Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-22
STILL HOLDING OUT
Port Arthur Doggedly Resist
ing the Japanese.
DESPERATE CHA RGES
BEsIEGERS CONFIDENT OF WEAR
ING OUT THEIR OPPONENTS.
Fire is Accurate and the Hospitals Are
Filled With the Wounded
Recent Reinforcements.

Russian authorities carrying the dead OIL
the field and also ammunition. which they
saw is plentiful, confirm the statement
that the Liati promontory was not as
saulted for the reason That IL Is ihpies
nable from the side and the Japanese
are unable to move on 1t from the hor'h.
The Japanese main attack has been the
heaviest against the Russian center ana
right. particularly against the center,
fronting which the Japanese have taken up
strong position at Shushiyen.
Pigeon bay had been the scene or hght-
ing several days before the final assault
had begun. the Japanese never being able
to hold for long any territory they might
gain. Their attacks were made mostly at
night during foggy days and misty morn
ings.
The Japanese believe that their superior
physical condition will win the battle for
them by wearing out the Russian garrison,
which is constituted of less hardened ma
terial, down to the point Of exhaustion by
the persistency of their attacks and their
refusal to accept a repulse. The tempera-
ment of the Russian garrison is dogged
and determined
Gen. Stoessel. who is heavy, rides cease
lessy his chargers, which showing the
strain upon them, although the general
changes his mounts frequently.
Theater Hit by Shell.
Both officers and soldiers have grown In
different to the shells which enter the
town frequently. Recently the Chinese
theater was hit and score of people were
killed and wounded. One shell exploded
In the corral of the Chinese who tell the
story. killing five donkeys.
Civilians are allowed to leave the bomb
proofs during the luls in artillery fire. but
these lntermssions are rare and everybody
is won ana anxious over the situation. An
unusually large proportion of young COM
pany officers has been killed, which is par
tally owing to their duties and to their
reckless daring.
While the Russians apparently believe
they will hold the Japanese in check. their
confidence in their successful resistance is
not absolute. The japanese have guns
mounted on nearly all the hills. which for
merly formed Russian outposts. The Japa
nese fire is accurate The hospitals and
Chinese houses at Port Arthur are full of
Russian wounded. The narrators say the
dead. until ready for burial. are stored in
warehouses and are then buried on the out
skirts OF the town, Quicklime being used
freely 10 prevent infection.
Three large ships and two gunboats are
being repaired in the dockyard and basin,
the other ships being behind the shelter of
the Tigers Tail peninsula.
The Junks now depart from Liaotie Light
house. That point has been hit by a shell
1t is asserted In reliable quarters at Port
Arthur that the japanese have received
reinforcements of 10000 men from the
north.
The steamer Victoria. which arrived here
this evening from Nieuchwang reports
hearing spasmOdically heavy firing at Lou
isa ana Plgeon bays, respectively north
"est and west of Port Arthur between 10
CLOCK last night and in the morning. She
saw seaIchlights playing freely and sky
rockets signaling at clock this morning
fn haar
anything further.
Desperate Japanese Charges.
Chinese who left Port Arthur vesterday
and arrived here today state that the Ian.
aHese by making desperate charges. which
were reinforced by an artillery fire from,
nh9shi Yen and Louisa bay. swept from
the forth into Pigeon bay territory and
Grcve the Russians back from the main
ioits- Inc ground being comparatively fat
III ms vicinity, the Japanese were unable
10 hold IT In the face of the Russian artii
lery hre and they retired north an eighth
vi u mile beyond the zone of fire
Inc Chinese declare that the Jananaso
GanIured one important fort located on the
ltzshan Hills midway between the western
coast and the railway on a line draw
unfortunately from a point midway be-
tween Pigeon and Louisa bays.
me hghting resulting In the capture ~
ms fort was very severe The position was
nrst subjected to bombardment for over
forty-eight hours. Then the Japanese in.
Iantry assaulted IT and compelled the Rus
SLAMS 10 retire. The Russian artillery then
directed a heavy fire on the spot. com.
peihhs the Japanese In turn to retire
The Belief at st, Petersburg.
ST PETERSBURG, August 22-The
latest reports from Port Arthur indicate
'na' the garrison there is holding out with
wohueriui tenaclty in the face of persistent
desperate assaults. The only question 10
now long any body of troops can withstand
sueh awful punishment and whether the
GARRISON In the fortress can outiast the
japanese ammunition and men
lhe report that thirty regiments have
peen drawn from General Oku to strength
.i me attackers is believed TO indicate that
ane japanese southern army is in desperate
suH's ana seems to show that the Jana
hese nave not enough men to prosecute
simultaneous campaigns of great mapnl-
tude in the north and south
1he storming of Port Arthur which tho
foreign dispatches say is proyreSvina &c
riveting all attention. The brave stubborn
resistance which Gen. Stoessel is making
Is evoking high praise and the war office
and public are hoping almost aeainst hone
that he Will be able to hold out in spite
OF the heavy odds against him. The latest
news. that the japanese are unable to es-
tabIlsh foothold at Louisa bay and at the
most westerly fort of the inner defenses is
considered encouraging.
An official dispatch from Rear Admiral
Prince Ouktomsky at Port Arthur by way
OF Chefoo, says that only two officers were
Killed on board the ships which returned to
ihe harbor after the fight of August 10,
put his information about the condition of
the ships Is unsatisfactory the admiralty
explaining that he probably avoided going
gto specific details owing to fear that the
dispatch might fan into the hands of the
Japanese.
News that the Port Arthur squadron has
again sailed out is expected at any hour
rs Rear admiral Prince Ouktomskys orders
are imperative to go out or DESTROY his
ships beyond the possibility OF repair before
the fortress fans.
The loss of the gallant Novik in fight
against two Japanese cruisers at Korsak-
ovsk Island of Sakhalin is not yet known
here, as the authorities are awaiting the
report of Vice Admiral Skrydloff before
making the news public. The cruiser by
her exploits had endeared herself to the
whole country and her loss will create a