The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-28
KUROPATKIN IS SHOT
IN SHOULDER IN FIGHT

! forces were acting on the offensive, the
Russians regalned on the land side the
positions they had held In front of the
| fortress previous to the battle of Kin
Chow.
The main forces of the besiegers are.
on the average. at distance of twenty
miles from the perimeter of the fortress
on the Russian right. but the japanese
have approached TO within twelve miles
on the Russian left. So far as Inchentse
station, fourteen miles from Port Ar
thur, the railroad is working. Between
10000 and $1,000 Japanese are operating
before Port Arthur.
Slow Engineering Advance.
THE troops maintain a constant ex-
change of skirmishing fire, but the field
or other guns are usually silent. The
Japanese apparently are conducting a
slow engineering advance. Often in the
morning the Russians discover fresh
trenches. The Japanese are compelled
to abandon this work in the daytime. as
the Russians regularly open fire on them
as soon as daylight discloses the work.
The activity of the japanese at sea
is confined almost exclusively to noe
boat destroyers and torpedo boats. the
sowing Of mines and the attacking Of
guardbcats. Seldom does night pass
without firing from the shore batteries.
The attacks on the guardships are easily
discovered by the Russian searchlights
and as soon as fire IS opened on the
japanese they make off. There are also
occasional cannOnades by day. when the
protected cruiser NOVik and the guard
shin nut To TeCOnnOtter.
Sometimes the flotilla OF trawlCrs.
which was regularly sent out to remove
the mines sown by the japanese the pre-
vious night attracted the attention Of
the enemy's scouts which are always
cruising within sight OF Port Arthur,
and they would approach and fire few
shots. The japanese are discouraged by
the failures which they made to close
the entrance of Port Arthur, with fire
ships, and have stopped sending them
in. They have also grown tired OF bonn
harding the fortress and shore batteries.
Hygienic Conditions Good.
THE Russian squadron is intact and
the health Of the garrison is splendid,
but the sameness Of food Is trying
There is no epidemic or infectious dis
ease at Port Arthur. with the exception
OF a few cases Of intestinal disorders,
which, however are entirely confined to
subjected to great privations compared
with the remainder of the garrison
The spirits Of the troops are excel
lent. although. of course. they all would
Ike to have the siege raised and be
freed from the oppressive monotony
and the absence Of all communication
with the outside world.
Pessimists are rare, the vast ma
Jority Of those within the fortress be-
ing firmly convinced that Port Arthur
is in no danger Of falling. Many have
ceased to believe even the possibility OF
an attempt to take the fortress by
storm. The blockade itself presents no
terrors. There is a sufficient supply Of
preserved goods, wheat and -four to last
long time. and there is also enough
coal for the squadron
Perfect order and tranquility reign.
The restaurants close at 10 o'clock at
night and are not allowed to sell alco-
hole drinks Stores are sold only 10
trustworthy persons.
July p. at noon. while on our way
to the port Of Niuchwang, we met, off
Liao-Tushan the Russian torpedo boat
Stroyny. We hailed her and an officer
told me he had nothing new TO commu-
nicate and that all was well at Port
Arthur"