Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-06-24
Mistellansuus geading.
PORT ARTHUR NOT HUNGRY.
Correspondent Gets In and Out and
Tells His Story.

Tells His Story.
The Indianapolis News, on last
Tuesday received from its special war
correspondent, Hector Fuller, who ef-
fected an entrance into Port Arthur,
where he was imprisoned five days be-
fore he was ordered from the fortress,
special cablegram, dated Che Foo,
June 21st, in which Fuller gives his
experiences as follows:
After being rowed across from the
Miautao Islands in an open boat by two
Cinnamon, landed at Louisa Bay.
The bay Is near Port Arthur and is
separated from 1t by a range Of hills.
The bay was occupied by Russian
flotilla Of four torpedo boats, two de-
stroyers and two cruisers. landed
at daybreak on the morning Of June
10th without detection. With the full
coming of the day I could see that
every hill top near the shore was alive
with soldiers, busily engaged In
strengthening the already strong forti-
fications, which occupied every point
Of vantage. It looked at first as though
1t would be impossible to pass through
the lines and make my way over the
hills toward Port Arthur, but by keep
ing down in the narrow valleys, which
were free Of soldiers, gradually made
my way into the interior Of the penin-
sula. In this way. after day and
night Of effort, I succeeded in reach
ing Port Arthur. The hazard Of my
position became so obvious that the
same day-Saturday, June 11th-I set
ont on my return to Louisa Bay.
presently came in sight Of large body
o. Russian infantry when took refuge
in a Chinese village, where I found
hiding place until danger was over.
II had not proceeded far from this
village when came upon a small party
Of sappers. In order to avoid them, ]
made a dash up hill, only to run Into
another regiment engaged In digging
entrenchments. Instantly I was sur
rounded. There was no possibility OF
escape. The officer In command de-
tailed a guard to take me to Pigeon
Bay. There I was searched. I was
stripped to the skin and all my gar
ments were subjected to the closest
scrutiny. My money was taken, and
all the papers in my possession were
minutely examined. Thereupon / was
blindfolded and marched to Port Ar
thur. The route taken was over the
military road, which has recently been
constructed. In spite Of the bandage
over my eyes was able to note that
the road Is of admirable construction,
along which troops and artillery could
move easily and rapidly.
Port Arthur was full Of life and
gayety, quite out Of keeping with the
stories of distress that had reached
Che Foo. Indeed, nothing Of this sort
was observed. There seemed to be an
abundance Of supplies. And fresh sup
plies were coming from Chinese
sources. The Japanese blockade has
not been effective. The harbor en-
trance has been freed of distractions
the battleships have been repainted
and Notifications are constantly be-
ing made stronger. The garrison Is
larger than outside information has
led me to believe. The troops are In
excellent condition and the general
health conditions of the city are good
There seemed to be no fear that the
city was likely soon to fall.
"The night I was marched into Port
Arthur, under guard, the city was
unusually lively, as the officers were
giving a ball. Three officers were de-
tailed to examine me and they made
thorough work Of it. After was ex-
amined I was lodged in prison. The
prison was directly opposite Golden
Hill. From the window Of my cell,
had a good view Of the inner bay, and
could see distinctly the repaired bat
tleships lying at anchor.
I'm the same prison were confined
100 Japanese who had been captured
from the blockading expedition. Sew
eral Of these had become insane. l.
myself, was kept on Russian black
bread and water for two days. While
| was in the prison was subjected to
seven different examinations. the
thing that evidently reused the great
est suspicion was the passport that had
been issued to me at Toxic. 1t Is pref
ty evident that the Russian officers
more than half suspected that I was
Japanese spy.
81 demanded the opportunity OF see
ing General Stoessel. the commandant
at Port Arthur, that I might lay my
case directly before him. At last, after
five days in prison, my plea was al
lowed and was taken before the COM
mander-in- chief. made straightfor-
ward statement Of my purpose OF seek
ing to penetrate the Russian lines and
gave a detailed account Of my trip. Al
last he was convinced Of my good faith.
He said: You Americans must be
crazy
LAS the result Of this hearing OF my
case, General Stoessel decided that l
was to be allowed to leave Port Arthur
on condition that I promise never to
return. The promise was promptly
forthcoming.
"Thereupon. was again blindfolded
and taken back under guard by the
direct route to Louisa Bay. Arrived
there, was requested to point the
exact spot at which I made my land
ing. Immediately sentry was placed
at that point.