ing. At some distance out she saw
five Japanese warships guarding the
harbor.
London, Aug 1S.-According to the
correspondent of the Daily Telegraph
at Che Foo refugees arriving there
bring news of serious condition of
affairs at Port Arthur. They say that
Japanese shells have ignited lighters
in the docks which contained supplies
of coal, resulting in a terrific confia.
grafton. Many of the buildings have
been demolished and the hospitals are
crowded.
London, Aug. 1S.-The Shanghai
correspondent of the Morning Post
says it is reported that a Japanese
squadron is coming there in conse-
quence of the failure as yet to com.
ply with the Japanese demand that the
torpedo boat destroyer Grezovoi be
disarmed or quit the port.
Commenting on the foregoing, the
Morning Post says it thinks the Jap.
anese are not in a mood to stand
much nonsense and points out that
there are now 18 foreign men-of-war
at Shanghai, eight of which are Am.
erican.
eff it comes to a scrimmage," says
the Post, sit will be the duty of these
men-of-war to Keep peace and force
the Taotai to do his duty. A gentle
hint from the American admiral will
doubtless have a quieting effect
A dispatch to the Central News
from Vladivostok, dated August II,
says the cruisers Rossia and Gromo.
boie, of the Valivostok squadron have
returned there.