The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-07-03
FIGHT FOR THE FORT
Story of Hard Battle Near Port Ar
thur


Chefoo. July ., 7:30 p. MT has been
learned here that a big battle was
fought on land near Port Arthur June
20 and p. The japanese were success
full. and on the morning of the 18th
they occupied the heights within ten
miles Of Port Arthur. The first japan
csc division. which suffered so heavily
at the battle Of Nanshan hill. and the
Eleventh division. fresh from Japan
were engaged. The Japanes losses have
not been learned, but the Russians are
said to have suffered heavily.
Refugees who left Port Arthur yes
terday and who have arrived here de-
clare that wounded Russians were be-
ing brought in by the hundred. Other
refugees from Pigeon bay assert that
hundreds OF wounded Russian soldiers
were passing near the bay. being trans
ported IN numerous and various kinds
of conveyances. The fact that Russian
wounded were seen at Pigeon bay
which is due west Of Port Arthur
would indicate that the japanese have
advanced along the east and west
coasts OF the peninsula at the same
time.
Army of 10000 Japs.
The two divisions which attacked
Port Arthur were composed of 10000
men and an independent artillery
corps.
As a matter of precaution the Japan
csc have landed a division Of 10000 men
on one Of the Elliott group Of islands,
and on June IS they landed the Sixth
division of 90 900 men at Kerr bay
(The Elliott islands are about ten
miles southwest of Pitsewo and about
slxty-five miles northwest of Port Ar
thur, while Kerr bay is about thirty
six miles from Port Arthur and six
miles from Kin Chou.) These two divi-
sions can be used to reinforce General
Oku's army near Kaiping, on the west
side Of the Lao Tung peninsula. and
about forty miles south Of New Chuang
or the army under General Nogi, before
Port Arthur.
During the present week three large
and number Of smaller transports ar
rived at Port Dalny with an independ-
ent artillery corps. heavy siege guns
and provisions for the Eleventh divi-
sion.
Report Sea Fight.
Foreigners who have reached here
from Port Arthur and japanese from
Port Dalny agree as to the success of
the Japanese on land, and from the
stories brought IN by junkmen il would
appear that the japanese have at least
good prospects of being successful at
so NnO nave arrived from
Port Dalny say they heard heavy fir
ing all day yesterday and until noon
today, while junkmen who have come
in from Port Arthur report that por-
ton Of the japanese fleet was off Port
Arthur last night. These two reports
indicate that a portion Of the japanese
feet has engaged the enemy at sea
while the remainder returned to Port
Arthur to cut off the retreat of the
Russian warships, should retreat be
found necessary.
Foreigners who left Port Arthur yes
terday evening confirm the reports
brought by Chinese that there are only
four large Russian warships in Port
Arthur
From Another Source.
A dispatch TO the Associated Press
from Toxic. dated June %. probably
referred to the same engagement re-
ported above by the Chefoo correspond
ent- The Toxic message vas not Off
cial. but it said that Chikwa nshap.
Chitanshen and Sochoshan. the forts
on the southeast line Of Port Arthur
line Of defenses, were captured by the
japanese on Saturday. June IS. after
an all-day fight, which began with an
artillery duel After the forts had
been taken the Russians retreated west.
leaving forty dead behind them. The
number of their wounded was not
learned. The Japanese lost three or
GERS and 100 men killed or wounded.
and captured two guns and a guam
THY OF ammunition
In conclusion. the Toxic correspond
emf said this report was not credited
BY the officials in Toxic