Evening star., 1904-03-23
COMMENT ON ATTACKS
Cars Officials See Benefit in
Jap Assaults.
WEAKEN ENEMY'S GUNS
MAKARoFF COMMENDED FOR Ex-
ERCISING SELF-REsTRAINT.
Japanese Tactics Regarded as Prelim-
mary to Landing on Peninsula to
Cut Off Port Arthur.
WEAKEN ENEMY'S GUNS

ST. PETERSBURG, March %, LII p.m.-
further details of yesterdays attack on
Fort Arthur are expected during the day,
but nothing in the way of private or news
paper dispatches supplementing the official
accounts has been received up to the pres
ent time.
According to the information here there
now exists complete embargo upon news
paper dispatches direct from Port Arthur.
The military authorities seem to manifest
no displeasure at the Japanese tactics yes
terday On the contrary, they declare that
such bombardments only wear out the guns
and machinery of the ships and waste am
munition without compensating advantages
Insignificant Damage.
They point to the comparatively insignifl-
cant damage done by the bombardments
of Santiago by the American fleet as proof
of their futility. From the positions taken
by the japanese the latter could not see
either the town or the batteries. The range
was from six to eight miles, with a high
angle of fire, and precision was impossible.
Although the general target was large only
a lucky chance could really damage the
batteries ships So far as known the
japanese accomplished nothing yesterday.
On the other hand, the Russians had bet
ter luck, a shell from the battle ship Retvi-
zan, which was firing over the hill landing
on one of the Japanese battle ships. OF
course, it is admitted that these pot shots
are trying to the garrison.
Vice Admiral Makaroff the naval COM
mander at Port Arthur, is being commend
ed for his self-restraint In not risking his
ships in an engagement with the enemy.
Russian Position Defined.
prominent Russian admiral explained
TO the correspondent of the Associated
Press how absolutely essential conserva-
tism on the part of the Russian naval COM
mander at Port Arthur was at present. He
said:
IF Admiral Makaroff. whose disposition
would be to go out and meet the enemy,
should give battle upon the approach of the
japanese and defeat them his victory would
be fruitleSs, as necessarily it would be pur
chased by some injuries to ships. and our
lack of adequate docking facilities at Port
Arthur would render it impossible to reft
them, whereas the japanese have ample
docks in which to repair their vessels.
The feeling here is that the japanese
tactics are preliminary to a landing on the
peninsula in attempt to cut off Port
Arthur, simultaneously with general bonn
bardment and commencement of a siege.
For this the Russians declare they are fully
During the last ten days a general shut
Shutting Off News.
During the last ten days a general shut
ting down upon newspaper kilograms from
the far east has been noticeable. This is
owing to increased precautions to prevent
the enemy from obtaining news of the
movements of the Russian troops.
The Russians being massed in force
along their first line from Feng-H -Huang-
Cheng northward for thirty miles, while
their second lire extends from Mukden to
Hai-Cheng-
All the rolling stock required for use in
the far east has now crossed Lake Ba1kal.
The last locomotive was taken over yes
terday. Prince khilkoff. the minister of
public works and railroads, who has been
Baikal in a few days.
Forty trucks of grain reach Port Arthur
daily.
Fortifying Kin-Chow.
The correspondent of the Novi-Kari of
Port Arthur, who is proceeding to the
Yalu river, writes that he saw crowds of
Chinese coolies throwing up earthworks on
the frowning, impregnable heights at Kin
that the Russians are determined to re-
sist the Japanese attempt to land On the
neck of the Liao-Tung peninsula.
The correspondent adds that the Chinese
officials, who had Invariably made official
calls on the occasions of the Russian and
Chinese new year, failed to do so this year
believing that the Japanese are going to
drive out the Russians.
They take a different view now however,
owing to the failure of the japanese to
rush things, as evidenced by the fact that
all the native hack drivers are carrying