Evening journal., 1904-12-03
Russia Expects Port Ar
thur to Fail If Japs
Hold 2o3-Meter Hill
Gen. SfoessePs Friends
Believe He VIII Refuse
to Surrender

ST. Petersburg, Dec. 5.-With tho
confirmation of the news t'Sat the jap
auese have occupied 2O3-Metre Hill
and the report that the Russians uh-
successfully attempted its recaptWc,
officials at the war Office are beginning
n prepare themselves fer the newt
able Golden Hin and Liaod iiill are
higher and dominate 203-Metre Hiil,
but the officials say that if the Japa-
nese succeed in mounting heavy gls,s
on the latter it probably viii be o7ly
n question of days or weeks before the
fortress falls Still there is not tho
slightest idea among General stoes-
sells friends that ne VIII surend,i
even n he should be ordered TO DO go.
il is hinted that IL IS possible that il
the fall Of the fortress is shown TO ue
inevitable. the emperor may direct its
surrender In order to prevent the uli-
necessary sacrifice Of the remnant Of
It's brave defenders; but It IL believed
,by those who know General stoesse
best that he viii literally make good
his threat 10 hold ont TO the last man
and the last cartridge in Port Arthur
The ships IN the harbor. il can now
be stated on high authority. are in no
condition 20 attempt to break through
the investing squadron. The guns of
the warships We're long ago landed.
and the marines and sailors have been
plrticipating in the land defense.
Some Of the ships also have been in
jured by shells II the fortress falls It
Is understood that they will be taken
outside and sunk in deep water IN
order to prevent the possibility of their
ever being OF service to the enemy.
The question OF the advisahility Of
reinforcing Vice Admiral Roiestvenb-
ky's squadron with-the Black Sea
fleet is again being agitated by some
Of the papers, notably the Novce
Vremya, which points out that with
the addition of the Black Sea vessels
Rciestvensky will have a superiority
which will insure victory over Admiral
Togo's fleet. The project was warmly
adv ocated by some officers OF the ad-
miralty before the war, but II never
was sanctioned and the admiralty
does not admit that the subject has
boon revived. Neither does the foreihn
Office admit that any pressure is be-
ing exercised to secure the consent OF
the Porte for the passage of the Dar-
danells by the Black Sea feet
The situation Of the armies below
Mukden is again attracting attention.
but the movements in progress are
very puzzling. The war office is III
clined to reticence
General Rennenkampfi has hotly
PURSUED a Japanese detachment below
Sintsintin. as far as the Taitse river
and on the right Russian scouts have
explored the Hun river below Liao
Yang All the passes fcll into Pen
nenkampff's hands, The japanese an
parently failed 20 show their old-;ime
form. and official as well as unofficial
dispatches indicate that the edge has
been taken of the Japanese nghhrg
capabilities by the Geld weather. rhc
same reports say the Japanese throw
away their rifles.
Il is the general opinion in military
circles that the present situation can
rot continue much longer. but it is
argued that a frontal attack against
fortified positions along the Shakne
river is bound to be disastrous to
whichever side attempts IT, Any seri-
Gus advance TO be successful. It is be-
licved at the war Office. must be ac-
complished by a wide strategic tuln-
ing movement, as the armies are tOo
close for tactical hanking operations.
Among some Of the best informed
officials a suspicion exists that Fled
Marshal Oyama is trying to work XII
roki around east of sintsintin, with a
view 10 striking the Russians abov,
Tic Pass with the object OF agaiI
trying a decisive coup; but no posi-
tive evidence of such a move has ye
appeared.
Reports the last few days indicate
that General Rennenkampn is hot.
following up the Japanese retreat
meeting with comparatively little ne
distance: but some fear is oXprcssc
that he may be running into a JAP;
nese trap formed with the hope
cutting on his command. II is b.
lieved he cannot possibly hold a pos
tion so Far south as the Taitse river.