The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1904-09-09
Fierce FIGHT ONPORT ARTHUR
JAPs LOSE 5000 MEN IN A GEN.
ERAL ASSAULT.
Russians Loss Was 3oo0-From Aug
ust 27 Until August 81 the Engage
siegers Wthdrew-SheIls Fall Inside
of the City.

Chefoo, Sept. 5.-The second gen.
eral assault ON Port Arthur assumed
crushing proportions August 81 and
continued undated until the morning
of August 81, when the Japanese re-
tired everywhere except from Palichu-
ang, which they have apparently firm
ly secured. This information comes
from a Chinese messenger, sent to Port
Arthur by the Associated Press, and it
confirms previous fragmentary ad-
vices.
The messenger adds that Isteshan
was reattacked August 80 with great
fury, but the Japanese were unable to
secure a position. Another Chinese
who departed from Port Arthur Sep
TENDER 2 says a 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 a
week ago that garrison numbered APP
proximately $4,000. Accepting the
Chinese report of the recent losses,
the efficient men now number 10000.
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
csc schem exceedingly difficult of exc
cution. No Japanese have been near
Liaoti promontory for some time.
The Japanese now expect, it is stat
ed, two months or possibly more Of
i 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 a despairing effect on the
Port Arthur garrison when they learn
of it. When this information will
) reach them is uncertain, as the Japan
= csc blockade is very tight. The AS
2 ISOLATED Press messenger was put to
5 work carrying Russian dead and
wounded upon entering Port Arthur
] He escaped Thursday and boarded q
junk, which was promptly overhauleo
r by Japanese torpedo boat destroyers
r. Finding seven copies of the Por'
! Arthur Novikrai concealed on the mes
b.. senger, the Japanese took him to Dal
S ny. where he claims that he was beat
and suspended by the queue for the
r purpose of compelling him to admit
e that he was a spy. He was finally
e recognized by a Chinese official in
a terpreter. who secured his release.