The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-11-04
WANTED PORT ARTHUR
AS BIRTHDAY PRESENT.
Japs Wanted to Get 1t by Nov.
for Their EMPEROR.

Japs Wanted to Get 1t by Nov.
for Their Emperor.
Headquarters of the Third Japanese
Army, in Front of Port Arthur, Nov. 2,
by Way of Che Foo, Nov. 8, 2 D. m.
(Censored) 1.-THE Japanese are now in
a position to commence the beginning
of the end of the operations to cap
ture the eastern fortified ridges. Their
siege park has been completed by the
placing OF 11-inch howitzers. During
the night of Oct. 20 all the reserves
advanced through network of
trenches in front of the eastern forth
fed ridges from south of Keekwan to
west of Keekwan and to the west of
Rihlung mountain.
The bombardment began at dawn
Oct. 30, and infantry attacks were
planned at noon against Rihlung
mountain, an entrenched hill between
the east of Banjusan and the east
Of Keekwan, and on three Keekwan
forts.
There is tremendous excitement
among the troops. who are convinced
Of success and mean to capture the
fortified ridges and compel the surren-
der of Port Arthur in time for the
Mlkado's birthday, Nov. 3.
Took the Redoubt.
While the siege operations were IN
progress reinforcements were brought
up, and it was announced from head
quarters that the siege operations
would be finished with a general as
sault on Sept. 10 upon the Namao-
kayama ridge, the 20S metre HILL, the
half moon forts of the Shuishi valley
and the redoubts at the foot of Rib
lung mountain. The bombardment
was started at dawn. Three battal-
ions of the center division advanced
from the parallels and attacked a re-
doubt at the foot of Rihlung noun
tain, which the japanese twice before
had tried to capture. The work was
strongly built and surrounded by a.
ditch, perpendicular walls and breast
works. There was also a steep dis
lance to the top of the parapets and
at the bottom was a ditch twenty-five
feet desp. The interior of the re-
doubt was faced with heavy timbers,
the trenches around were bomb proof,
and there were heavily constructed
Lighthouses loopholed for infantry and
machine guns. From the rear of the
redoubt three lines of trenches ex-
tended to Rihlung fort.
The main attack was made against
the northeast corner and simulta-
neously a Japanese battalion attacked
the east line of the trenches. The Jap
anese were met by a tremendous fusi-
Iade from rifles and machine guns and
were forced TO retire to their trenches,
nut at 4 o'clock in the morning the
main attack was made and the Jap
anese succeeded in capturing the re-
doubt, entering it through a breach
made by the artillery. A fierce hand
io-hand encounter inside the redoubt
followed, during which dynamite and
hand grenades were used to destroy
the Lighthouses. whose brave Defend
ers stood their ground until the last
man was bayoneted.
Inc Russian trenches were captur-
ed and occupied by the japanese, but
me redoubt was destroyed with ex-
llosives. The defending force con-
sisted of four companies. The Jap
anese casualties were over a thou
sand. The Russians left only few
aead in their positions.
Attacked the Half Moons.
In the evening of the 18th a regiment
OF the Eighth Division attacked the
nalf moon forts In the Shuishi valley
rom parallels fifty yards distant A
Dattalion and half advanced against
NetPAAbNHA wei AAbAl iiiODn lbIlo anu
,"o companies moved against the east
- rts Both attacks we're repulsed.
vice again during the night the Japa-
!eae made unsuccessful assaults on
these forts.
Early in the morning OF the Goth the
whole force was concentrated In a fu-
Ilous assault on the west half moon
Iorts. The moat was crossed with
scaling ladders. and dynamite and
hand grenades were used 10 destroy
Ihe Russian trenches and bombroofs.
Inc lighting. which lasted twenty min
ules, was carried on al the point OF
me oayonet Finally the Russians
We're driven through the connecting
trenches. ana the other half moon forts
We're all captured after slight resist
shce' The Japanese casualties were
w The Russian left but few dead IN
their positions.
Tho attack uDon 900 metre hin and
the ridge Immediately north OF Il called