The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-09-24
WOMAN RUNS BLOCKADE
Wife of Russian officer Tells Of Peril
Gus Trip From Port Arthur

Wife of Russian Officer Tells OF Peril
Gus Trip From Port Arthur
Chefoo. Sept. 22.-Mrs. Anna hraVt-
chenko. the English wife OF Russian
army officer. who arrived here the night
OF September II with Lieutenant Prince
Radzivil from Port Arthur. is the first
woman to run the blockade from the
Russian stronghold since the japanese
increased their vigilance to prevent
egress from the port. Her trip was
rendered extremely perilous because
she came out with the prince and his
companion. Lieutenant Christoforoit
who carried messages from Lieutenant
General Stoessel, the commander al
Port Arthur TO General KurOpatkin
Both these officers were disguised, and
had they been captured by the Japa-
nese they certainly would have been
executed.
Mrs Kravtchenko said: I'VE left
Port Arthur at o'clock on the night
of September 10. There was a good
wind and the moon was bright. We
we're successful in avoiding the danger
of the first Japanese blockading line
We came ZIP 70 the second line when
the moon was under a cloud. Search
lights we're flashing on all sides, but
our Junk was not discovered.
1--WE suddenly discovered ourselves
close to another junk with japanese
crew on board. They presumably were
pirates. but We outsailed them and
drew away.
AT 6 o'clock the next morning we
saw steamer coming in our direction,
She had the appearance of a cruiser.
and | was terribly frightened. When
we saw the cruiser, Prince Radziyll
and Lieutenant Christoforoff went be-
low. | stretched myself out on deck
and covered myself with dirty blan-
kets. Chinese we're lying at my feet
and at my sides, and for nearly an
hour although nearly smothered. | kept
my position. never uttered more
thankful prayer than when | was in
formed that the steamer We had seen
was a Red Cross vessel. and that her
captain had no intention of overhaul
ing us.
Wonderful things are being done by
the stats of the different hospitals at
Port Arthur. who are assisted By ladies.
There are 30 nurses for each 1869 pa
tients. The ladies devote most of their
time to the making of clothes for the
soldiers. The laundry work is done BY
the poor women and the wives OF the
enlisted men. The sick and wounded
are thus kept supplied with clean cloth
ing. The laundry work has to be done
in dreadful heat.
There are no contagious diseases at
Port Arthur, but many deaths are re-
sulting from the bites of large red
headed fly. which feeds on the decom-
posing eOrpses scattered over the bat
tlefields. A doctor who was bitten on
the thumb by one of these flies instant
ly severed that member He then had
his arm amputateu, Dut not before the
poison had reached his heart. The re-
suit OF the bite was fatal.
The old town Of Port Arthur Is al
most entirely wrecked. The streets are
filed with holes made by exploding
shells The loss of life in Port Arthur
from the bombardments has been re-
markably small. Once counted 81
Japanese shells fired at Russian bat
terry. not one of which reached its
mark.
81 assure you," Mrs. Kravtchenko
said, in conclusion. to the correspon-
dent, that | believe Port Arthur will
stand against the Japanese. l don't
think the stronghold will fall"
Go TO Norris, the ieweler, for wedding
presents.