The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1904-12-02
/ 0NFII CT in r r EAST

quite generally credited In official
circles. Such q move has been ex.
pected to transpire as 4, soon as the
Japanese learned that the squadron's
trip was an actuality and no mere
demonstration. The authorities are
prepared to hear terrible reports Of
the projected assault. While not haz.
arding guess whether the fortress
can be carried IL the besiegers are ut.
terly regardless of human life, they
are confident that Gen. eStoessel will
be able; to make such an, attack one Of
the costiiest operations in history.
Starvation al Port Arthur.
London. Nov. &c. - The CORES.
pondent at Moscow Of the Daily Tele.
graph claims authority for the state.
ment that Gen. Stoessel's dispatch,
sent by the torpedo boat Rastoropny,
informed Emperor Nicholas that the
Port Arthur garrison was. being
starved out, with other frank details
of its actual condition. showing that
the fall Of the fortress is. inevitable.
Forts Held by Japs.
Headquarters of the Third japanese
Army Before Port Arthur, Nov. rs. -
The only permanent forts in the pos.
session Of the Japanese are the two
Panlung forts captured inl August.
They hold the advance works of the
Rihlung redoubt, called Fort Kuropat-
kin. an intrenched hill miscalled "P:'
fort, Kobu HILL; Sachitakiyama and
One Hundred. and Seventl-four-meter
hill. They also occupy the caponiere.
galleries and meats of the two Rib
lung forts and North Kekwan fort.
Important Operations On.
ST. Petersburg, Nov. &c, Unofficial
advices only bring affairs at the front
up to Nov. %, and the absence of of.
fetal news of later date either from
the Japanese or Russian side war
rants the belief that more important
operations than heretofore may be
progressing. Reports from CORES.
pondents from the front show re.
neweG skirmishing, including fresh
attack on Nov. % on Lone Tree hill.
in which the Japanese were repulsed
with heavy losses, and also hot
fight with Chinese bandits near Kali
uan. in which 200 Chinese were killed
Japanese viii Winter in Fort.
Chicago. Nov. 24.-The Daily News
publishes a cablegram from its cor.
with the Japanese troops
outside Of Port Arthur, reading as fol
lows:
Gen. Kodama,, chief of the Japanese
general staff. after a thorough inspec.
ton of the operations at Port. Arthur
and a conference with Gen. Nogi. gave
tho following exclusive interview tc
the Daily News staff correspondent:
"You have seen Port Arthur anc
may think it. easy to take" said the
general, but it is quite a difficult
task"
"Of course" said. 1T has thirty
powerful forts on which the Russians
have spent ten years engineering; the
defensesy are strong;' there is
a stubbord army of fighters within
commanded y 49,
Fort, At His. Mercy. ,s =.
Kodama stretched out his closed
hand, interrupting me- IL hold Port
Arthur here" he said. .,-;.. .s...
Where will you winter about Port
Arthur" I asked. You are not build
ing barracks and have only shelter
tents. The Manchurian winds bite
AL,
81 shall winter inside" replied tho
general. Il will take. the. fortress
soon. Ihesitate to use my big guns
for fear Of hurting non-combatants.".
II cannot say what damage the big
gums will do,' resumed the general.
This is the first time in history that
coast defense guns have engaged each
other. brought ours from Japan
The Russians cannot use theirs
against Admiral Togo's feet and have
turned them landward."
Question Of Strategy,
"In the end, however" said, sis no,
the boy in khaki the deciding force?
Your infantry loss thus far has beer
heavy and your infantry finally must
take the fortress if it is ever taken"
NO" said Kodama. This is
question of strategy, tactics and engi.
neering. The outcome now depends
on ammunition and generalship. The
forts are well built on the
Belgian model. We cannot soy thai
any single fort is the key. All are sc
arranged that we must take them in
detail. The capture of one means only
the capture Of that individual fort, no,
of a series, as formerly. Study as We 8
may. we find it difficult to locate theil
weakness, they have carried fortifica
lions to such an extent"
laps Show Superiority.
Mukden, Nov. 24.-Both armies ,oc
cupy such strong, fortified positions
that neither appears inclined to attack
unless possessing a preponderance OF
numbers enabling a thanking move
ment. The Japanese probably have
more available troops. Their superior
was lately shown by the &C