The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-07
Japs Land 10000 Men at PtsewO Cutting of FOrt-
 ress from Rear
RUSSIANS SAY FORT IS PROvISIONED FOR 4 YEAR Landing Was Made Under Cover of tho Rattleships and Little Resistance Was Made to Japanese
 Advance.

st Petersburg, May 7-2:2S a. m.-Ja- panese troops swarming across the nar- row neck of the Liao Tung peninsula, the railroad and telegraph communications cut and the Russian Gibraltar isolated and left to it's own resources-all this the Russians seem to accept with great stoicism.
 These events have been anticipated since the outbreak of the war, and the author ities in a sense appear to be relieved now that the blow has fallen. They assert that the fortress is impregnable and am- ply provisioned to stand a siege for year and that it can hold out until the time comes to relieve it.
 According to official information, the landing of troops from sixty transports began simultaneously at Pitsewo and Cape Terminal the morning of May 5. It is also reported that troops are being landed at Kin Chow, but this Is not credited as the Russians are known to have Notifications there, and 1t is not believed that the Japanese had the dar- ing to land immediately under an en- trenched position from which the Rus sans could infiict severe injury on them.
 Complete Details Are Lacking.
 Complete details of the landing are lacking, owing to the interruption of communication. No resistance was made, the few cossacks who observed the move ment retiring when the warships shelled the shore preparatory to disembarkation. Ten thousand men were put ashore Thurs day, and the disembarkation was pro- ceedng yesterday at the time that com munication ceased. It Is believed that there are over 10000 now or land prepar- ing for a forward movement.
 Two Japanese regiments were hurried , F estwdrd ; esterday morning to cut the railroad and telegraph communication. One of these fired on train conveying the wounded from Port Arthur.
 While the landing was proceeding Thursday. The enemys ships consist ing of the battleships Mikasa. Hatsnse, Shikishima, Yashima and Fuji and the cruisers Iwate, Idsumo, Adsuma, and Asama. made a demonstration off Port Arthur to prevent the possible egress of Russian torpedo boats A number of Japanese torpedo boats were also ob- served off Miado island in Pigeon Bay.
 It was because he was convinced that Port Arthur was about to be cut off that Viceroy Alexieff accompanied by his staff and Grand Duke Boris left hastily. On Thursday several train loads of sick and wounded and other ineffectives were dispatched northward.
 Ships Bombarded Fortress.
 It is reported that the ships bombarded Port Arthur early on the morning of May 6, and succeeded in closing the entrance, but no official confirmation of the latter statement can be obtained. The strength of the garrison at Port Arthur is not revealed by the authorities who will only say that 1t is adequate for defensive pur- poses. It is not believed that the force there exceeds 10000 soldiers.
 A large force is not considered as neces- EaIy, as was shown from the recent with drawals of some of the troops who were simply a drain on the resources of the garrison.
 The fleet must now take secondary po- sition and the sailors will be used to man the shore guns if necessary.
 Vice Admiral Skrydlof and Vice Ad- miral Besobrazoff cannot now reach Port Arthur. and will probably go to Vladivo- stock to join the cruiser squadron there. Rear Admiral Wittsoeft, who was left Tn charge of the fleet by Viceroy Alexieff will direct operations at Port Arthur.
 Superiority With Russians.
 Despite the greater number of Jap anese the general staff believes that their formidable fortifica tions still give the defensive superiority with the Rus sians. whose staying qualities 1t is con fidently felt will insure their holding out as long as necessary.
 Lieutenant General Stoessel will have supreme command at Port Arthur. He is described as a high-cass commander. His recent proclamations show that he Is imbued with a determination to hold Port Arthur until the last man Is killed.
 Officers of the general staff say that the landing of the Japanese army on the peninsula and the investment of Port Arthur clearify the military situation.