New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-17
JAPANESE TAKE A FORT.
Many Shells Failing in Port Arth"r
Tunnels Under Def6nceS.

Che-FOo, Sept. 16-The japanese troops De-
tween September and 10 captured a Tort
on high hill two miles east Of Golden Hill by
assault. The fighting not severe me
japanese were able TO remain in the tort be-
cause the quality of the powder used at Golden
Hill was so poor that many shells Iel snort
/ and others failed to explode.
The foregoing information was received from
an intelligent Chinese, who left Port Arthur on
September 10 He had been dockyard laborer
there for many years. He adds that the jap
arese are tunnelling under the Russian FORTS
with the intention of blowing them up. He
saws that the work OF tunnelling is slow and
arduous, and will probably be successful.
The Russians have placed mines under all the
public buildings. wharves. arsenals, ana every
thing that could possibly be Of use to the Jap
anese. with the intention of causing their de-
struction should the Japanese enter the city.
The house formerly occupied by Vieeroy Alex
Jeff was hit by shell recently and partially
wrecked Another shell struck a destroyer
which was lying in dock undergoing repairs
knocking II into kindling wood and killing seven
sailors This shell came from the Japanese
fleet which comes in much closer than formerly
daily throwing a few shells. One shell demoi-
isbed several engines in the dockyards. and
killed an officer and two men.
The fort which the japanese captured Is not
regarded as essential to the defence OF Port Ar
thur. although it is obvious there VIII be some
disadvantage from its occupation as the Jap
anese are constantly receiving heavy guns from
Japan to which the Russians are unable to
reply effectively.
Tho Chinese Is unable to describe this fort. but
the comparatively weak resistance of the Rus
SLAMS suggests II was an outpost This assault
was the only to take place since August 81
The Ave I1-inch guns Golden Hill which
were formerly pointed seward have been re-
arranged. three of them now pointing landward.
The Chinese alleges that all of the guns except
the 1O-tnch and Pinch. have been removed to
land batteries from the battleships, where they
were of little use OF all the ships in the har-
Dor only six are fully able to take part IN an
other fight at present.
A month ago the Golden Hill batteries threat
ened Shu-shi-Yen. Now. the Chinese says. the
shells fall far short of that point.
ST. Petersburg. Sept. 16-A telegram from
Hardin says the following report has been re-
ceived from Port arthur:
Our garrison is in good spirits and there is
is prepared to make n long, obstinate defence.
The japanese are strongly terrifying their po-
sltiOns near the Kn-Chow isthmus. ana are
intrenching before Port Arthur
Other adyices received here are not encour-
has attended the defence. the Russian lines are
being drawn closer, the garrison is undergoing
severe privations. and its resisting power Is
weakening under the strain. A Anal sortie OF
the Russian squadron at Port Arthur may be
expected at any time. When the command OF
the squadron was turned over to Rear Admiral
Wren he received strict instructions that II the
fortress falls not one Of the Russian ships must
fan into the hands Of the japanese.
Shanghai Sept. 16.-"The North China Daily
News" to-day publishes private letter from
Chinese Interpreter employed from 1897 until
the end Of August last in the commissariat de-
partment at Port Arthur. The writer says that
in February last the department supplied daily
80. 600 rations TO the Russian land forces alone
the naval forces supplying themselves. He
adds:
When we departed only 5000 ratons were
supplied daily TO the whole garrison. including
the crews of the -ironclads, which are now
manning the forts. There are now 24OoO sick
and wounded men at Port Arthur. OF ammu-
milton of all kinds there are very small stocks
and there are only five weeks fun ratiOns re-
naming.
The interpreter also says the garrison OF Port
Arthur. the officers excepted, is anxious to sur
render