The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-08-26
RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

fuses to disarm the Askold and the
Russian torpedo boat destroyer Grozo-
vol, or to order them to leave the
harbOr.
Doubted In Washington.
Washington, Aug. 23.-Some doubt
was expressed at the Japanese lega-
ton last night that a United States
torpedo boat should have deliberately
put herself between the Russian ships
and a Japanese torpedo boat which al.
rived on the port yesterday. The
opinion "a expressed that the Japan
csc vessel had a perfect right to go in
and ~reconnoiter to ascertain If the
Russian ships had disarmed, and this
is believed by the legation officials to
have been her object rather than to at
tack the Russian vessels lying at
Shanghai and thus violate neutrality.
important Capture by Japs.
Chefu, Aug. 23.-The Japanese have
swept the Russians from Pigeon bay
and captured the northernmost fort of
the western line of inner d%efenses at
Port Arthur. The Russian artillery
prevents Tie JdpdACSC lIOIu luz
the fort OF Pigeon bay.
Russian Cruiser Beached.
Toxic, Aug. 23.-After a severe en-
gagement with the protected cruisers
Chitose and Tsushima, the greyhounds
of the Japanese navy, the fleet Rus
sian cruiser Novik has been van
pushed. The ght occurred yesterday.
After it the Novik nearly sank, but
was beached at Korsakavsk. The de-
tails of yesterdays fight are not
known here, but it is evident that the
Chitose and Tsushima caught up with
the Novik and that running fight en-
sued. Capt. Takahashi, who is in
command of the Chitose, reported the
engagement in q brief telegram which
reached the navy department here
this morning. He said he first at
tackled the Russian cruiser Saturday
afternoon, and that on Sunday morn
ing he inflicted heavy damage upon
her. The Novik nearly sank, but was
beached at Korsakovsk.
Making Their Final Stand.
Chefu, Aug. 20.-According to jap
anese naval officers, a general attack
along their entire line had been
PLANNED for to-day, following the
capture of Forts No. 3 and 4, effected
on Wednesday.
Non-combatants continue to arrive
here by the score, and practically all
express the belief that the fall of the
fortress is imminent.
Last night the chief of the civil po-
lice Of Port Arthur arrived on a junk
that sailed from the fortres at 10
o'clock Wednesday night.
He asserts that the main attack Of
the Japanese is now being delivered
lenses. The
Losses Of the Assailants
on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
OF this week he estimates at 5000.
Two regiments of infantry, one bat
terry of artillery and two squadrons Of
cavalry were destroyed on Tuesday,
he asserts, by the explosion Of land
mines while they were rushing the
defenses in Forts 3 and 4. The jap
anese, however, captured these posi-
tions on Wednesday.
When the junk left the harbor of
Port Arthur last Wednesday night the
following warships were there: The
battleships Pobieda, Poltava, Retvi-
Fan, Seyastopol and Peresviet, the
cruisers Bayan and Pallada and q
number Of gunboats, torpedo boats
and destroyers.
According to the Chinese the Rus
SLAMS at Port Arthur are making their
final stand.
Firing at Port Arthur by big guns
was heard distinctly here last night.
10000 Japs Are Sacrificed.
Chefu, Aug. 20. = A battle of huge
proportions ragged around Port Arthur
Aug. IA and Is, and was resumed
Aug. II. The Japanese, it is reported,
sacrificed 10000 more men, but gained
important advantages in the matter of
position. The above news was
brought here on junks, one of which
had on board three Russians con
cealed in the baggage of Chinese to
escape the japanese, left Port Arthur
Chefu by a gale. The main
Decide During Truce.
London, Aug. 20.-The Express cor
respondent at Toxic, under Thurs
days date. says the Japanese COM
menced the final assault on the place
within two hours after the mo sur
render" reply of the garrison had been
delivered.
During the truce 1t was decided. In
the even of Gen. Stoessel returning an
unfavorable answer, to occupy certain
positions. These the Japanese took
possession of on Wednesday evening
without difficulty. The Japanese ar
tillery fire was terrific throughout the
night, and Is continuing without inter.
mission this morning.
Crushing Blows to Russia.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 20.-A feeling
almost akin to despair reigns in the
much tried Russian admiralty. The
ofhcial report of Vice Admiral Skrvd-