The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-22
FLEET WILL TRY TO ESCAPE.
SHIPS ORDERED TO LEAVE PORT
ARTHUR AT ALL HAZARDS.

VIII Head for German Port in China-Talk
in Toxic OF Early Fail or the Fort
ress-More skirmishing Going On in
the Mountain Passes Near Mukden.
Special Gable Dispatches TO TIE SUN.
SHANGHAI, Sept. 21.-Aocording to native
newspapers. the Port Arthur squadron has
been ordered to go to sea during the current
week at all hazards, owing to the constant
bombardment of the harbor. The warships
will aim to reach Kiaochou, the German
port in the Chinese province of Shantung.
The papers also assert that NJ. Lessar
the Russian Minister at Pekin, is insisting
that China buy the Manchurian Railway.
TOXIC, Sept. 21.--The reported capture Of
two important forts north Of Port Arthur
by the Japanese is not confirmed officially.
All official news from Port Arthur is rigor-
ously withheld, the only references to the
operations there being occasional small
lists of casualties, 1t is believed that
more energy has teen put into the opera
tons there.
There is much uniformed talk Of the
early capture pf the fortress. One idea is
advanced that its fall will be made to CO.
inoide with the Emperor's birthday. which
falls on Nov. 8.
LONDON, Sept 22-The reports of the
diminishing at Da Pass and Pingtaitse
comprise the only authentic news OF the
main armies in Manchuria. The state
ments that battle is Immediately impend-
ing seem to be entirely speculative.
Stories from Chefoo and other Chinese
centres represent the Japanese as being
very much more active at Port Arthur.
They are said to be preparing winter quar-
tiers at Dalny, which will be the main base
for their whole operations when the harbor
of Newchwang is frozen.
A Russian merchant named Kratz, who
has arrived at Chefoo, states that he was
captured while attempting to get through
the blockading line. He was taken blind
folded on board Japanese warship, where
he was Intercepted and threatened with
being sent a prisoner to Japan.
He was finally liberated, however, and the
officer who had examined him congratu-
lated him upon his lucky escape from Port
Arthur, saying that severe lombard
ment would begin on Tuesday Sept. 2o)
preparatory to the storming OF important
positions. The officer added that the
fortress would be captured in few days.
Kratz became enthusiastic when he de-
scribed Gen. Stoessels alertness and dill
eence. He never seems to sleep. When
his administrative work Is finished he
prowls about tho forts. He Is severe
taskmaster for the officers. insisting upon
a strict performance Of their duties. He
Ap3 ho
diers idolize him, and he inspires confidence.
ltirne - deserted. At night IL b like black
vault. There is almost no sound heard
except the distant cracks Of skirmishers'
rifles or an occasional shot from a gun.
The air is filed with the scent OF death
No non-combatants venture out after
sunset.
There was general disgust In Port Arthur
when the Russian squadron returned after
it's engagement with the Japanese on Aug.
10. Admiral Prince Oukhtonsky, who
brought the squadron back, Is In the hos
pital, but It Is not known whether he Is
sick or n0t.
The Japanese guns are cleverly masked.
Their howitzers using smokeless powder
are the most effective. The Russians
have formed a corps OF sharpshooters,
whose duty 1t Is to creep out on the hillsides
and discover the position of the enemy.s
guns. They have been frequently success
full in this work.
Kratz refused to talk about the food sup
ply, only saying jocularly: well, they
have no plum pudding" e.
CHxFoo, Sept. 2l.-Anna Kravtchenko,
the English wife of Russian officer at
tod
Radziwill and others, who arrived mere
Sept II, in running the Japanese blockade.
The party had a narrow escape from capture.
Nine. Kravtchenko says that the women
in the fortresseare devoting themselves
to the defendersp There are thirty nurses
to each thousand men. Other women are
engaged in making clothing for the soldiers,
while still others do the laundry work.
There are no contagious diseases, but
many deaths are caused by large fly
biting after feeding upon putrefying corpses
outside. The old town is almost wrecked,
but the casualties from shells are remark
ably few. Nine. Kravtchenko believes
that the defence will succeed.
It is stated that the Japanese have cap
tired numbers Of junks attempting to
run the blockade OF Port Arthur. These
vessels were mostly laden with meat, flour
and eggs I.
Chinese who have arrived from the be-
sieged town say that the deaths from starva.
ton are increasing and that food was sup
piled to the foreigners who were about to
leave the place in order to deceive out
siders as to the actual conditions prevail
ing in the fortress.
Plan to nd WI Tfng-fang Here Dropped.
Special csos Despatch to THE SUN.
TOXIC. Sept. 2l.--It Is reported from
Pekin that the plan Of sending WI Ting
fang, formerly Chinese Minister at Wash
ington, on q special mission to the United
States and Europe with regard to the future
Of Manohuria has been abandoned by the
Government on account Of the opposition
Of Yusn Shin Kai, Commander-in-Chief Of
the Chinese Army, who takes the ground