New-York tribune., 1904-08-06


firing was heard yesterday at Petasho from the
direction of Port Arthur.
1t is reported here that VicerOy AleXieff IS
still at Moukden
There persistent rumOrs here from Jap
anese sources that the fall of Port Arthur will
occur within a week but military experts are
of the opinion that a month will elapse before
the Japanese make their final assault.
1t is estimated that there are 100000 Japanese
troops before Port Arthur.
Che-FOo. Aug. IS. A Serebrinik. who was
a passenger on the British steamer Hipsang,
which sunk by Russian torpedo boat in
Pigeon Bay on July Ii, among the ref gees
who arrived here yesterday on the German
steamer Sulbery.
According to his version the fighting before
Port Arthur from July 20 to ~. inclusive. was
directed against the last of the outer defences
namely. VOLTS. Green ana Christ hills situated
north and east of the city. The Japanese capt
ured VOLTS and Green hills. but failed to take
Christ Hill. which the only outpost held
by the Russians when Mr.. Serebrintk lett Port
Arthur. Port Arthur nrWspaper estimated
the Russian loss at 2tN killed and $40 wounded,
the japanese loss at 170U0 killed and wounded
It was also estimated that the japanese fired
1250o0 rounds Of shrapneL The ground was
covered with broken shells The Japanese at
the night of July ~ truce was declared for the
purpose of burying the dead which stre"ed the
hills.
The Russian fleet emerged from the harbor on
July 26 and engaged Admiral Togo, who with
drew to safety beyond his mines. japanese
gunboat struck mine and was damaged, but
not sufficiently to sink her. She was towed
away The Russian warships then retired. one
squadron going to the inner basin. the other he
hind the Tigers Tail, None of them were in
jured.
RUSSIANS BACK IN MAIN FORTS.
The main force of the Russian army defending
/ Port Arthur is now inside the numerous perma-
nent forts which constitute the fortress. They
| have 1000 guns sweeping the plain over which
/ the Japanese must cross. An assault is expected
! on August u There a general confidence
prevailing that the fortress is invulnerable, al
! though the courage of the japanese is described
| as reckless TO an extreme
The japanese are now mounting heavy guns
/ on the positions captured on July IS 1t is
alleged that the Russian battleship Retvizan
! threw a 12-inch shell which hit japanese gun
which was being mounted on Wolf Hill. killing
! many
General Fock who commanded the Russians
| at VOLTS Hill. is reported in Port Arthur
! newspaper to have related an incident Illus
severely wounded soldier being assisted TO
the rear. He was struggling and expostuating.
General Fock said.
what's the matter. brother"
They left my gun and sword for the Japanese
How can I fight when l get wel?"
Lieutenant General StoesseI. who is in chief
command at Port Arthur is a strict discipline
rian. He s feared by the officers and loved by
the soldiers. He arises at daybreak every day
and makes the rounds of the positions.
/ MI Serebruk says he General Stoessei
when leaving Port Arthur. and that nc had not
been wounded. as reported. but his dog had lost
/ q leg Illustrating General Stoessels discipline.
the story is told that discovering some officers
/ at a champagne dinner he ordered the guests
under three days arrest and conhscated the
! viauds
Serebriuik who is Russian. held contracts
/ 10 supply artillery. hut he suspected Of be
ing a spy and was put into prison His informa-
ton regarding conditions at Port Arthur was
derived chiefly from a newspaper.
| CHINESE TELL A DIFFERENT TALE
The accounts of the Chinese refugees differ
from that of Mr.. Serebrnik They say that the
japanese were only two miles from the fortress
when they left. Mail. including newspapers,
was still arriving at Port Arthur.
! The Hipsang was officered by Captain Brad
Mates Smith and Cartwright. all Enelshmen
They are now at Che-Foo They marched
into Port Arthur some in paJamas and some IN
| even less They did not receive any clothing
until the junk which they left Port Arthur
| was stopped by the japanese. who gave them
| every attention. The reason assigned by the
| Russians for sinking the Hipsang. given tC
the Hipsang's officers. that they thought
she japanese vessel. They said that the
Japanese had been flying the British flag.
on July 81 the steamer New -Chwang entered
Port Arthur from New -Chwang. carrying artil-
lcry well as $4,000 shells of various sizes.
The refugees say that the twelve-inch shell
which hit the Japanese gun VOLTS Mountain
was not fired from the batteship RetvIZan. but
from a gun mounted on Peripiolkagah Hill The
shell struck magazine and created havoc
The refugees declare that the 12-inch guns on
board the warships have no difficulty I'm reach
ing VOLTS Mountain while the japanese return
fire falls short Of the city.
japanese troops entered New Chwang on july %
The Russian garrison Withdrew several days befor,
that date These facts and the presence of Japan
warships in the neiEhborng waters make i
seem improbable that munitions could have beer
, sent recently from Newt Chwang to Port Arthur.
FUNERAL OF MRS. MILES TODAY.