The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-11-08
INNER FORTS CAPTURED
The Fall Of Port Arthur Expected
Almost Hourly.
JAPANESE SUSTAIN HEAVY / 0SSES

Dispatches Report the Mikadc's Troops
to BE ip d Position to Take the Last
Forts whenever They Were Prepared
to DO so-The Inhabitants q the city
Flee to Points Of Safety.
London, Eng. -The Chefoo CORE.
spondent Of the Telegraph, in a dis
patch, says he learns that the latest
assault ON Port Arthur was repulsed-
The japanese carried many trenches
in front of the fort, but were unable
to capture the forts. The Japanese
losses were heavier than In any preyi-
GUS attack.
japanese at Chefoo admit that they
received authentic bad news, but they
declare that the lighting win be con-
tinued.
There was no official statement con-
corning the position OF affairs ait Port
Arthur, but numerous reports have
been received that are exciting the
highest expectations. 1t is stated that
the principal forts have fallen, that the
city was in great confusion and that
the inhabitants are preparing to flee
The Russian warships in the harbor
have been repeatedly struck by shells,
and a gunboat was sunk.
A dispatch, dated at the headquar-
tiers of the Third Japanese Army, in
front Of Port Arthur, received at Che
foo, states that the Japanese by their
last assault gained positions rendering
certain their ability to enter the main
eastern forts at Port Arthur whenever
they should be ready. The Japanese
calculate that if the Russians do not
surrender they will be able to prolong
a final stand in the Tigers Tail and
Liaotishan forts for month.
The Japanese have not occupied the
main forts on the highest points of the
eastern hills. but hold positions which
will enable them to drive the Russians
back whenever that is desired. When
they hold the fort on the east ridge
they will completely dominate the 9th.
er forts with artillery. They have
completed the placing of eleven howit-
zers.
AL the reserves were advanced. A
network of trenches had been con-
structed, facing the eastern ridge and
forts, from south of Keekwan to west
of Uhrlung, called by the Japanese
Shochosan.
There was bombardment at dawn
and infantry attacks were planned for
noon against the two forts on Urling-
shan, an entrenched hill between Ban
jusan and the Keekwan ridge and the
three Keekwan forts. There was tre-
mendous excitement among the troops,
who were convinced that success
would mean the capture of the forts
and the ridge and the surrender OF
Port Arthur in time for the Emper-
or's birthday. Explosions were heard
at ChefOo, pointing to the destruction
of Russian magazines and mines.
Toxic, Japan. The Jill reports that
the attack on the main positions Of
Port Arthur was resumed and was
progressing satisfactorily The indi-
cations were that the forts on UrIung-
shan and Sungshushan would soon be
taken.
The Russians have blown up and de-
stroyed their own forts between the
main line Of defense and the town.
The people of the town were busy
seeking shelter from the japanese
shells.
The Japanese shelled the warships
anchored near Paiyu Fills. between
the old and new towns. Several shells
have been effective, destroying as
least one gunboat.