Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-08-24
BreathIessly Thinks of
Port Arthur Fate.
Popular Feeling That the Place
Is Doomed.
Reports from Che Foo Report the Japs
Holly Pressing the Inner Forts
Jap Troops Now Only Mile from
the Fort.

st. Petersburg, Aug. 24.-3 A. NJ
! With all Russia hanging breathlessly
on the fate Of Port Arthur even such a
national event as the christening OF
the Czarevitch is robbed Of much Of
the prominence which would otherwise
be accorded to it, and St. Petersburg.
tonight, is dim and silent with no sign
Of festivity.
Although the fairylike grounds of
Peternof are gay with flags and decora-
tons. in readiness for tomorrow's cele-
| bration. and though the great palac.
is filed with distinguished guests, the
scene resembles more one OF a weighty
| international conference than that of
| a gathering of merry makers.
The capital, tonight Is filled with
sinister rumors OF Port Arthur's des-
perate straits. The superstitious are
predicting the fall OF the fortress on
the day Of the baptism Of the Care
witch. but this is easily traceable to the
fact that several big Russian reverses
have occurred on Russian fete days.
| 1t Is reported that a message was re-
ceived from Lieut.. Gen. Stoessel, to-
night. which was sent from Port Ar
thur on the night of Aug. %. by way OF
che Foo. saying that ad esperate as
sault by the Japanese had been in pro-
gress during the previous 4S hours. No
confirmation of this report can be had.
While the general staff does not con-
ceal its anxiety. the best military au-
thorities have not abandoned the hope
that Gen. Stoessel Will be able to hold
out.
This more hopeful view Is somewhat
borne out by an official dispatch from
Lao Yang saying that in two-days'
'assault--on Aug. 19 and 20-the attack
ers. like their predecessors, were beat
en- off with heavy loss
The situation at Lao Yang itself is
quiet. but the improving weather re-
presses the renewal OF military aetiv-
ity 1t is believed that II Gen. Kuropat-
kin is contemplating a diversion In ia
vor of Port Arthur It will not be long
delayed.
Conservative critics. while they are not
chary in giving the japanese due militia
ry credit for past performances. say in
plain language that the pace is too fast
and that every day Gen. Stoessel holds
out will render the Japanese position
about Lao Yang more precarious. Even
the most sangune. however, admit the
gravity Of the situation from the Rus
sian point of view. and the most serious
news from the front would not be re-
ceived with great surprise
st. Petersburg. Aug. 23.-11.15 p. M
1t is impossible at this hour to obtain
precise information as to whether II
was the Russian volunteer fleet steam
er Smolensk or another Russian cruis-
or which Overhauled the British steam
er Comedien off the South African
coast on Sunday last.
The war commission states that no
official report has been received and
the commission considers It highly i'm
probable that the vessel was the Smo-
lcnsk. The opinion IL held that Il was
more likely the auxiliary cruiser Don.
which is regularly commissioned as
war vessel and In this event the mem-
bers of the war commission declare
that no country can possibly take ex-
ception to the exercise OF the right of
search by this ship.
London. Aug. 23.-3.35 p. M.-The
Evening News. this afternoon. pub
lished dispatch from Che Foo under
today's date. announcing that the Jap
anese captured "Chain Fort OF tho
Port Arthur defences yesterday, after
n tremendous attack
Toxic. Aug. 23-S p. Mo.-Upon
further investigation It has been learn
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