The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-03-11
GLIMPSES OF THE WAR N
LATEST COAST EXChAk GES


the severity of the censorship exercised
by the Japanese Government over the
news dispatches of foreign correspond
ents Baron Hayashi, the Japanese
Minister tonight said:
1 have had numerous representations
from English and other newspapers up
on this subject, but l believe that our
position in the case is not only right
but will be admitted to be such by
those who look carefully into the cir
cumstances We are fighting against
numerical odds which are quite out of
proportion to the odds against any
combatant in recent wars. We are
fighting for our existence and our only
hope of maintaining it is to strike
swiftly and secretly at the beginning.
To get in the first blows means more
to us than, l think, it has ever meant
to any belligerent and to insure this
1t is vital for us to demand a degree
of secrecy which has not been neces-
sary in any recent warfare. Even at
the risk of alternating temporarily the
friendship of the press of the world we
must prevent even whisper of our
real intentions reaching our powerful
enemy
Before war was declared knew that
our military authorities had decided
that our censorship must be more rigid
than ever before attempted. One line
would have ruined our first attack on
Port Arthur-one line might ruin our
projected land operations.
When we fought China we gave the
war correspondents free latitude and in
many cases they took advantage of this
to predict our future movements. That
did not matter much when China was
our enemy: but, against power like
Russia, so immensely superior in
eventual resources, it might turn the
scale. When you fight for life every
thing else becomes of minor impor-
tance.
1 cannot believe that Japan will lose
friends in the world because she has
been obliged to impose a careful CEN
sorship. l do not think the present
rigor of this censorship will be con-
tinued very long. but momentarily the
conditions of the campaign make even
insignificant movements clews toward
our main naval and military detectives.
When our preliminary operations are
complete l have no doubt the CENSOR
ship will be relaxed.
Our own press and people are UNDER
going the same regime. There Is no
and think you will find
as much If not more news of the war
from the Japanese side in the New
York and London papers as you will
in the leading Japanese organs.
SAYS HE WON'T SURRENDER.
PORT ARTHUR Sunday, Feb. 2s.-
General Stoessel, commander of the
garrison here, has issued general or
der directing the attention of the
troops and inhabitants to the fact that
the japanese intend to land and seize
the fortress. The general declares the
Japanese consider the seizure of Port
arthur to be a question of national
honor and from their obstinate attacks
md bombardments OF the fortress and
bays he can only conclude that the
'nemy will make every effort to cap
lure the fortress falling which the
Japanese will destroy the railroad and
The enemy. however," proceeds the
lis mistaken. Our troops
Snow and the inhabitants are herewith
Informed by me that We viii not yield.
We must fight to the finish, as l, the
ommandant, will never give an order
O surrender. ! cali on all 10 become
OF the necessity OF fighting
o the death. Those who leave with
nj hghting will not save themselves.
There IL no way out, on three sides
here Is the sea ana on the fourth VIII
e the enemy, There Is no means OF
seape except by hghting,"
MANY GMnRyo HoBsoNs.
TOXIC, Japan, February se,-Adml-
al Togo reports that his appeal for
olnnieefs 10 block Port Arthur was
ls,anlly responded 10 by 1000 Officers
nd men Following the ancient ga
'pfal custom some wreis their appll-
h'ions IN ihelr blood, II IL believed
lle attempt was partially successful
Y formerly took thirty MN,
lss 70 enter The hsTbor Il nov takes
= A lOuTs