Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-31
JAPANESE CLOSING IN
Battle Is Fieroely Raging
Around Port Arthur.
RUSSIANS DRIVEN BACK
LONG PREPARATION MADE FOR
TILE ASSAULT.
Assailants Aiming Merely to Advance
Their Lines Nearer to the
Beleaguered City.
RUSSIANS DRIVEN BACK

Dispatches from Chefoo describe desper-
ate and continuous fighting at Port Arthur,
but beyond the general statement that the
besiegers have occupied number of posi-
tions no details of the progress of the at
tack are given.
Dispatches from Manchuria today indicate
that battle is imminent A significant
movement of Japanese troops to the east
ward is reported. and a heavy artillery fire
is being directed by the Japanese against
the Russians on Lone Tree HILL
CHEFOO, October 31.-The general as
sault upon Port Arthur which began in a
preliminary way October "a developed into
fiercely raging battle yesterday, when,
according to a hitherto infallible authority,
the japanese flung heavy forces against the
fortress in their third attempt to obtain a
commanding position.
steamer which has just arrived here
from Niuchwang reports having heard
heavy firing at Port Arthur last night and
today. until she out of earshot, indicat-
ing a continuance of the battle.
Climax of Long Preparations.
The Japanese have been preparing for
this assault for month 1t is believed
that the japanese did not expect to capture
the town on this oCcas on. but to accom-
plish another important forward step. This
plan was adopted following the first as
sault. when thousands of lives were sac
rificed in an attempt to swarm over the
forthcations by mere force of numbers re-
gardless of loss.
This assault like the previous one. was a
elm actic incident If weary weeks of trench
digging gun-mounting and small engage
meUts.
In the opinion of experts the assault will
cease when the Japanese have secured such
positions as will enable them to creep stead
lily closer under the noses of the Russian
guns 1t is believed that two more general
assaults will be necessary before the dis
tance between the belligerent lines is suf-
fciently shortened to make an attempt to
enter the main forts and make the end of
the sege practicable.
Opened With Artillery.
On October "a, having made every posi-
bic preparation. the Japanese opened fire
with their artillery along the whole line
incidentally continuing their daily practice
of dropping shells into the harbor.
The Russians replied. the sounds, as of
distant thunder. telling the Inhabitants of
Port Dalny that the long-expected assault
on the fortress was imminent. The bonn
bardment continued furiously until the af-
ternoon of October &C. when the Russian
guns on Else mountain, Antse mountain
and Rihlung mountain became briefly
silent.
At o'clock that afternoon a regiment
of Japanese swept out from behind a re-
Gently captured hill adjacent to Rihlung
mountain and advanced on the Russian
trenches lying between Rihlung mountain
and the railroad, occupying them after
hours of fighting. The Russians stuck to
their posts until the Japanese were within
few yards, both sides hurling hand gren-
ades at each other The Japanese infantry
are now using mechanical devices which en-
able them to throw grenades with great
accuracy and rapidity.
The Assault.
In the meanwhile another body OF Jap
anese assaulted the trenches on the slope
of Rihlung mountain. The Japanese trench
es extended to certain portions of the slope
and stopped some distance above the ex-
treme Japanese outpost, where the ascent
of Rihlung mountain became almost per-
pendicular. The Russian trenches scanned
the slope. To advance against them over
an unbroken slope, which was mined, even
without Russian resistance. would have
been a difficult task. but the slope had
been torn up, great holes having been
blown in it at various places by the bonn
bardment, and the japanese availed them
selves of these indentations. which offered
bullets
In the meanwhile the fire of all their
available artillery was directed against the
Russian trenches, the Russians eventually
retiring, whereupon the Japanese in thirty
minutes constructed trenches sufficient to
shield themselves. The Russians exploded
mines, but, the Japanese claim, without
result.
Exhibited Remarkable Goodness.
One company of Japanese engaged in this
fight aroused general complimentary COM
ment for It's remarkable cooIness, executing
the various maneuvers for the purpose of
securing shelter with automatic exactness
as II on parade Upon the retirement of
their troops the Russians opened fire from
Lat mountain, and that night they made
Sorue But the Japanese had in the
meanwhile brought up machine guns, with
which the sortie was repulsed.
Except for the knowledge that the bonn
bardment was. continued all information
covering the period between October - and
October % is lacking. but presumably IT is
much of the same character as that lust de-
scrlbed the Japanese operations gradually
assuming the proportions of the general at
tack Of yesterday. The fighting is reported
TO have been most severe from Rihlung
mountain down along the whole east SIDE
of the town.
Stoessel Still Determined.
The stories of Russian prisoners vary con-
cerning the garrison affairs, but they agree
however. I'm saying they have often been
disappointed. General Stoessel has been
erdeavoring to cheer them by promising the
early advent OF the Russian second Pacific
squadron and relief from General Kuropat-
Kin. The constant failure of these hopes
10 materialize depressed the soldiers Stoes-
sci is quoted as saying that while thou
81 nd men were left he would not surrender
Owing TO the constant sheiling of Port
Arthur the Russian ships there maintain
low pressure steam so as to enable them
frequently to change their positions Since
October the Retvzan, Poitava and Peres-
Wet have often been hit, and one steamer
used in sweeping for mines was sunk One
gun of the Electric Hill battery and one on
Marble Hin have been dsmounted by Japa-
nese shells.
The local Japanese are jubilant over the
Port Arthur situation.
The crew of the Russian torpedo boat de-
stioyer Ryeshitelni, cut out of this harbor
August IL by the Japanese are preparing
TO go to Shanghai ard join the crew of the