Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-27
DESPERATE EFFORTS
Besiegers Working With Un-
precedented Energy.
SHELLING PORT ARTHUR
T1EN-TsIN REPORTS THAT FALL
IS VIRTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED.
japanese Will Not Make Such a Claim
Russian Fire Said to Have
Weakened.
SHELLING PORT ARTHUR

received from Port Arthur are to the effect
that the Japanese in their attack on the
night of August % captured Poyodo, a
fort midway between Takushan and the
eastern defenses, and reduced another fort
Immediately east of the railway. Poyodo
mounted only two small guns when the
Russians were in possession Of it. The as
sault was preceded by heavy artillery fire
from Takushan, where the Japanese have
big naval guns. The Russians lost con-
siderably before they were compelled to re-
tire. The fort was not occupied by the
Japanese, as 1t is behind moat, which the
Japanese in no instance have been able to
cross.
Recent arrivals here who were in Port
Arthur as late as August "a believe that
the Russians resistance will prove success
full for some time yet. They explain that
the Japanese are unable to occupy Etse-
shan fort. The Japanese tented constantly
In attempting to do so. and in the mean
while, with tremendous labor, raised the
summit Of smaller hill behind it to the
level of Etseshan hill by means Of sand
bags. and there they mounted guns which
assisted materially in the reduction of the
fort east OF the railway. This fort Is the
northernmOst of the eastern defenses, and
with other positions reduced or occupied
renders the Japanese position in the vicinity
of the railroad threatening to the Russian
hopes 1t Is obvious that the Japanese eX-
pect to enter Port Arthur from the north.
Previous Reports Confirmed.
Confirmation has been obtained Of the an
nouncement made in these dispatches Au-
gust Is to the effect that the Japanese
drove the Russians from their positions at
Louisa bay and Pigeon bay, the japanese
vanguard, numbering 800 to 600 men, pene-
no fort cit
est hill of the Liaoti mountain, the south
ernmost mountain of the Kwang-Tung pc
ninsula, incidentally capturing an incom-
peted battery on the west shore of the
L1aou promontory, and then retired. The
Japanese fleet during the attack made n
demonstration against the main Liaoti fort
1t is also confirmed that the Japanese
sllenced a small fort near Golden Hill.
The japanese line the west Is ap-
proXimately. according to the advices re-
cefved here, three and half miles from the
European or new town, where there has
been no conf1agration, although numerous
individual fires have occurred there. When
the last arrivals left Port Arthur there was
little firing.
The strength of the garrison is now estl-
mated to be 5000 efficient men.
On August % the Russians arrested four
Japanese spies within the fortress and shot
them. No Chinese, except outbound SER
wants, are allowed in the European town,
the Russians being afraid of spies.
Since August 81 the Russian ships have
not been firing shells. On August Y a
Japanese shell fell in the dockyard, causing
some damage.
Only the Chinese shops of Port Arthur
are doing business. The lack of vegetables
is severely felt.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
NEW YORK, August pa cable dis
patch from London says:
The standard has a dispatch from
irr:z j,,
formation has been received there
that the japanese have effected an entrance
into Port Arthur, and that the fall of the
fortress is consequently virtually accom-
plished. The japanese are reluctant to say
anything officially until the fighting has
been altogether suspended. The entrance
was effected at the Itzeshan forts. The
Japanese occupied the Peiyushan forts and
the parade ground within the forts at dawn
Wednesday. From that point they swept
down with an increasing fire throughout the
day. The Japanese casualtis wre heavy,
but their courage was undaunted.
PARIS, August 27.-The rumored fall of
Port Arthur is not confirmed in any quar-
ter here. On the contrary, it is said in
government quarters that the information
received shows that the Japanese staff is
convinced from the recent efforts that the
taking of the fortress by storm will prob
ably be impossible, and that the staff ad-
vises the adoption of a new plan, namely,
its slow reduction by siege
Russian Fire Weakening.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
NEW YORK, August GA cable dis
patch from Tokyo says:
The Russian fire at Port Arthur is said to
be weakening. The garrison is thought to
be saving its shells for the final moments.
The guns taken from the ships are most
effective. Besides these, the Russians are
using only machine guns and rifles.
Waiting for Definite News.
LONDON, August 27.-The japanese Iega-
tion up tG o'clock this afternoon had no
information in regard to Port Arthur 1t is,
however, pointed out that the capture of
the Itzeshan fort by the Japanese, an
nounced several days ago would enormous
ly facilitate their further operation, and pos
sibly enable the beSiegers to get within the
Gordon of outer forts and attack the last
| line OF resistance along the outskirts of the
town..
CHEFOO, August ga Russian who has
an intimate knowledge of Port Arthur forti-
fcations explains that there are three forts
known as number s. This accounts for the
various and conflicting reports regarding
| fighting at number s. Two batteries on the
| left wing bear this number as does also a
strong fort to the left of Itzeshan fort. The
| fort near Itzeshan is believed to have been
| the object of the fighting reported
from here yesterday, as the Japanese
being already in possession of Itzeshan,
| 1t would be comparatively easy for
| them to capture the adjoining stronghold.
This move brings the Japanese advance
| thur known as the new European settle
ment. Japanese here expect that their
army may even enter the residence and
| business districts of Port Arthur, but that
| OF the Russian stronghold The Russian
| defenses are arranged with the idea of re-
sisting as long as there is a man left, and
| the nature of their defenses suggests that