New-York tribune., 1904-09-11
TO ASSAII.. KIRWAN HILL.
Japanese Bending Eaergies to Take
~ Port Artbur Forts. -

e,be-Foo. Sept. ,lo--CieneFal- Nogf's- next as
sa,tt on Port Arthur will be directed chiefly
AGAINST Rihlung-Shan and ktkwan-Shan torts'
which are the strongest on the northeast flank.
This information is derived from an nndoubred
authority who has just finished visit over the
Japanese line around the forts and conversed
with the japanese officers who allowed HIM 20
make personal observatons-- ---.e
The elevation OF Rihlung-Shan is $50 feet
Three hundred, yards away on, the same range
IS another hill so much lower that Rihlung-shan
protects ii from bonabardHent. except from Tiz-
shan and Kikyan-Shan This NH is part OF. a
section which the. Chinese call 'Pali-chwans' IN
the capture of which the japanese lost SO many
KTes Here the Japanese have strengthened
tive forts previously mentioned in -'ths- sols-
patches as having been established. iris po-
sition is the foundation for the. japanese prep
STATIONS for-tie next assault
The work; of constructing trenches is advsnc-
ing rapidly, considering the fire which the dig
gers are compelled to,endure, Preparations FOR
the assault on Kikwan-Shan are proceeding In a
similar fashion. although the japanese in the
nearest battery bearing directly on. this fort
are somewhat more distant than those at Palir
Chwang from Rihlung-Shan-asF The range of'hllls
crowned by Kikwan-Shan and Rihlung-Shan
have Irregular slopes, enabling large force OF
Japanese TO rest. .securely some distance up the
slope.
The Japanese have tents pitched. and they
are relieved every three days. EFood ana 'azn@
rnunitioIi and other supples.an brought them
at night only for the reason that the detach-
rnents are Obliged TO cross Level streten De pc
fore reaching a place Of safety The JdpaileSe
trenches. almost under the noses Of the Russians
TOW. are partially constructed The- RUSSIANS
endeavor constantly 20 level the incline, shelling
F.F I'D dSt7e n
anese. who in turn bombard.- to. prevent the
Russians from succeeding
INGENIOUS. PLANS FOR THE ASSAULT
There seems little doubt that the assault OF
Rihluugshan, an,and Kikwanshsn will be the most
trying one the Russians have yet resisted.
Everything which ingensitys ean suggest is be-
tng done by the japanese to render the attack
successful particular attention being paid TO
measures which will enable the japanese to re-
ssin. The forts in the event that they capture
them.
,4,p r-,-vtF3s-aaees to be employed are
numerous heavy portable Shields. which htrve
been constructed at Dalny. Guns and shields
viii be moved as closely together as possible
through the trenches before the assault Is maze
in order that they may be quickly hauled TO the
summit when the forts are taken. 49,,
Twp full divisions available in this Vlcln-
entire Japanese force now Surrounding Port
Arthur is estimated at $1,000 lighting men, The
Russians are now using exclusively powder. evi-
dentIy manufactured ST Port Arthur. The smoke
from the powder enables an instant detection
OF the source of the fire. The explosive power
~ the powder Is TAR less than that Sdf, ssadke'
less powder, which the Russians seem tofhaTe
exhausted The RussisSs. shells are frequent
ly discovered TO be old Chinese affairs filed
down 10 fit the Russian guns
The japanese plan for the coming assault does
not, It is understood. include an assault .chfitse-
shan. The nature of the ground, the japanese
have found at severe cost, prevents a success
.ul issue. Itse-shan. however. VIII. .itsls said,
be engaged by artillery from Louisa Bay end
Shu-Shi-Yen, for the purpose Of attracting its
fire away from the main attack (. - =
The information of The Associated Press
Quotes Argentine colenelr who js..wlth the
Japanese@as saying tlffst+lae Russian defenees
facing ire Japaisse have been made with a
perfection undreamed of. The inner sides of the
Sorts FnoESeVer; are nor well constructed, and
are supposedly far weaker.
With Rfhlung-shan and Kikwan-shan capt
ured. the japanese win practically contrib an
entrance along the railroad, and they coptem-
plate assahlting othef forts ftofrf their weaker
sides. 9Fs seror. - = = T-E
LI1Aks+AA0tA<tN--tti A74AAez t't~aL s@-NNA@A7'
The japanese say they. are prepared to lose
heavily in taking Rihlung-Sbah and Kikwan-
Shan. These forts. like majority OF the fifty
four surrounding Port ArthpE,. have 6-inch
steel shields loapRoled with RAPID fire guns al
intervals These guns. according to the Asso--
clated Presss ipforpalon. not the land sinss,
have proved most dissstroGs,-to the Japahese.
The shields are-tmperEtous 70 field artillery.
Noching except siege guns VIII make an irilpres-
sion. On 'taeIn
The Russians also send strong electric cur
rents through the wire ENHANCEMENT surrounds
ing the forts. a.rxe .svs, =.
:Fhe.. press. correepcsrdeats Eyith the; Japanese
are -tSe miles frafai S1z sfr.nts ana! the hiny
ground prevents them from seeing anything.
The lighting since August 81 .has been unirn-
portant THE JapanesS bsisssrd daily in the
morning when the sun assists them in aiming.
The Russians reply in the afternoon. when the
sun Is in their favor,
The japanese losses.for the last nge weeks are
placed at 10000. The Japanese Authority for the
foregoing statement os .scoHdsieEs before Port
Arthur says that i;s publication will not be
hsFrnfui as the -JepaNess psepara tons are fully
.evfdsnt to The xItffsglins. EsH5s gysf i
- ~ ~ bfp = Tssss frd a n,,,z
die have arrived here to-day They do not ex-
peet toiretsIrn foitiesSuset. Behtet Burleigh Il
EXPECTED here scon. -