The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-08-20

Firing at Port. Arthur by big guns was
distinctly heard here last night
Late advices from Port Arthur say that
Palunchang. although retaken by the
Russians, has not been occupied by either
side. The Russian batteries have con-
tented themselves with preventing the
Japanese from re-occupying this position
and planting guns which would command
the Russian warships In the harbor.
Russian naval officers believe that the
japanese battleship Mikasa was sunk In
the engagement OF August TO- They de-
clare that while the Japanese concen-
trated their Are on the Czarevitch the
Russians centred theirs on the Mikasa.
Admiral Togo's flagship II was the
Mikasa which the Retvizan tried 70 ram
during the fight. The Retvizan had been
receiving a gruelling and her captain
suddenly gave an order TO steer into the
midst of the japanese vessels and head
for the Mikasa. so fully surrounded was
the Retvizan that at one time she was
using every one OF her guns. One Japan
ESQ shot rendered her turret unworkable,
but repairs were made In 10 minutes.
wITSOEFTS LAST ORDER.
The Russian warships which returned TO
Port Arthur declare that Admiral
Witsoefts last order was 10 return 10
Port Arthur. This dsagrees with a pre-
vious statement from Tsngchau alleging
that the admirafs last order was not 10
return.
Commercial business at Port Arthur Is
said TO be at n complete standstill. The
people are living in bomb proof houses. A
belief on both sides OF the contending
forces that the other side is abusing the
Red Cross has led TO the feeling that this
emblem is OF little protection.
The Russians assert that the Japanese
use the flag to cover reconnoitering par
ties
FLAG BEARERS SHOT DOWN.
Recently a Russian officer In command
gave the sharpshooter permissian 10 fire
on them. The sharpshooter killed or
wounded all OF them. AS fast one
dropped the Red Cross flag another one
picked II up. II is also reported that
Japanese attempt TO drive the Russians
into touching of their electric ground
mines by driving cattle over them in the
darkness. This ruse has, 1t is said. re-
suited merely in afording the besieged
fresh supply OF beef.
The Russians declare that Takushan Is
doing the japanese but little good. as they
are frequently driven from that position
by artillery fire. They also are unable TO
mount guns.
Among the buildings in Port Arthur
that have been destroyed by shells are the
Russian church and Clarkson a Sons
American warehouse.
WITH GRATIFICATION
ST. Petersburg. Aug 2o.-The report
from Chez Foo that the Russian marks
men have driven the Japanese out OF the
position at Palichwang. whence they had
been bombarding the forts at Port Ar
thur, was received with considerable
qualification at the war office. where it
Was regarded evidence -thatAtha= de
tenders are strong enough even to take
the offensive when the occasion demands
For this reason the war office is not In
clned to credit the reports that the Jap
anese have captured forts No. and No.
4, just beyond Hagoushp Hill. five miles
northeast OF Port Arthur.
II is admitted that the possession OF
these forts would render the position OF
the defenders desperate. The war office
has no official information from the for
tress going beyond Aug. 3, 3 and 10, which
probably was sent through the captured
Russian torpedo boat destroyer Rye
shitleni. although this is not admitted
This report tells OF the desperate char
acter OF the japanese attacks which con-
tinued practically without intermission
for 40 hours Gen. Stoessers reports Of
the assaults OF Aug. II and Is are ex-
pected at any hour
DEMAND OF JAPANESE.
According to private information COM
ing from Port Arthur by way OF Chinese
junks when the japanese sent in the flag
OF truce Friday they conveyed a message
20 both the general commanding the for
tress and the admiral commanding the
squadron.
According TO the admlralty's informa-
tion the battleship Retvizan was the most
unlucky ship in the harbor before the
sortie Of Aug To- Out OF l53 shells en-
tering the town fives truck the Retvizan.
wounding her captain and three other Of
fcers. She was also the only ship hit
when the Japanese fired over 1Aaoti
mountain (he extreme southern part OF
the Kwangtung peninsula) during the
earlier stage OF the operations.
STOPPED BY RAIN.
All the military operations in Manchu-
ria, n r. asserted. here have been stopped
by the rains. kilograms 10 the war Of
nee describe the terrific effects OF the
torrential downpours. Many bridges have
been swept away and even traffic on the
raiiruar r. temporarily suspended. Dur
| Ing this heavy weather General Kuropat-
| kin has been busy inspecting the defences
] OF Anshanchan. Iiangdiansian and An
| ping IL is understood that the garrison
/ OF Anshanchan consists Of only four di-
/ visions.
The defeats which the Russians have
suffered only seem 10 increase Russia 3
4 determination 10 hurry reinforcements 10
/ the front. The imperial ukase published
4 this morning ordering the mobilization of