The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-11-12
PORT ARTHUR
ONCE MORE
Russian Stronghold Again
Reported Captured
THE PEACE PROPOSITION
Japan Will Evacuate Manchuria
if Russia Will Do
Likewise

| LONDON, NOV. lZ.-KepOfts are cur
rent here from private and some pres
sources that Port Arthur has fallen.
Baron Hayashi, the japanese minis
ter, said he had received no news ant
pitulation.
The dispatch from Washington con
! firming the statement made that japan
had indicated her willingness TO enter
tain peace suggestions from President
Roosevelt or King Edward has created
much interest here, Baron Hayashi
the japanese minister, said:
After the fall of Port Arthur Japan
would, | believe, be ready 10 treat for
peace on no higher essential basis than
ria, Japan also agreeing to a similar
evacuation.
THE two great difficulties in the
way of any suggestion of peace are,
first, the apparent opposition of En-
peror Nicholas present advisers to a
settlement of any kind; second, the
preservation of Russia's prestige.
When a nations prestige if not gone is
severely impaired it is difficult mat
ter even with the best of intentions to
preserve it,
Ii is learned that Queen Alexandra
has been in constant communication
with the dowager empress of Russia
and Emperor Nicholas himself during
the last few days. This is interpreted
here as hopeful sign and as very
likely TO lead, though not in the imme-
date future, to the establishment of
some modus vivendi whereby steps
looking 10 arbitration might be initial
cd without offense 10 Russia.
A Tientsin dispatch says that during
the bombardment Of Thursday night
the Russians threw sixty large melinite
shells into the japanese camp opposite
Nanalon hill.
The Japanese, who during the pre-
vioas cannonading seemed to have sue
cessfully used searchlight directed
against the Russian positions for the
purpose of covering their operations
at night in the extension of their field
works in the region of the railway, did
not reply when the Russians attacked
them further to the east.
II is known that the japanese have
placed guns OF large ealiber in the vi
cipity of the Shakhe railway station,
bringing Schiatun, the next station to
the north, within the range of their
fire.
The Russian army 10 celebrating the
distribution of presents of food cloth
ing and confectionery sent by the en-
press TO the officers and men.
Regimental bands are playing from
camp TO camp along the line and the
army is now in better spirits and ap-
pears to be much more formidable.
Owing TO the mildness Of the wealth
er and the prevalence OF sunshine the
soldiers are bathing in the open.
The Russians are hosting manikins
for the purpose of drawing the Japa-
nese fire, and they also make prac-
tice of bantering the Japanese in 9th
ee ways.
Reports of the grave condition OF the
besieged at Port Arthur have reached
and as consequence the Rus
slams will not be surprised TO learn OF
the capitulation of the fortress.
Comfortable dugouts are being built
along the Russian lines. and the soldiers
seem TO think that they will winter
where they are. The idea that Field
Oyama contemplates an at
tempt to take Mukden is not generally
Both sides seem 10 be
content for the present with a suspen-
sion of hostilities. Warm clothing is
being distributed among the troops.
A dispatch from Tokyo states that
General Nogi is fully empowered TO ne
Eotiate with General Stoessel the Rus
sian commander for the surrender Of
Port Arthur.
The Japanese commander will Offer
honorable terms that will be acespta. |
bic 10 General Stoessel. General Nogi |
viii be held personally responsible for
my excess by his troops.