Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-08-25
STRIKES MINE AND sUsTAINs
HEAVY DAMAGE-WAs Boha~
BARDlNG ENEMY.
RUSSIANS WILL DIsARM,


Probably Be Put Out of Commission
In Order to Avoid international
Complications. Japanese Continue
to Close In on Russians.
Washington, D. c., Aug. 3D.
The Japanese legation here re-
ceived the following dispatch to-
day from Toxic:
"The Russian battleship Sevas-
topool, while bombardna the Jap.
anese position on land from the
outside OF Port Arthur harbor on
August 90, struck mine and In.
clined considerably to tho star.
board with her bow submerged.
She was towed inside"
Paris, Aug 24.--There Is reason to
believe that decision is about to be
taken providing for the voluntary dis.
arming of the Russian cruiser Askold
and the destroyer Grozovoi, at Shang-
hai and of the cruiser Diana at Sal.
gon.
This will be done primarily to avoid
possible capture of the vessels by the
Japanese.
Another Extension Granted.
Washington. d. c., Aug. 24.-The
state department has been advised
that the wai-wu-tu of Shanghai has
extended the time for repairs on the
Russian ships in Shanghai to noon on
August 2S.
The wai-wu-tu is the Chinese for
eign Office.
Two Forts Sienced.
| Chez Foo, Aug. 24.-Information OF
undoubted authenticity states that
the Japanese cruiser Nisshin and Ka-
suga have bombarded and silenced the
i Russian forts east III i5nlden Hill oh
the entrance to Port Arthur.
The forts referred to are probably
the same or very close to the forts
Taitangtze and Thaochanko, men
toned in former dispatches.
Else in Center Of Chain.
London, Aug. 24.--Etsehan fort, or
Etse fort which was reported as car
tured by the Japanese in yesterday's
dispatches, is almost in the center off
the chain of forts, of which 1t forms
one, defending Port Arthur, from
which 1T is only about mile and a.
half distant. 1t occupies commando
ing position and is possibly only sec
ond in Importance to the Golden hill
| forts.
1t was announced from Chez Foo on
Monday that the Japanese had swept
the Russians from Pigeon bay and
had captured the northernmost fort Of
the western line of inner defenses, !,
hot 1rt o1>
northeast of Etseshan fort, might also
be classed as the northernmost fort
of the western line of inner defensesi
at Port Arthur,
Meano Long Conflict.
The best authorities here who have,
been watching the progress OF the
| fighting at Port Arthur declare thatI.
the present method of attack means
a long fight, nearly all Of which areI
dominated by Golden hill Most Of
them are under the guns of others in
the chain.
This, the experts here say, means /
that as fast as the Japanese take one
of the forts In the ring, the fire of all
the others will be concentrated uponl
| it, making it untenable and useless toll
the assailants.
| ToTtS dominate EaCn Otner.
Attention is called to the fact that
all these forts, while presenting black
faces to the Japanese attacks from
without the ring, are open toward the
/ inside of 1t. and consequently no one
nor two of them would be of any use
to the Japanese unless the guns of all
the rest or nearly all the rest are si.S
| fenced
1 III
| tion of affairs Is Else fort, or Else,
shan. now held by the japanese
! VOLTS hill, where the Japanese also,
are in possession, cannot be raked byl
the inner circle guns, but VOLTS hill}
| Is outside that circle and some dis
tance away. According to the opin.i
ion here 1t is a question of how long
10000 men defending the garrison can
endure the ceaseless fighting against
enormous odds and against troops
which can fight in relays and thereby
secure intervals of rest It Is beliey.
ed that the storming of Port Arthur
is almost military impossibility.
Sudden Change In Tone.
There is sensational change OF
note in the following dispatch from
the Daily Express correspondent at
| Chez Foo:
The spirits Of the garrison have
been greatly raised through the prac-
tical failure of the three days assault. Z
and 1t is now believed that active op-
erations by the Japanese are for the
present at an end and the usual siege
tactics are being resumed.
There is still fair supply of food
in Port Arthur, and by putting the
troops on strict siege rations 1t is be.
lieved General Stoessel can hold out
| Continued nm PAGE q.