Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-12-22
DESTROY SHIPS
AND TAKE A FORT.
JAPANESE MAKE CONSIDERABLE
PROGRESS AT PORT ARTHUR.


Russian War Vessels in Harbor
Sunk by Bombardment from 2O3-
Meter Hin, Except Sevastopol,
Which Eled Outside Only to be Dis
abled by Togo's Torpedo Boats
Messengers Reach Che Foo With
News for the Czar--Japs Capture
Another Fort Fleet on Way to En-
gage Baltic Squadron.
News OF the Eastern war is wholly of
the siege Of Port Arthur, which the Japa-
nese are pressing with vigor. Not only
have they succeeded in disabling the last
large Russian warship in the harbor, but
they have captured another important
fort, after an heroic defence. That their
operations have been costly in lives the
japanese admit, while Russian accounts
praise the bravery OF their enemy.
Seven Russian sailors left Port Arthur
Dee. 10 in an open sailboat and, eluding
the blockaders during heevy snowstorm,
reached Che Foo in safety, after much
hardship. They bore official dispatches
from Gen. stoessel to the czar, a portion
Of which has been given out at st. Peters
burg. II is announced that the reports,
while agreeing with the japanese version
in the main as to the progress the latter
are making, do not give the impression OF
hopelessnefs. Gen. stoessel's messages
only bring the story down TO Dec. 10th,
but the Russians who got to Che Foo are
able to report for five days later, during
which the Russian warsbips we're de-
stroyed by a bombardment from heavy I
guns mounted just behind the crest OF
203 Metre hill, which the japanese had
taken, after awful carnage. The battle I
ship Sevastopol was able to escape TO the 4
outer harbor beyond effective range, but /
Admiral Togo's torpedo boats got after I
her, and by repeated night attacks sue |
eeeded in disabling her, though they lost at 4
least one torpedo boat themselves.
Stoessel's story Of the operations, as far I
as it has been given out, is intensely IN
teresting and shows that there had been
an almost uninterrupted assault of the I
most desperate character from November /
20 to December 10, when the Japanese,
after losing over 2, 900 men, captured 203 4
Metre bill nd were able from that posi-
tion to shell the squadron in the Port \
Arthur roadstead There the official ac-
count ends, but il is explained that the
Japanese do not occupy the top Of the hill,
which is still exposed to a deadly fire
from the Russian artillery.
The japanese are using a plunging fire
from very heavy guns from behind the
crest OF the hill, but that this fire is etii
cientls directed i shown by the damage
suffered by the Russian squadron. The
japanese are credited with using 1i-inch
and rs, inch mortars and howitzers. The
effect OF these must be most deadly when
turned upon the neighboring forts.
In Vice Admiral Togo's report on tor
pedo operations against the Russian tur-
ret ship Sevastopol the night of Dec. II
and the early morning Of Dec. 10, he says
the tlotillas attacked the Sevastopol sue
cessively, continuing the attack until 4
o'clock in the morning. The result OF the
attacks is not definitely known, although
il is evident that numerous torpedoes took
effect. The watch tower reported the fol- ,
lowing morning that the Sevastopol had
lowered at her bows considerably and her ,
is such that she does not change .
position in the current. She is anchored ,
in shallow water near the shore.
Several torpedo boats were struck by J
Russian shells and several men were killed
md wounded. Lieutenant Makahori,
one boat, was killed, Lieu j
enant Takahashi was wounded and one :
orpedo boat was sunk.
onutidi ftpoFle ethit lhhl lAt hueStdns at
Port Arthur have abandoned the battle
hips Peresviet, Poltava, Pobieda and
2etziyan ami the cruisers Pallada and
Bayan. These vessels, doubtless injured I
n the two battles with Togo's fleet, had :
transferred most Of their men and guns !
shore to aid in the land defence, and no !
erious attemppseems to have been made !
o save them.
Gen. Nogi, commanding the Japanese q
orces at Port Arthur, reports the capture .
I the East Kekwan fort as follows.
"On Dec. Is al 2;i5 p. m, part OF our =
rmy blew up the parapets OF the north
ort Of East Kekwan mountain and then
harged.
"a fierce battle with hand grenades il
nsued. a
'Owing TO the stubborn resistance of y
be enemy with machine guns, our opera y
ions were temporarily suspended. o
subsequently at p. m. General Sc b