The San Francisco call., 1904-08-23
BEsIEGERs REINFORCED.
Thirty Thousand Fresh Troops to
Take Part i'm Assaults.

CHEFU, Aug. PIT is asserted in
reliable quarters at Port Arthur that
the Japanese have received reinforce
ments of 10000 men from the north
The steamship Victoria. which ar
rived this evening from Newchwang,
reports having witnessed spasmodicaIly
heavy firing at Louisa and Pigeon
bays, respectively northwest and west
of Port Arthur between 10 O'Clock last
night and l O'Clock this morning. She
saw searchlights playing freely and
skyrockets signaling at l o'clock this
morning. The ship was too far away
to hear or see anything further.
Chinese just arrived, who bring the
latest information from Port Arthur.
were employed by the Russian mill
tary authorities carting the dead off
the field and also in carrying ammuni-
ton, which they say is plentiful They
confirm the statement that the Liaotai
promontory was not assaulted, for the
reason that it is impregnabe from the
seaside and the Japanese are unable
to move upon it from the north.
The Japanese main attack has been
the heaviest against the Russian center
and right, particularly against the cen
ter, fronting which the Japanese have
taken up strong position at Shushi-
yen
Pigeon Bay had been the scene of
fighting several days before the final
assault had begun, the Japanese never
being able to hold for long any terri
tory they might have gained. Their
attacks were made mostly at night.
during foggy days and misty mornings.
The japanese believe that their su-
perior physical condition will win the
battle for them by wearing the Russian
garrison, which is constituted of less
hardened material, down to the point
of exhaustion, by the persistency of
their attacks and their refusal to ac-
cept repulse
The temperament of the Russian gar
rison is dogged and determined. Gen
eral Stoessel, who is a heavy man.
rides ceaselessly his chargers, which
are showing the strain upon them, al
though the general changes his mounts
frequently. Both officers and soldiers
have grown Indifferent to the shells
which, enter the town frequently. Re
Gently the Chinese Theater was hit and
score of persons were killed and
wounded. One shell exploded in the
corral of the Chinese who tell the story.
killing five donkeys.
Civilians are allowed to leave the
bomb-proofs during the lulls in artil-
lery fire, but these intermisslons are
rare and everybody is worn and anx-
ious over the situation.
An unusual proportion of young
company officers have been killed.
which is partially owing to their du-
ties and much to their reckless daring.
While the Russians apparently believe
they will hold the Japanese in check.
their confidence in successful resistance
is not absolute
The Japanese have guns mounted
on nearly all the hills which formerly
formed Russian outposts and their fire
is so accurate that the hospitals and
Chinese houses are full of Russian
wounded.
The Chinese go on to say that the
dead, until ready for burial, are stored
in a warehouse and then are buried
in the outskirts of the town, quick
lime being used freely to prevent in
fection.
Three large ships and two gunboats
are being repaired in the dockyards
and in the basin; the other ships lie
In shelter behind the Tigers tall