The Irish standard., 1904-12-24
ADMITS Damage
TO RUSSIAN Ships
BUT OFFICIALS AT ST. PETERS
BURG DECLARE SEVERAL
STILL SEAWORTHY.
A BITTER CHAPTER IN
HISTORY OF THE WAR
Story Of Sailing of japanese Squadron
Considered Incorrect and Spread
for Purpose-capture of Fort Is
Held Un;lnportant.

st. Petersburs Dec. 22.-While de-
cliniLs 10 give Gclliis. the admiralty ad-
mits that Russian uINices from Port
Arthur sent by Cen. Stoessal suDstan-
TALLY confirmed the japanese atiNices Of
the partial wreckins of the Russian
ships in the harbor, and the censor has
been instructed 10 permit the pubiica-
ton CT the dispatches. 1t is claimed
that several of the larger ships and 4
respectable number Of torpedo boat &C.
stro, ers are still seawurthy, but they are
not being considered as factor in the
coming fight between Admiral Toao's
ships and the Russian second Pacific
squadron.
A Bitter Chapter.
The whole series of mislortunes which
has attended the Port Arthur squadron
is a bitter chapter in Russian naval an
nails. bat sirce the arrival of the latest
advices there has been less disposition
to criicise Rear Admiral Wiren's fail
ure to make a sortie. Gen. StuCssel hay
ing decided that further defense of the
fortress would be impossible, if the
touiS vi NiiV w tai Sii 10 tiiiu Nlit ''I'iioi y
landed were reembarked. Had the
ships been able TO go out unGer the con-
Gitions existing they would have been
at the mercy OF the Japanese and have
been sacrificed without hope Of inilict-
ing commensurate damage. Ii the fort
ress is relieved it is believed that most
OF the ships will be raised and saved.
The report that a Japanese squad
ron of 40 vessels had already sailed to
meet the second Pacific squadron is re-
gardcd al the admiralty here as being
incorrect. and circulated for purpose.
Capture of Fort Unimportant.
Military critics here do not attach Vi
tai Importance to the capture of the
north fort of Keekwan mountain. They
declare it is NOT part of the main line
OF defenses of Port Arthur, and there
fore is without direct influence on the
fate of the fortress.
Japs Hold Different View.
Headquarters of the japanese Third
Army Before Port Arthur. Dec. 90, via
Fusan.-The capture of the North fort
of East keckwan mountain December
| is, by the Japanese is of much impor-
lance, because it opens a way up the
gorge to the highest hills, and will rem
der easier the capture of the noun
tain. 1t gives much additional foot
hold for a general assault on the west
ern half of the eastern fortified ridges
The japanese now hold five of the seven
protecting forts.
Russians Repulsed.
TOXIC, Dec 22-The following report
from Manchurian headquarters was re,
ceived Tuesday night and made pub,
lie Wednesday: On Monday at five
in the afternoon the enemy's artillery
east of Da mountain bombarded the
neiahborhood of Sinlintung. At ono
in the morning, Tuesday, the enemy's
infantry attacked us south of Pien.
inhungpao, and at Terzupao. BY -four
in the morning he was repulsed. 81,
simultaneously the enemy's infantry at
! tackled Chinshantung, Heilintung ant
Huangti, and made most vigorous at.
tack in the neighborhood of Chinshan.
tung. The fighting continued about al
hour, when the enemy was completely
repulscd. We had no casualties"