The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-06-10

both merchants and coolies, are leav-
ing Port Arthur with the permission
OF the Russian authorities. Fifty
junks which left Port Arthur yes
terday with Chinese passengers are
now. arriving here. The reports of
the latest arrivals vary in minor de-
tails, but agree in a general state
ment that a battle has been raging for
four days within ten miles of Port
Arthur. All the Russian soldiers have,
it is said. left Port Arthur for the
front, and only three large ships and
number Of small ones remain In
the harbor. The Chinese are unable
to explain what has become of the
other large ships.
They further report that all the
forts at Port Arthur have been more
or less damaged by recent lombard
ments, and that number Of mines
recently laid in the entrance to the
harbor were exploded during the
thunder storm.
1870 p. m.-AccOrding to reports
broaght here by Chinese arrivals
from Port Arthur, the outer forts
of that place have been badly dam
aged by the Japanese bombardment.
Many buildings in the town have also
been destroyed, but the inner forts
have suffered but little. The Chinese
appear to be unable to give any intel
lgent report on the condition of the
Russian fleet, probably owing to the
fact that they were not allowed in
h tosr Nv Of I hoe ",
statement made by them that when
they left there were only three
large ships there probably means
that a number were in the outer
harbor, and that the others were be-
hind the tigers tail and naval basin.
Every junk at Port Arthur has. It
is stated; been chartered to carry
remain in the besieged city.
Important Operations Imminent.
London, June 9.-The sudden in
terruption of the cable between Ko-
rea and Japan is considered signifi-
cant OF the imminence of important
operations at Port Arthur, the jap
anese having taken precaution, as
usual, to cut the only means Of COM
munication with the outside world
and thus enable her naval and mill
tary forces to work with absolute Sc
crecy.
No attention is paid in London to
rumors that the storming Of the for
tress has already begun. because it
is known that at the battle Of Kin
Chau. General Oku had exhausted
his ammunition and an insufficient
period has elapsed, during which the
newed and siege guns brought into
positions. 1t is considered likely
that Admiral Togo is not adverse to
Port Arthur wasting its ammunition
in constant encounters with the gun
boats. This may explain the rumor-
ed bombardments, while the firing on
the land side may be due to prelim-
mary opefauons, having for hein
purpose driving in the Russian force.
RumOr That Port Arthur Has Fallen.
st. Petersburg, June 8.-Noshing
is known here of the various rumors
to the effect that Port Arthur has
fallen. but it is not considered posi-
BILE at this time.
Port Arthur. the Lao Tung penin-
sula and the Yalu river are cut off
from Russian sources by the Japa-
nese, who are between the. Russians
and the territory mentioned. 1t Is
officially asserted that the cables con-
Meeting Japan with Korea are idle,
which would prevent Toxic also from
having knowledge of events in shat
section of Manchuria The Inter
ruption" of the cable work, however,
is more likely to be official and due
to a censorship at Toxic.
Another Rumor Lacks Confirmation.
Russian Headquarters, Lao Yang,
June S.-The rumor that the Russian
squadron has sailed out of Port Ar
thur remains unconfirmed here.
Cnimportant engagements contin-
ue TO take place on the Feng Wang
Cheng road, between the Molten
mountains and the Japanese posi-
tions. They are principally between
japanese cavalry and the Russian
advance posts. The reports that the
Russians had re-taken Saimatsza,
which the Japanese had previously
occupied. are confirmed. Skirmishes
are occurring in the neighborhod of
Pu-Lan-Ten, about forty miles north
of Port Arthur.
p II