Abilene weekly reflector., 1904-03-03
Port Arthur Furiously Bombarded
by Fifteen Warships.
RUSSIAN VESSELS BADLY DAMAGED.



London, March IA dispatch to tn
Daily Telegraph from Yin Kow datet
February 20 says: Fifteen Japanes,
warships furiously bombarded Por
Arthur from ten until ~ o'clock thii
morning. The Russian cruisers Novik
Askold and Bayan, accompanied By
four torpedo boats, steamed out tc
meet the attack. They were, however
forced to retire. The Askold was in
a sinking condition. The Novik was
badly damaged and torpedo boat was
sunk. The Russian ibattleship Retvi-
zan was again damaged. The Japanese
withdrew in good order.
This report shows, a repetition of the
now familiar tactics of Japan and 1t is
presumed that this attack was made
in bad weather, previous telegraphic
advices having reported a severe gale
raging at Port Arthur. AS usual, the
Japanese did not remain long enough
off the harbor to enable the gunners at
the forts to get their range. Again,
also, the same three cruisers, the Bay
an, the Askold and the Novik came out
to, meet the attack and this suggests
that either they were the only effective
ships there or that the larger battle
ships were unable to get out.
According to report from st. Pc
tersburg body of Cossacks from the
south Ussuri province, with quick
firing guns, is advancing along the east
coast Of Korea to prevent the landing
Of the main Japanese army and the
comment Is made that possibly the re-
ported Japanese landing at Possiet
bay may have been made with the
intention OF attacking this force.
A dispatch from Shanghai to the
Daily Chronicle says the Russians are
transferring the guns from the dis
abled ships at Port Arthur to the
forts there.
A dispatch from Chefoo to the
Standard dated February 20 says q
Japanese cruiser and torpedo boat en-
tered that harbor without lights at |
one o'clock on the morning of the |
29th and 1t is believed they embarked |
the Japanese who took refuge there |
after the attempt to bottle up Port |
Arthur.
A correspondent Of the Times at
Wei-Hai-Wei, cabling under date Of
February 20, says: "A Japanese fleet
was seen of the Shantung coast this
morning" A Toxic correspondent Of
the Times cables that the steamers
sunk by the Japanese on either side
Of the Russian battleship Retvizan at
Port Arthur partially obstructed the
entrance to the harbor.
Brave Words Of Russian General.
Port Arthur, March 1.-Gen. Stoes-
sel, commander of the garrison here,
has issued general order directing
he attention Of the troops and inhab-
tants to the fact that the Japanese in
end to land and seize the fortress. The
seneral declares the Japanese consider
he seizure of Port Arthur to be n
question Of national honor and from
heir obstinate attacks and lombard
nents of the fortress and bay he can
'nly conclude that the enemy will
make every effort to capture the for ,
ress, failing IN which the Japanese
1ill destroy the railroad and with
raw. THE enemy, however," pro-
eeds the general order, is mistaken.
'ur troops know and the inhabitants
re herewith informed by me that we
ill not yield. We must fight to the !
nish, as l, the commandant, will !
ever give the order to surrender. :
all on all to become convinced Of
he necessity Of fighting to the death.
hose who leave without fighting will 7.
OF save themselves. There is no way
ut On three sides there is the sea
nd on the fourth will be the enemy. :