Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-08-10
Conditions in Port Arthur.

Conditions in Port Arthur.
Che Foo. Aug. 5, s a. ms. A.
Serebrinek, who was passenger on
the British steamer hlpsang. which
was sunk by a British torpedo boat
in Pigeon bay July l6. and who was
among the refugees, who arrived here
yesterday on the German steamer
Sulbery consented to be interviewed
today. According to his version. the
fighting before Port ArInur from July
60 to July 2S, inclusive, was directed
against the last of the outer defenses,
namely, Wolfs. Green and Christ hills,
situated north and east OF the city.
The japanese captured VOLTS and
Green hills, but failed 10 take Christ
hill, which was the only outpost held
by the Russians when Mr.. Serebrinek
left Port Arthur. A Port Arthur
newspaper estimated the Russian loss
at 200 killed and 500 wounded. the
Japanese loss at 1900 killed and
wounded.
II was also estimated that the ia.
panese fired 125,000 rounds of shrap.
mel. The ground was covered with
broken shells. The Japanese attack
ing forces was estimated at 100000
men. On the night OF July %, a
truce was declared for the purpose
of burying the dead. which strewed
the hills.
The Russian fleet emerged from the
harbor July 26 and engaged Admiral
Togo, who withdrew to safety beyond
his mines. A Japanese gunboat struck
mine and was damaged, but not
sufficiently to sink her. She was tow.
ed away. The Russian warships then
retired, one squadron going to the
inner basin. the other behind the tt
gers Tail None of them was in.
jured.
The main force of the army defend.
ing Port Arthur Is nov inside the
numerous permanent forts, which con-
stitute the fortress. They have 1000
guns sweeping the PLAN over which
the Japanese must cross. An assault
is expected August Is. There was a
general confidence prevailing that the
fortress is invulnerable, although the
courage of the Japanese is described
as reckless to an extreme.
The Japanese are now mounting
heavy guns on the positions captured
July 2S. 1t is alleged that the Rus
sian battleship Retvizan threw a 12.
inch shell which hit a Japanese gun,
which was being mounted on Wolfs
hill, killing many.
Lieutenant General Stoessel. who is
in chief command at Port Arthur, is
a strict disciplinarian. He Is feared
by the officers and loved by the sol.
diers. He arises at daybreak every
day and makes the rounds of the po-
sitions.
Mr. Serebrinek says he saw Gener.
al Stoessel when leaving Port Arthur
and that he had not been wounded as
reported, but that his dog had lost a
leg. Illustrating General Stoessel's
discipline, the story is told that on
discovering some officers at a cham.
payne dinner, he personally ordered
the guests under three days arrest
and confiscated the viands.
Mr.. Serebrinek, who is a Russian,
held contracts to supply artillery, but
he was suspected of being a spy and
| "dS SOuhhtu SEPARATELY
The accounts OF Chinese refugees
differ from that of Mr.. Serebrinek
/ They say that the Japanese were only
two miles from the fortress when they
left. Mail, including newspapers, was
still arriving at Port Arthur. Besides
Mr.. Serebrinek. the Hipsing had a
crew OF Englishmen, as follows: Cap
tain Bradley, Engineers Collier. Wat.
son and Bishop. and Mates Smith and
| Cartwright. They are now at Che
Foo. They were marched out of Port
Arthur, some in pajamas and some in
even less. They did not receive any
clothing till the junk on which they
reached Port Arthur was stopped by
the Japanese, who gave them every
attention.
The reason assigned by the Rus
slams assigned for sinking the Hip
sang, as given to the Hipsang's OFF
GERS, was that they thought she was
a Japanese vessel. They claimed that
the japanese had been flying the Brit
ish fag.
Waiting for News Of Capture.
Toxic, Aug. A. 10 a. m.-The ia
panese are hourly awaiting tidings
of a victory at Port Arthur with more
interest and eagerness than hereto
fore displayed during the war. From
q political. strategical and sentimen
tai standpoint the possession OF the
Russian fortress and naval base Is
considered of paramount importance
by the Japanese. II ~ known that
the Japanese moose about the besieg
ed city Is gradually tightening. The
Japanese guns are pouring fire into
the diminishing circle, and 1t is fell
here that the critical hour Is fast ap
preaching.
!, But the public here is ignorant OF
the hour when the final assault will
be made, and also Of the details oi
the work already done around Port
: Arthur. II Is believed that the fire
from the japanese batteries will com
pei the Russian feet to leave the
harbor and accept battle from Ad
miral Togo. II is becoming proverb
ial that the Japanese infantry vii
/. go anywhere and will refuse to re
tire no matter how great their losses
!, may be. II Is believed that Port Ar
, thur could have been taken before
this time with a heavy sacrifice oI
life, but II is evident that the mill
: tary leaders are working to effect the
, reduction and capture Of the fortress
] with the minimum loss OF life.
: There will be no charges OF great
, masses OF infantry until the artillery
has finished the task Of silencing the
Russian guns.
: A story is current TO the effect thai
r the emperor has expressed the wisf
{ that the capture shall be effected with
3 the smallest possible sacrifice OF life
: hence the care and precision taker
by the Japanese in approaching Tho
3 Russian defenses and In the exten
8 sive use of the larger engines OF wa