Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-23
CONFLICT IS RAGING
Japanese Pouring In a Heavy
 Fire on Port Arthur.
CARS SHIPS MUST LEAVE SHANGHAI
American Warships, While Outward " Inactive, Have Practically
 Cleared For Action, With Gun
 Sights Ready and Steam Up. U


 LONDON, Aug. 23.-Advices from Chefu say that the news of the general assault on Port Arthur indicates that a tremendous conflict Is raging and that victory is hanging in the balance. The Japanese yesterday bombarded Port Arthur from o'clock in the morning until 1 o'clock in the after noon, pouring in a heavy fire, but the Russians succeeded in silencing the Japanese batteries. The Japanese fleet was not engaged, having put further out to sea.
 The Japanese have swept the Rus sians from Pigeon bay and captured the northernmost fort of the western line of inner defenses at Port Arthur. The Russian artillery prevents the Japanese from occupying the fort on Pigeon bay.
 With each additional report from Port Arthur wonder increases both at the persistence of the Japanese attack and the heroic stubbornness of the de- 1 lenders of the fortress. The Japanese are literally throwing away thousands of lives in the hope of shaking the | GOGLdSC OI LllG INuSSIdL LIOOpSs 1 According to a Moscow report, Lieu tenant General Stoessel concluded a telegram to an intimate friend there with the words: Farewell forever. Port Arthur will be my tomb" Information from Port Arthur shows that the besiegers have been re-en- forced by 3O,OOO men from the north. 1 It is reported that the Japanese have 1 captured Fort No. 25, one mile north l of Golden hill. They are not attempt 1 ing to storm Liaotsaishan promontory. | Their right wing stops at Pigeon bay.
 The Russian garrison of Port Arthur is estimated at 28,Oo0 men, covering an area of twelve miles.
 The Japanese main attack has been the heaviest against the Russian cen ter and right, particularly against the center, fronting which the Japanese have taken up a strong position at Shu- siyen.
 The temperament of the Russian gar rison is dogged and determined. Gen l eral Stoessel, who is heavy, rides cease lessly his chargers, which are showing | the strain upon them, although the general changes his mounts frequently
 Both officers and men have grown in different to the shells which enter the town frequently. Recently the Chinese theater was hit, and a score of people were killed or wounded.
 An unusually large proportion of l young company officers have been kill ed, which is partially owing to their duties and to reckless daring. At Shanghai, the taotai has granted the Russian cruiser Askold and de. gtroyer Grozovoi till noon today to leave port.
 The Russian vessels will not be al. lowed to make any further repairs.
 The Japanese torpedo boat whose ar. rival here caused much excitement and which was followed to her an. chorage by the United States torpedo boat Chauncey, has left the harbor She carried dispatches for a Japanese fleet lying off the mouth of the river
 The American warships at Shanghai l while outwardly inactive, have been for several days practically cleared foH action. Their gun sights are in posi- tion, and they keep steam up. Admiral Stirling is determined not to allow the Japanese to interfere with the Russian ships, and has offered to escort them outside the three mile limit.
 later report says that as soon as China and Japan come to an agree ment the Askold and Grozovoi will be disarmed, the admiralty having de cided that 1t would be suicidal to send them out against the superior force o1 the Japanese lying in wait.
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