The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-26
JAPS ATTACK DESPERATELY.
at Port Arthur Has Been Con.
tinuOus for o Week.
Special Gable Despatch to THE SUN.

Special Gable Despatch to THE SUN.
CHEYoo, Sept. 25.-According to news
from Chinese sources the attack on Port
Arthur which began last Monday and is
still going on has resulted thus far in the
besiegers capturing several important posi-
tions, enabling them to threaten the Russian
possession of the large forts guarding the
north northeast and northwest sections Of
the fortress. 1t is stated that three i'm
portant forts and six smaller ones have
been taken by the Japanese, the smaller
ones being between Shuashiyen and En-
mngshan.
The bombardment began before dawn
on Sept. 10, tremendous salvos of artillery
suddenly breaking the comparative mac
tivity. For fifty hours the roar OF huge
guns was incessant, many firing from
quarters previously unoccupied, showing
that the japanese have mounted many
new guns. At noon on Sept. 30 the jap
anese infantry OF the right and centre ad-
vanced. using the picket trenches and
availing themselves of every possible cover,
which, however was slight. The small
forts south of Shuishiyen were meagrely
garrsoned, and they made only a brief
resistance.
The next objective was Kuropatkin Fort.
south of Palichwang This fort was named
for Gen. Kuropatkin, 1t having been erected
by his advice. When he inspected the
fortress he pointed out the weakness of the
position and directed that it be strength
ened as quickly az possible because it pro-
tects the water supply. Although 1t is in
the main chain of forts it was never as
strong as the others, and it was captured
after severe fighting, giving the Japanese a
fresh base from which to operate against
Ehrlangshan, which was thus more SER
iously threatened than ever.
Later. on Sept. 20, the Japanese capt
rred supplementary fort on lower ground,
which threatened Etsehan. In the course
of the days fighting the Japanese had
10 resist several sorties. Night brought
them no rest. The Japanese artillery con-
tinued severe cannonade. especially
against another supplementary fort 5000
metres west OF Etsehan. This position was
shelled numerically until its fire visibly
eackened, when the Japanese assaulted it.
They met with stubborn resistance.
The Japanese, who were exposed to the fire
Of machine guns and rifles, made frantic
efforts to reach the crest, leaping over the
trenches and embankment and tearing
away the entanglenents until they at last
entered Even then the Russians refused
to desert the fort despite the superior num-
hers pitted against them. Desperate hand
to-hand fighting occurred inside the fort.
Nearly all the garrison were eventually
killed or wounded.
LONDON, Sept. 28.-Neither Russia nor
japan issues any information regarding
the renewed and severe fighting at Port
Arthur, all the news OF which comes from
Chefoo. It was asserted some time ago
that the Japanese had captured the water
supply Of the fortress.
The Russians, 1t was said, had been re-
duoed to distilling sea water, and the short
age Of coal and the necessity for outstanding
the supply Of fuel for the warships threat
ened to prevent even a supply from this
source. None of the stories that the garri-
son is without water can be verified.
The Chefoo correspondent OF the Teie-
graph says that reports from official sources
state that a fierce bombardnent OF Port
Arthur is being continued night and day.
The Russians have mounted new guns
on the rocky precipices Of Liaotishan,
and are answering shell for shell. The
Japanese assert that the enemy is either
well supplied with ammunition or is using
1t recklessy
Officers OF the British steamer Victoria,
from Newchwang for Kobe, which ar
rived at Chefoo on Saturday, say that the |
coast line seemed to be ablaze with the |
flashes Of guns. When they were ten miles |
from Liaotishan the vessel was stopped |
by three Japanese torpedo boats and was
boarded and examined Later she was
intercepted by n cruiser, but was allowed
to proceed. The officers were told that a
great artillery engagement was raging.
The bombardment was succeeded by an