Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1904-12-19
CLOSING IN
ON FORTRESS
Japanese Capture Two important
Positions Sunday and Will
Assault New Town Soon.
LOSE TORPEDO BOATS
Description Of the Small Boat Attack
on SevastopoI... ..Japs Lose Officers
and Men.

Toxic, Dec. 19.-The japanese fred
an immense mine under portions of
the north fort OF the East Kekwan
mountain at two o'clock yesterday
mediately charged and occupied the
fort with heavy force. 1t is reported
that the Japanese have seized another
strong position about a thousand yards
southeast of 203 Meter Hill prepara-
tory to assaulting the new town and
pushing between the Liaoti mountain
and Russian headquarters at Port Ar
thur
Lost Four Boats.
Tien Tsin, Dec. ia junk which
arrived here today from Port Arthur
reports that four Japanese torpedo
boats were sunk during the attacks on
the Russian battleship Sevastopol
which they say has now sought refuge
under Golden HILL The Japanese,
they say, are spreading false reports
of their success in order to facilitate
tne negotiations OF IreSn loans ABROAD.
Description of Attack.
Toxic, Dec. 19.-Vice Admiral To-
gos report upon the torpedo opera
tions against the Russian turret ship
Sevastopol was received today. 1t
says: "On the night Of December 14th
our torpedo fotillas made a gallant
and brave series of attacks against the
Russian turret ship Sevastopol. The
f1otillas arrived outside the entrance
to Port Arthur about midnight. The
leading flotilla under Commander Un-
chida, partly for attack and partly for
closely approached the
at o'clock and under the
and fire Of the enemy's
ships and shore batteries they attack
ed it.
A shell struck Commander Mitamar-
US torpedo boat and four shots hit
Commander Nakamutas boat, wound
ing three sailors. Subsequently our
fotilla attacked independently. Flotil-
"a "A", Commander Kasama, advanced
first for the purpose of destroying the
lefense protecting the Sevastopol and
also to draw and divert the fire under
he enemy's search lights.
The fotillas approached successfully
and bravely continued the attack from
. until o'clock in the morning. While
'etreating one torpedo boat received
several shots simultaneously and Its
Lieutenant Nakahori and
I've others were killed. The boat lost
is freedom of motion and Lieutenant
Nakahara's boat went to the rescue.
While towing the boat the enemy's
shells severed the hawser. Command
sr Nakahara's boat was also hit and
,ne man killed.
Subsequently several shells hit and
Utmost disabled Commander Nakahar-
U.s. boat, forcing him to abandon his
comrades ship, which was sinking.
However, he rescued the crew, leaving
he boat to its fate. Several other
,oats were hit and two sailors were
tilled and several wounded. The re-
ult of the attack is not definitely
Inown, although it Is evident some OF
he torpedoes took ehect.
Germany Will Not Interfere.
London, Dec. 19.-The German en-
,assy informs the Associated Press
hat there is no truth whatever In the
renewed reports of an lo-German
looking to the mediation In
he Russo-Japanese war. The visit OF
Count Metternich, German ambassa-
lor to Berlin, was purely private af-
air Germany has determined to DO
lothing until invited by the belliger-
,nts and up to the present time that
,ourting has not been invited.
Are Proceeding Eastward.
Cape Town, Dec. 19.-Some war
hips of the Russian second Pacific
squadron passed Cape Town this af-
ernoon eastward bound.