The Irish standard., 1904-12-24
STORY OF THE LONG
SIEGE OF P0lT ARTHUR
Continued from Page ~

The first general attack started on
August 10. lasting till August %. 1t
followed demand to surrender, and
was directed primarily against Pan
lung mountain, a fertilization north of
the PeeEwan position. An artillery as
sault of two days on Panlungslan pre-
pared for an infantry attack on Aug
uSt 81, which was unsuccessful be-
cause of the impeding electric wire en-
tanglcments, one of the newest means
of defence. The center army charged
the mountain. the next day, holding
two-thirds of it, but the Russians could
not be dislodged until the Japanese
came at them again. after reforming.
The place was lost, although the Rus
slams shelled it for month.
The second general attack began on
September II. Oh account of the Japa-
nese discovering that the beleaguered
were trying to mine Panlung. The
attack resulted in the capture of Fort
Kllropatkin and Suishiying mountain,
but the most remarkable fight occurred
ut 2o3-AIetre hill, where Japanese
troops had obtained foothold which
! they kept for 36 hours without food
or water, only to be driven away by
the reinforced enemy. This attack was
followed by several days of hand
grenade throwing and a bombardment.
This was directed at Rihlung noun
tain. but the Peresviet and Pobiedl
in the harbor were hit and part of
the city set on fire.
During the month of October bonn
bardment of the Russian positions, the
town and the ships in the harbor had
been so continuous that the Japanese
believed they had weakened the Rus
sian works to such an extent that 4
general attack would be successful. 1t
| was directed against the general posi-
| ton of the Keekwan forts. The trench
es on Sungshu mountain, Rihlung
mountain and Pohsian mountain were
taken. Then the Russians concentrat-
cd fire from Golden Hill, Laoluichui
and other positions in the vicinity, but
without changing the face of the at
tack.
| November 3 was the Mikado's birth
day. and fierce general attack few
days before and continuing after the
anniversary was intended to result in
| the capture of the fortress. This at
tack shifted to the westward, taking
in Else and Antsc forts as we'll as
Sungshoo. The attack was given up
without accomplishing more than a
weakening of the positions and lessen
ing of the city's ammunition. Since
that attack the japanese have forsal-
en- all other routes to the city except
the line of the railroad. and lately the
Table Heights forts have figured prom
inenty in the dispatches.
On November 5 and 6 there were
two assaults. the second Of which
started Il contagration in the military
warehouse. On November an attack
on Else began from the Japanese lines
stationed somewhere in the vicinity of
TOngchaitzc. Else the reports say, is
so situated that it can be attacked only
in an Indirect way. but the Topographic
cal knowledge in the possession Of tho
Japanese made the attack effective
On November II there was a general
attack on the eastern fortified ridge
and some meats were captured. Tho
taking of a caponiere north of Kccls.
wan on that date was accomplished b!
underground fighting in the galleries
and tunnels.
The occupation Of the underground
works then became Of the utmost i'm
pcrtancc. if the dispatches from Port
Arthur may be credited. Within tho
past four weeks accounts of CALLER!
fighting have increased, until it seems
that General Nogi has turned to tun
melting as the only means by which he
can compel surrender upon Genera
Stoessel. This should work slightly tt
the advantage of the Russians, who
are beginning to run short of ammuni
ton. since they fire shells made partl!
Of wood and do not keep the positions
along the coast. Tigers Tail and Gold
on Hill replying to Japanese battle
ships.
Since November 81, our Thanksgiv
ing the Japanese have reached thu
parapets of Sungshu. Rihlung and Eas
Kcellwan forts, which the Russian:
still hold. BY reason of the flanking ar
: engagements of modern fertilization this
J, report simply indicates that the as
/. saulters have been able to touch TIN
forts. since tenails, ravelins. other out
: works and finally the fort bastion
| must be taken before the positions ar
: finally captured.
, The bombardment has been constan