Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-12-07
JAPS EXPECT A SORTIE.
Think Russian Fleet Will At
tempt to Escape from
Port Arthur.
SHIPS BADLY DAMAGED.
Although Squadron Is in Bad Shape 1t
Can Still Put UP
Fight.

eral opinion here that the Port Arthur
fleet will attempt to make a sorties when
the harbor becomes untenable or when
the Russians plans for escape mature.
It is evident that most Of the ships are
badly damaged and unfit for service, but
some have fighting power. The Russians
continue mine-clearing operations, mani
testify for the purpose Of preserving an
avenue Of escape.
The first armistice between the COM
batants at Port Arthur was declared on
December 2. for the purpose of burying
the dead. 1t lasted for a period Of six
hours.
Comedies Doom of City.
ST. Petersburg, Dec. 3.-With the con-
frmation Of the news that the japanese
have occupied the 203 Meter hill and the
report that the Russians unsuccessfully
attempted its recapture, officials at the
war office are beginning to prepare them
selves for the inevitable.
Golden hill and Liaoti hill are higher
and dominate 2O3 Meter hill, but the
officials say that if the japanese succeed
IN mounting heavy guns upon the latter
it probably will be only a question Of
days or weeks before the fortress falls.
Stoessel Will Not Surrender.
Still, there is not the slightest idea
among Gen. StOessePs friends that he
will surrender, even if he should be or
dered to do so. 1t is limited that it is
possible that if the fall of the fortress
is shown to be inevitable, the Emperor
may direct its surrender in order to pre-
vent the unnecessary sacrifice of the
remnant of its brave defenders; but it is
believed by those who know Gen. Stoes-
sci best that he will literally make good
his threat to hold out to the last man
and the last cartridge in Port Arthur.
Want Black Sea Fleet Out.
The question Of the ACCESSIBILITY of re-
inforcing Vice Admiral Rojestvensky's
squadron with the Black sea feet is again
beng agltated by some Of the papers,
notably the Novoe Vremya, which points
out that with the addition of the Black
sea vessels Rojestvensky will have SUI
periOrity which will insure victory over
Admiral Togo's fleet.
The NOvoe Fremya calls attention to
the fact that Japan was not one of the
signatories Of the treaty closing the Oar
danelles, and asserts that if Japan had
the power she might force an entrance
into the Black sea and engage the Rus
sian fleet. Conversely, the paper con-
tinues, with the consent of the porte
there is nothing in the treaty to prevent
the exit Of the Black sea feet to fight
some power which is in nowiSe involved
in the treaty.
1t is argued that Great Britain is the
only power which might attempt to make
trouble over the juncture of the two
fleets.
The admiralty does not admit that the
subject has been revived. Neither does
the foreign office admit that any pressure
is being exercised to secure the consent
OF the porte for the passage Of the Oar
danelles by the Black sea fleet.
Japan Complains of Spain.
Madrid, Dec. 3.-Japan has made off,
cial complaint to Spain regarding the at
titude of the Spanish government in per-
hitting vessels Of the Russian second
Pacific squadron to coal and yictual at
Vigo.
The japanese minister today admitted
that he had recently made representa-
tons on the subject and said he had sub
mitted SPANS reply to Toxic.
At the foreign Office it is stated that
Spain's reply explained the situation and
took I'D the position that Spain observed
the strictest neutrality. The japanese
minister says he has not received further
instructions since forwarding the reply.
Capture japanese Guns.
Mukden, Dec. 3.-It is reported that
Gen Rennenkampff has captured several
Japanese guns and a convoy with GOO
rifles, but that a force of 10000, consist
ing of Chinese bandits and q reserve of
5000 japanese, has started to turn Ken
ncnkampn HANK.
Sharpshooters Kill Japs.
st. Petersburg, Dec. 3.-Gen. Sakha-
rolf telegraphing yesterday, reports sue
cessful reconnaissance by sharpshooters
Thursday night, in the direction of the
Japanese entertainments southwest of
Tungoon CTunganon0. The Russians
first bayontted a japanese outpost Of
thirty men, surmounted barb wire ell
tanglements, entered the entertainments
Tow
Reinforcements coming up attacked the
sharpshooters with hand grenades, fore
ing the Russians to retire. The Russians
carried off five dead and fourteen
wounded, some japanese rifles and am
munition.
Russians Twice Repulsed.
Toxic, Dec. 3.-Manchuria headquar-
tiers, reporting Friday night, says:
ION Thursday, at 10 in the evening,
the enerny's infantry attacked Maciua-
nantzu mountain, but We're Immediately
repulsed. On Friday morning the enemy's
infantry and cavalry approached Hung
tipietatitzu, but were driven off,
Russia to Borrow Millions.
St. Petersburg, Dec. 3.-The Asso-
ciated Press is able to confirm the pre-
vious reports from London and Paris that
the negotiations in Berlin for a loan of
500 OOO, 600, to be issued early in Janu-
ary, nave Deeu COulplGlCu anu HcSOlld-
tons are progressing for another loan
of $2OO,OOO,0OO (not $16O,O0O,00O) in
France The latter will not be issued
until April.
Japs Must Borrow 100000 900.
Toxic, Dec 3.-Premier Katsura and
Minister Of Finance Some addressed the
House of Representatives today on the
occasion of the formal presentation Of the
budget and government measures. The
war budget totals $390,000,OOO, including
provision for the interest on outstanding
loans The minister, summarizing the
sources of revenue, said it would be nee
essary in 1905 to borrow only 1925, OO0,-
OOO In preparing the financial pro-
sramme the government had carefully
weighed the capacity Of the people and
had taken steps to preserve the national
credit Economies in ordinary eXpendi-
lures permitted the diversion of $6O,000,-
coo to the war fund. The war and ordi-
nary budgets totalled about 100000, 600.
In conclusion, the minister urged the
House 10 carefully consider the BUDGET