Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-08-24
MORE JAP TROOPS SENT.
Requirements to Aid in Captur e
of Port Arthur.
RUSSIANS HOLDING OUT
Since Friday a Desperate Battle Has
Ragged Almost Unceasingly-Ships
Try to Leave Harbor.

ment today from Chefoo that the Chinese
local authorities there as well as the Chi
nese population are greatly alarmed over
the prospect that the japanese fleet will
land at Chefoo and seek to destroy the
wireless telegraph system which has been
operating with Port Arthur.
Chefoo, Aug. 22.-9 p. MT is as
serted in reliable quarters at Port Ar
thur that the japanese have received
reinforcements of 10000 men from the
north.
The steamer Victoria, which arrived
here this evening from New Chwang, re-
ports hearing spasmodically heavy firing
at Louisa and Pigeon bays, respectively
northwest and west of Port Arthur be-
tween 10 o'clock last night and IN the
morning. She saw searchllghts playing
freel yand skyrockets signalling them this
morning The ship was too far away to
hear or see anything further.
Chefoo, Aug. 22.-Noon.-The Chinese
just arrived who bring the latest infor-
nation from Port Arthur were employed
by the Russian authorities carrying the
dead off the field and also ammunition,
which they say is plentiful, confirm the
statement that the Liati promontory was
not assaulted for the reason that it was
impregnable from the sea side and the
japanese are una bic to move on it from
the north.
The japanese main attack has been
the heaviest against the Russian center
and right, particularly against the cen
ter, fronting which the Japanese have
taken up a strong position at Shu Shi
Yen.
Attacks Made at Night.
Pigeon bay had been the scene of fight
ing several days before the final assault
had begun, the japanese never being able
to hold for long any territory they might
gain. Their attacks were made mostly
at night, during foggy days and misty
mornings.
The japanese believe that their SUI
perior physical condition will win the bat
tie for them by wearing out the Russian
garrison, which is constituted of less
hardened material down to the point Of
exhaustion by the persistency of their
attack and their refusal TO accept re-
pulse.
The temperament of the Russian garri-
son is logged and determined.
Gen. Stoessel, who is heavy, rides
ceaseIessly on his chargers. which arc
showing the strain upon them, although
the general changes his mounts frequent
ly.
Many Killed in Theater.
Both officers and soldiers have grown
indifferent 20 the shells which enter the
town frequently. Recently the Chinese
theater was hit and a score of people were
killed and wounded. One shell exploded
i'll the corral of the Chinese, who tell the
story, killing five donkeys.
Civilians are allowed TO leave the bomb
proofs during the lulls in artillery fire,
but these intermissions are rare and ev-
erybody is worn and anxious over the
situation. An unusually large proportion
of young company officers have been
killed, which is partially owing to their
duties and to their reckless daring.
While the Russian apparently believe
they will hold the Japanese in check,
their confidence in their successful re-
sistance is not absolute.
Jap Guns Command City,
The Japanese have guns mounted on
nearly all the hills which formerly formed
Russian outposts. The Japanese fire
nese houses at Port Arthur are full of
Russian wounded. The narrators say the
dead, until ready for burial, are stored
III warehouses and then are buried on the
outskirts Of the town, quicklime being
used frequently to prevent qualification.
The torpedo boats and two gun boats
are being repaired in the dockyard and
basin, the other ships being behind the
shelter of Tigers Tail peninsula.
Ihe Junks now depart from Liaotie
lighthouse. That point has been hit by
a she'll
Japs Meet with Difficulties.
London, Aug. 22-There is the keenest
anxiety here For news Of the progress
of the siege Of Port Arthur but it is
difficult to extract reliable details out of
Che yolumlnOus stories from the refugees
at Chefoo. The reiterated reports Of
japanese reverses arrive through Rus
sian as well as Chinese sources and the
complete silence in Toxic on this subject
is interpreted as showing that the Japa-
neSe are experiencing unexpected diff
culties.
The Shanghai correspondent OF the
Daily Mail says news has reached Toxic
that the delay in capturing the fortress
is due to the difficulty in establishing
satisfactory artillery base.
Fleet Tries to Leave.
Chefoo. Aug. Oft is reported that
the Russian fleet again attempted to leave
Fort Arthur Saturday evening, but was
driven back. 1t is stated that the Jana
nese attack On Port Arthur began Fri
day night. The result is not known.
Sweep Russians from Pigeon Bay.
Chefoo, Aug. 22.-The japanese have
swept the Russians 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 forts on
Pigeon bay.
1t is reported that the Japanese can
tured fort No. p, one mile from Golden
hill.
The Japanese plans include three
days assault with 10000 men.
Tremendous Conflict Raging.
Chefoo, Aug. 22.-(Noon) first
detailed news of the general assault on
Port Arthur indicates that tremendous
conflict is raging and that victory is
hanging in the balance.
Chinese who left Port Arthur and ar
rived here today state that the japanese.
by making desperate charges. which
We're. reinforced by artillery fire from
Shushi 4ien and Louisa bay. swept from
the north into Pigeon bay territory and
drove the Russians back from the main
forts.
The ground being comparatively fat in
this vicinity, the Japanese were unable
to hold it III the face of the Russian ar
t:llery fire and they retired north an
eighth of Il mile beyond the scene Of
fire.
Capture Important Forts
The Chinese declare that the JaDanesa