The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-12-08
The W ar.
December I, 1904

With the confirmation Of the news
that the Japanese have occupied zoe
Metre hill and the report that the Rus
SLAMS uusuceessfully attempted its re-
capture, officials at -. Petersburg ara
beginning TO prepare for the inevitable.
Golden hill and Liatoi hill are higher
and dominate 203 Metre hill but the Of
fcals say that if the japanese succeed
in mounting heavy guns upon latter it
probably will be only question VI days
or weeks before the fortress fails still,
there is not the slightest idea among
General Stoessel's friends that be will
surrender even if he should be ordered
to do SO.
1t is limited that il is possible that if
the fall Of the fortress is shown 10 be in.
evitabe, the Emperor NAV direct its
surrender in order TO prevent the uunec-
essary sacrifice of the remnant Of its
brave defenders; but it is believed by
those who know General stoesse best
that be will literally make good bis
threat to hold out to the last man and
the ist cartridge in Port Arthur The
ships in the harbOr. il can now be stated
on high authority. are L no condition to
attempt to break through the investing
squadron. The guns of the warships
we're long ago landed and the marines
and sailors have been participating in
the land defense. Some OF the ships
also have been injured by shells II the
fortress falls il is understood they will
be taken outside and sunk q deep water
in order To prevent the possibility of
their ever being If service TO the enemy.
The diary of the lighting around 203-
AaFV Iii h D. 49, .r.
japanese papers, describes the terrible
losses involved in the storming IF the
Russian position from dawn Of Nov. q
till Il O'Clock in the forenoon of that
day. Russian counter-attack began
at dawn on Nov. % and was So furiously
pushed that the japanese were COMPEL
ed to retire from both sides Of the bill
into the valley The attack was renew
Ell the morning IF Nov. so, when all
the japanese reserves came up" from
the south western corner: but these as
salants only advanced 80 metres by
o'clock, SO stubborn was the resistance,
and the japanese suffered severe losses
Then being reinforced the Japanese
maintained the struggle with terrible
earnestness
Furious charges were repeatedly made
and the Russians were compelled grsdu-
ally TO retire. The southwestern sum
NIT of the hill was not occupied until 7
o clock in the evening ana the north
west summit not until o'clock. Dur
ing the night six Russian counter-at-
tacks were REFUSED One. which vas
launched at ) O'Clock in the morning,
was characterized by several bayonet at
tacks and was persisted In until noon of
Dec /, when, the hepelessness OF the
attempts becoming evident tie Russians
retired.
1t is reported from Toxic under date
Nov. that the effective bonn bardment
Of he Russian battleships in Port
Arthur which began. saturday. was one
of the results Of the capture IT 203
Meter hill Up To his time the war
ships had been able L. seek shelter from
the japanese fire under Peyu mountain,
but the capture Of 203 Meter hill Nov.
20, has enabled the japanese To train
their guns On the Russian vessels with
the result that a number of them have
been set on fire aud the Others must
damage
The Russians are nightly attacking
POS Meter hill In q determined endeavor
to retake the summit OF the ground IN
contest.
The Japanese are increasing tho
strength Of their positions and have sue
ceeded SO far in repelling all the Az
saults The Russians have suffered the
heaviest losses.