The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-11-17
Russian Destroyer Had the
Commanders Message
WAS SUNK AT CHEFU
Port Arthur Will Hold Out 10
the Last Cartridge and
the Last Biscuit.

LONDON, Nov. 11.-Advices from
Chefu telling of the arrival there of
the Russian torpedo boat DESTROYER
Rastoropny from Port Arthur and her
destruction by her own crew indicate
that grave events are likely to follow
In the immediate future. Undoubtedly
the daring trip of the little vessel past
Togo's blockading fleet was made for
the purpose of informing the car Of
the exact conditions inside the doomed
fortress, and it may be supposed that
MS ideas on the ACCESSIBILITY of capt.
ulation have been requested. When a
Port Arthur war vessel reached Che
III two months ago the world was
thrilled by the story of how Admiral
Togo had smashed the Russian fleet.
The Chefu dispatch says that the
Russians have blown up the torpedo
boat destroyer Rastoropny. The crew,
with the exception of one man, left
the destroyer This last man lighted
fuses and blew up the vessel before re-
treating.
a battle spar marks her grave. 1t is
impossible to obtain an explanation of
the action of the Russians. but it is be-
lieved they were determined not to
allow a repetition of the Ryeshitelni
incident
1t is rumored that the Rastoropny
brought dispatch from General
Stoessel at Port Arthur asking the ST.
Petersburg authorities for instructions
= IN Nuh ho
hold out, awaiting relief, or make I'M
mediate arrangements with the jana
nese for surrender upon the most adj
yantageOus terms possible.
The commander of the Rastoropny
says that he left Port Arthur at mid
night of Friday last He safely pass
ed japanese cruiser and some torpe-
do boats, his lights being extinguished.
The men of the Rastoropny confirm
the report that General Stoessel. Rus
sian commander at Port Arthur. has
been wounded
The Rastoropny brought with her
copies of the Novi Krai, Port Arthur's
military daily. in which it is said that
he Russian battleship Retvizan sur
'rised and sank japanese torpedo
'oat destroyer on Nov. IL while the
destroyer was engaged in laying
mines.
Advices from Tokyo say that Field
iarshal Oyama repulsed an attack
y Russian infantry and cavalry at
at o'clock on Tuesday
forming
On Tuesday ut noon force OF 5000
ussians with eight guns. fred upon
he japanese positions at Toiblaithz
nd Mamachiai but did no damage.
General StoeSSePs report. sent to Che
| by the destroyer Rastoropny. has
1T been given out. but it is known
at it contains no request for instruc-
)ns regarding the surrender of Port
rthur. 1t is minated that the re-
rt goes at considerable length into
tails of the recent fierce land fight
9, but says that the interior line of
lenses remained intact General
oessel believes he will be able tn
thstand the Japanese assaults for
ne time to come. The blockade has
EN- run by a ship with a cargo of
If munitions, food and hospital sup
es. Some warships in the harbor
We been damaged by shell firing. but
seriously. Many guns have been
moved from the ships and mounted
shore. where large drafts from the
WIS are taking turns in aiding the
'rison in its heroic defense of the
tress.
n army officer of the cars house
d said he was not at liberty to dis
Sc more fully the nature of General
essel's report. but said he:
Only when the last biscuit is eaten
the last cartridge fred will the
rison surrender the fortress. This I
OF 70