The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-12-01
Willy CHINESE BEAR
AID TO PORT ARTHUR
Despite Japanese Vigilance Food and
Ammunition slip the Blockads.

CHEFOO, Dec. while all the
world wonders how Port Arthur can
continue its stubborn resistance.
month after month, we closer at hand
wonder most of all.
We know that the city Is hell on
earth. We know that its hospitals
are crowded with wounded, and that
the diseases incident to siege are
leading a dance of death. But we
also know that Russian gold is OPEN
ing the gates, day by day, and that
Port Arthur, in spite of Japanese Wig
ilance, is victualed and supplied from
the outside. Chinese junks slip in
with food and medicines and slip out
with dispatches. They often come in
this port with dispatches, which the
Russian consul here translates into
the government cipher and sends on
to st. Petersburg.
Everybody knows the junks are
running the blockade, but the bland
expressionless faces of the Chinese
junkmen defy even the sharp wits
and eyes of the Japanese.
Thousands of dollars are being
spent by Russia and largely with
American firms and agents. A junk
today reports the successful delivery
of a large consignment to the be-
leagured city. These supplies were
purchased from an American agent at
Tien-Tsin by the Russian consul at
that place, and conveyed to the Junk
some miles about Taku.
The arrival of the supplies Gre
ated great enthusiasm. A Japanese
attack was in progress at the time
and shells were falling in the harbor
One exploded within few feet of the
newly arrived junk as she passed
Tigers Tail.
Six or more firms are making vast
fortunes by attempting-and usually
succeeding-in running the Port Ar
thur blockade. An average of one
junk in three is usually captured or
sunk by one of the Japanese guard
ships, but the prices obtained for the
two remaining cargoes more than
cover this loss.
Three American exporting firms
have agents at Chefoo who are In
close touch with the Russian CONSUL
ate, and who have sold a large guam
tity of provisions intended for the
Port Arthur garrison.
One firm, which has its headquar-
ters in San Francisco. Withdrew from
the competition after It had had four
junks sunk in succession, and was
warned by japanese cruisers cap
tain to keep away from Liaotishan.
The other firms are still accepting
Port Arthur commissioners. although
prices have practically doubled this
week owing to the continuous Jap
anese attack and smaller chances of
success.
Two German firms with headquar-
ters at Kiaochau. have. with the tacit
consent of the German authorities,
succeeded in getting at least three
junk loads of provisions and one of
small ammunition to Port Arthur
The Japanese blockading fleet is
stale" The ships have been on
guard In front of Port Arthur for
nearly nine months, with but occa-
| sional brief rests at Saseo or Shib-
| onoseki. The strain Of incessant
night work has lessened the effective
| ness of the blockade. and the Chinese
find 1t comparatively easy to slip
through during the night.
During last week the Japanese ex-
tended the patrol area. and torpedo
| boats and destroyers steamed close to
| the Chinese coast, keeping Chinese
| sailing craft of every description un-
der observation.
1t is stated that the Japanese have
captured two additional forts which
| command the entire town of Port Ar
thur.
Practically all of the public build
ings have been destroyed The harbor
is a scene of ruin and desolation The
warships have been hit many times,
and the Retvisan has heeled over.
The garrison are given half rations
in exchange for tickets. The soldiers
are worn and haggard, but the won
derful personality of General Stoes-
sci dominates them. and they are still
| willing to fight.
|