Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-09-09
ERCEF|GHT POR1AR1HIIP
JAPs LOSE 5000 MEN IN A GEN
ERAL ASSAULT.
Russians Loss Was 3ooo-Fror
ust 27 Until August 81 the En,,,.
ment Continued unabated, Then Be-.
siegers Withdrew-SheIls Fall ,
of the City.

Chefoo, Sept 5.-The second 90,
eral assault on Port Arthur assume,
crushing proportions August 27 and
continued undated until the morning
OF August 81, when the Japanese ro'
tired everywhere except from pa,icbu
ang, which they have apparently firm.
| ly secured. This information coma.
from Chinese messenger, sent to Port
Arthur by the Associated Press. and n
confirms previous fragmentary nd.
vices.
The messenger adds that Isteshan
was reattacked August 80 with great
fury, but the Japanese were unable tn
secure a position. Another Chinese
who departed from Port Arthur Sen
TENDER says serious attack was
made on the left flank at 3 O'Clock in
the morning of that date. The assault
lasted until O'Clock p. M, when the
Japanese retired. The bombardment
then commenced, the Japanese firing
chiefly from Suisihying and Palichu.
ang, the Russians from Itseshan.
The Japanese losses were estimated
at 5000 during the four days. The
Russian losses are placed at 5000,
During the assault shells from the
field guns and rifle bullets fell in the
city. The Russian ships in the harbor
participated occasionally in the firing.
A reliable authority in touch with
events at Port Arthur, declares that
week ago that garrison numbered ap-
proximately $1,000. Accepting the
Chinese report Of the recent losses,
the efficient men now number $4,000.
The past weeks advices confirm pre-.
vious advices that the Japaense are
bending their utmost energy to secure
an ingress along the railroad. Itse-
shan Rhlungshan, Palungshan, Ant.
shan and other positions frequently
mentioned sustaining the most des-
perate and repeated assaults and bonn
bardments, all directly or indirectly
blocking the plans of the Japanese.
The arrangement of the forts afford
ing mutual support renders the Japan
ese schem exceedingly difficult of exc
'utioh' ANp oupuhCoO nave pCCh hSui
Liaoti promontory for some time,
The Japanese now expect, 1t is stat
ed two months or possibly more OF
fighting before the fortress is taken.
They give the garrison no rest. AS
saults no sooner cease than the artil-
lery commences its thunder. The gar
rison is said to be greatly worn and
weary, but determined to continue re-
sistance, always hoping that General
Kuropatkin will soon gain sufficient
strength to come to their relief.
The Russians in Chefoo fear that the
recent Japanese victory at Liaoyang
will have despairing effect on the
Port Arthur garrison when they learn
of it. When this information Will
reach them is uncertain as the Japan
ese blockade is very tight. The AS
ISOLATED Press messenger was put 10
work carrying Russian dead anu
wounded upon entering Port Arthur
He escaped Thursday and boarded
junk, which was promptly overhauleo
by Japanese torpedo boat destroyerS
Finding seven copies OF the for'
Arthur Novikrai concealed on the mes
senger, the Japanese took him to Dai-
ny, where he claims that he was peat
and suspended by the queue Tor tne
purpose of compelling him to adm,'
that he was a spy. He was finally
recognized by a Chinese ofhcial III
terpreter, who secured his release