River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-11-03
ASSAULTS GROW FIERCER
JAPANESE ATTACK IN PORT AR
THUR RENEWED WITH vIGoR.
Two Forts Said to Have Been Captured
and Russian Battleship
Sunk

Toxic, Oct. 29.-It is reported that the
japanese opened desperate general at
tack on the eastern forts of the Keekwan
group, north of Port Arthur, during the
morning of October 26 and silenced the
Russian batteries. A shell exploded the
Russian magazines. simultaneously
the Japanese attacked the forts on
Rihlung mountain and Straightforward
mountain, silenced the Russian bat
teries and stormed and occupied the
forts in front of these mountains. On
the night of October 26 there was con-
flagration in old Port Arthur, and on
October 81 shell hit the Russian battle
ship Sevastopol and two Russian
steamers were sunk. Official contirma-
ton of the above is lacking, but the re-
ports are believed to be true.
Chefoo, Oct. 31.-The third general
attack on Port Arthur began October "a,
according to unimpeachable authority.
On October 26 Japanese shells set fire
to the only smokeless powder magazine
in Port Arthur. Portions of the town
caught fire, the confagration continuing
the whole day On October 26 the Jap
anese captured the Russian trenches on
the slope of Rihlung mountain, also a
fortified position protecting that fort
ress. The Japanese consider the pro-
gress of the siege to be highly satisfac-
tory.
Mukden, Oct. 31.-The attack by the
Japanese on the Buddhist temple hill
on October 81 led to sharp fighting.
The Japanese artillery played on the po-
sition from early in the morning, rem
dering the trenches untenable, shells
and shrapnel sweeping everything and
demolishing all the shelters. Two ma
chine guns with the battalion defend
ing the hill were smashed and disabled,
but the defenders carried off the re-
mains of the guns when they were
forced to retire. The Japanese infantry
attack under cover Of the commandment
was made in close order. There was a
desperate hand-to-hand fighting in the
trenches, followed by a counter attack
with the bayonet. The Japanese finally
gained the hill, but were unable to hold
it in the face of the deadly Russian ar
tillery fire.
There have been a nu-Aoer of Skin
mishes along the whole front, but no
development of any serious import has
yet appeared, though the armies are in
the closest touch, and general engage
ment may be precipitated at any time.
At one point the trenches are only 400
yards apart. They are separated by a
small stream, which is the only water
supply in the neighborhood. BY mutual
consent there is no firing on the water
carriers, who visit the stream with
buckets. Several positions have already
changed hands many times.
Toxic, Oct. 31.-A report from the
Manchurian army headquarters records
successful night attack against the
Russian outpost at Wumingtsun and
two unsuccessful counter attacks made
by the Russians. The report is as fol-
lows; ION the night of October 20 a
small force of the enemy attacked
Waitao mountain, but were immediate
ly repulsed. October 20 at o'clock in
the morning detachment of infantry
was dispatched from the center army
against Wumingtsun. The enemy was
surprised and the houses occupied by the
enemy were set on fire. Wumingtsun
is located midway between the outposts
of both armies. Using the place as a
base, the enemy made frequent night
attacks against our outposts.