The Wahpeton times., 1904-08-19
FINAL Assault WILL MEAN
DEATH OF THOUSANDS OF
NoN.coMeATANTs.
DESTRUCTION THREATENS CITY
SHIPS At PORT ARTHUR UNDER
FIRE OF JAPANESE SIEGE
GUNS.

| Toxic. Aug. ia wireless message
from the vicinity OF Port Arthur states
that the Japanese forces have taken
the last line of defenses back of the
fortress and are urging the Russians
to surrender in order to prevent fur
ther loss of life.
| If the Japanese are compelled to
make final assault it will mean the
death of thousands of non.combat-
ants.
An oil warehouse fired by Japan
ese she'll is burning and the city is
threatened with destruction.
Siege Guns in Position.
| st. Petersburg. Aug. IA dispatch
received from Chefu last night dated
Aug 16, and giving undated advices
from Port Arthur, says that the Jap
anese during bombardment occu-
pied strongly fortified positions with
a number of siege guns. After two
hours several of the japanese guns
were slilenced.
The Japanese. these advices say,
are no longer trying to place their
guns in the higher positions, which
are too easily reached by the fire of
the fortress, but are busying them
selves with mining operations against
| the defenses.
Diana Reaches VIadivostok.
London. Aug. IA dispatch to a
news agency from St. Petersburg says
naval officer has telegraphed to his
family that the cruiser Diana of the
Port Arthur squadron has arrived at
Vladivostok.
Cruiser Nevik Sighted.
The Yokohama correspondent of the
Daily Mail says that the cruiser No
vik. of the Port Arthur squadron. has
been sighted off the Strait of Van
Dieman. steering for Vladivostok.
Out Again. in Again.
Chefu. Aug. 1.-THE Russian ships
at Port Arthur made soirtie early
yesterday. The Russians. it is report
ed. did not encounter the Japanese
fleet. but. nevertheless. they returned
to Port Arthur.
Yesterdays sortie is regarded as a
confirmation of previous reports that
the Japanese have occupied an i'm
portant land position. the fire from
which compelled the Russian ships to
leave the harbor. 1t is not certain
that they returned to their former
anchorage after the surtie.
Junks which left Port Arthur on
Aug. 13 report that heavy fighting
was continuing.
PalIaea at the Bottom.
A creditable report states that the
Russian protected cruiser Paliada
was sunk By torpedo in the engage
ment or the night of Aug. 10.
A telegram just received rom
Tsingtau says that the officers of the
Russian battleship Czarevitci insist
that Japanese battleship sank with
in full view during the battle on the
night of Aug. 10.
Until the War Is Over.
Tsingtau, Aug. II. Cove Truppel
yesterday stated to the Associated
Press correspondent that the Russian
ships would not be .ermittet, to leave
the harbor Until a:,.. the conclusion
of the war. A Ja;,..,sse flag lieuten-
ant made an important inspection of
the Russian ships yesterday.
Japanese Wet of MI::dsn.
Mukden. Aug. 17.-There has been
steady downpcur of rain for two
days and the roads are becoming
heavy. No Japanese movement has
been reported southeast of this city.
but the Japanese are reported to be
working around to the westward of
Mukden.
Answer Expected To-Day.
Toxic. Aug. 1.-THE emperor's of.
fer to release the non.combattants at
Port Arthur. coupled with a demand
for the surrender of the fortress, was
delivered yesterday. An answer is
expected to-day.
Something Doing In China.
Pekin, Aug. 1.-THE Chinese rail.
ways have been asked il they have
suficient rolling stock and how quick.
ly they can transport 10000 troops te
Shanhaikwan.