Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-08-11
PRESSING SIEGE
AT PORT ARTHUR.
DESPERATE ATTACKS REPuLS-
Ed. BUT JAPs GAIN.

Wolf Hin Yielded BY Russians After
Three Days OF Successful Defence
Naval Sorties--Japs Drive Russians
From ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Oiiemma--knlsht Commander In
eident sun Open.
Delayed news Of heavy fighting between
besiegers and besieged at Port Arthur
comes. II seems that on July %, p and
= the japanese made heavy assaults on
parts Of the fortified line. Gen. Stoessel,
the Russian commander, reported that ali
these attacks were repulsed. He said that
the japanese lost 1000 men, the Russians
over 1900. Later, Stoessel reports that on
July 30 the Russians withdrew from Wolf
Hill before the numerical superiority OF
the japanese. This hill was a strong
point IN the line Of defence and long
range guns mounted upon il would COM
mand the port. Stoessel estimates the
besieging japanese at 10000. II is evident
that the japanese are pushing the attack
hard, and have gained important advan-
tages.
Viceroy Alexien reports that four Rus
sian cruisers and some gunboats that
steamed out of Port Arthur harbor July
% 70 assist the land forces became engaged
with japanese battleship, five cruisers
and 80 torpedo boats. The ltsukushima,
a japanese protected cruiser, was put out
Of action by an S-inch shell from the
Bayan that burst in her stern. The Chiy-
oda, another japanese cruiser, came In
contact with a mine and when last seen
appeared 10 be sinking. On the 9th, a
naval squadron supported the Russian
land forces on their right flank
Admiral Togo reports that Aug. 8, IA
Russian destrOyers that emerged from
Port Arthur were met by three japanese
destrOyers and after hot hght turned
back
There has been a cessation Of severe
fighting between the main field forces of
the Russian and japanese armies in Man
churia the past week. Doubtless the series
of actions Of last week, bloody and ex-
hsusting, have compelled both sides to
halt for rest, arrangement OF forces and
renewal Of supplies.
July 30 and 81, Gen. Nodzu's japanese
army, with the cooperation Of Gen. Oku
70 the westward, defeated the Russians at
simoucheng and drove them toward Hal
cheng in q sharp fight. The Russians left
1900 dead on the field and lost six guns.
The Russians occupied range Of high
hills which were strongly defended with
covered trenches, a fortress and covered
emplacements, which consumed months
in constructing. The japanese seized a
range Of heights 10 the southwark on sat.
urday. They began the attack at daylight
on Sunday. The japanese left wing en-
eountered severe opposition. The Rus
slans were gradually reinforced and Their
artillery was increased to p guns. The
Japanese, who were also reinforced, re-
newed the attack at 3 o'clock in the after
noon and drove the Russians northward. /
The japanese right, exposed to a severe
artillery fire, was forced to halt. The
Russians. who were reinforced, assumed !
the offensive at $50 o'clock in the evening
but were repulsed with heavy loss. The
Russians withdrew toward Haieheng.
The japanese casualties were about 400.
Gen. Zassalitch, who commanded the
Russians in this engagement, reports i
much as the japanese do, except that he
SAYS his retreat was not compelled, but. IN
obedience 10 orders. The heat during
this fight was terrible.
General kuroki reports that in the Two
days' fighting al Nangse and 1ushullntzy 7
his losses were six officers killed, 10 officers /
wounded and $50 men killed and wounded. /
After the loss Of Simoueheng, the Rus,
SLAMS abandoned Haicheng and continued
their retreat toward Liaoyang. AT TINS
point, which seems 10 be an important
objective. the Russians have collected vast 4
stores. To abandon these stores or de- /
stroy them and continue on toward Muk- /
den would be dangerous for kouropatkln, I
as il has required long time to provision I
this depot, and the supplies cannot oe 4
Shared on the other hand, with the
Japanese armies converging about MIN,
only determined fighting and great skll
Viii save him from utter overthrow. II IS
supposed the Russians have many strong
lv fortified posts in this locality. A de-
cisive battle that may conclude the war Is
iia M ID occur here. The rainy season,
nov due. may come TO the Russians AID.
The Russian prize court at Nladiyostok
has declared The Knight Commander
sunk by the Russian squadron m the
Pacific lawful prize, as she was carrying
contra band OF war. She was BRITISH
sbip carving an American cargo, ana
Great Britain and the United States DO
NOT accent the Russian view Of her haoh-