The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-26
JAPS DRAW LINES
TIGHTER AROUND
STOESSEL'S ARMY
Nogi Holds Advanced
Positions at Port
Arthur.
DRIVE BACK RUSSIANS
Three important Heights
Taken After Two Days
Fighting.
DRIVE BACK RUSSIANS

TOKYO, Dec. 26-The Japanese right
army has attacked Houyangshu and
Siafang and occupied the two villages
Subsequently they made further ad-
vance, driving the Russians before them,
and at o'clock Christmas morning oc-
cupied Kaliukiatung, thus com npleting
the occupation of all the Russian ad-
vanced positions on the front and right
It was announced today that eight
officers and sixty-six bluejackets were
killed during the efforts of the japanese
to destroy the remnant of the Russian
Port Arthur feet
Drawing Lines Closer.
LONDON. Dec. Corporations were
completed Christmas morning, by which
all the Russian advanced positions west
of Port Arthur fell into the hands OF
the japanese. together with the reported
offer of the Russians 20 surrender, fol-
lowing the recent japanese successes,
prepare observers here TO expert still
more important news in a few days.
This may not, perhaps, be an an
nouncement of final triumph, bat it is
anticipated that it will at least indicate
the complete isolation of Liaotishan,
where the Russians, ii is understood, are
prepared to make their last desperate
stand Indeed, IT IS thought the pos
session of the points mentioned in the
latest report from the japanese legation
may already give this advantage, as IT
seems TO enable General Nogi 10 endIade
any troops moving toward Liaotishan-
Much Severe Fighting.
The lighting since December Is seems
10 have BEEN severe in many directions
although il was less terrible than the
earlier battles.
The '.Telegraph's'' Chefoo correspond
ent quotes a messenger from Port
Arthur as SAYING that there has been q
furious bombardment since December 20
of Erhlungshan and EIseshan by 300 big
guns, which drove the Russians from
their outer works. although the Japa-
nese subsequently advancing against
Etsehan We're moved down by hundreds
by the Russian machine guns.
The correspondent says that the Jap
anese are preparing 20 make their next
great attack on the Russians Christmas
Day Many transports are arriving al
Dalny with re-enforcements and guns
Say Generals Are Alive
Referring 10 the reported killing Of
I
the wounding of General Fook. the cor
respondent quotes Russian official re-
port, dated December Is. showing that
none Of them was hurt.
| Saturdays skirmishing- reported by
| General kuropatkin. seems to have been
red recently. but it cannot be learned
that the situation on the Sha River has
| been changed in anyway.
The -'Telegraph's" chefoo eorrespon-
ed on European horses are cOucentrat-
i ed between the Lao River and the Jap
| anese left flank. Their patrols extend
to near Kaopantze. in neutral territory
Watching Toga's Fleet.
| Increasing attention IS Deing paid Il
the movements of the japanese feel
that is watching the Baltic fleet II Is
reported that Admiral TOgo's whole fee
has gone TO the westward. but this Is
not confirmed. Vice Admiral Uriu, il Is
stated. is preparing 10 search for Rus
sian colliers on the coasts OF Java Su
maIra and other islands
1t is reported that the British police
at Singapore are keeping under SurYelt-
lance a number of mysterious persons
from China who are trying to charter d
fast steamer TO warn the Russian col
liers TO change their destination
J II an interview yesterday NiScoun1
Hayashi. the Japanese minister here
said he knew nothing about the media
! tion rumOreS.
BesiegeTs Push Hard.
The opera tions which have resulted II
thus tightening the lines around Porf
Arthur began on Friday morning whe,
the japanese attacked east of Houyang
shu.
Though fighting under a severe f1r,
from the Russian batteries on a nearb,
hill. the b5sieGerS steadily advanced
capturing some of the positions afte
desperate hand-to-haud fighting