The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1904-09-01
almost READY
TO STORM CITY
JAPANESE CONTINUE TO POUR
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE INTO
PORT ARTHUR.
Believed Final Stand Will Be Made at
Liaotishan-,Both Sides Believed
to Have Lost Heavily in the
Siege.

Toxic, Aug. 25.-The final assault
on Port Arthur is imminent. Hun
Gdreds of Japanese guns continue to
pour a destructive fire into the city
and harbor, along the lines of the
forts and intrenchments preparatory
to the infantry assault.
1t is evident that the Russian lines
have been weakened and partly pene-
trated in the vicinity of Antseshan and
Etseshan forts. The entire line Of
Russian defepses Immediately about
the harbor are within range Of the
Japnese guns. A number of Russian
forts and batteries continue to be Wig
orus, and the japanese death roll will
be heavily increased before they are
captured.
The direction of the Japanese at
tack creates the impression here that
the city entrance will fall first. The
final stand will be made at Liaotishan.
Japanese official channels of infor-
nation remain closed, and the navy
departments announcement of the
striking Of mine by the battleship
Sevastopol and the firing upon the
Russian forts by the cruisers Nisshin
and Kasuga are the only disclosures
made for several days. It is believed
here that both sides have suffered
heavy losses, and that the final record
will make the siege the bloodiest since
Sedan.
The Japanese are supremely conf
off IN %4
ers Of the government await the out
come in calm assurance. The people
everywhere are decorating streets and
houses and erecting arches and flag
STATS in preparation for national
celebration of the expected victory.
Heavy Jap Losses.
Chefoo, Aug. 26.-Russian advices re-
ceived here say that the Japanese as
saults on Port Arthur August 81 and %
were repulsed with. tremendous losses.
1t is added that the attempt of the Japa-
nese to capture Fort No. cost them TO-
Etseshan resulted in their losing 5000
men killed or wounded. Port Dalny is
said to be filed with wounded men.
May Attempt Another Sally.
Toxic, Aug. 26.-Five steamers and
three torpedo boat destroyers emerged
from Port Arthur Wednesday morning
and began the work of clearing away
floating mines. At 20 minutes past six
in the even q two-funneled torpedo
boat destroyer struck mine two miles
OF Liaoti promontory and sunk i'm
mediately. Five minutes later second
destroyer, with four tunnels, ran against
another floating mine which exploded.
This second vessel was at once sur
rounded by other Russian ships and
towed into Port Arthur, the entire flotilla
accompany her. These occurrences were
seen from various japanese watch tow
ers. The japanese cruiser Hashidate
also witnessed the explosions. The action
of the Russians in attempting to clear
the channel of mines indicates the inten-
ton of the feet again to sally from Port
Arthur.
Interference to Stop.
London, Aug. 26.-Prime Minister
Balfour announced Thursday evening
that the British government had or
dered two cruisers from the squadron
at Cape of Good Hope, without delay to
locate the Russian volunteer feet steam
ers. Smolensk and Petersburg and to
convey to them the orders of the Russian
government that they must not further
interfere with neutral shipping. The
premier stated that this action was
taken at the request Of the Russian gov