The San Francisco call., 1904-03-08
PORT ARTHUR
FLEET PLANS
SWIFT S0RTIE
May Attempt to Cut
Its Way Through
Togo'S Ships.
spscial Dispatch to rhs can.

PORT ARTHUR, March s.-There is
no change in the situation here. The
weather has moderated.
PORT ARTHUR. March (via Yin
kow. March O.-There has been no
fighting here In the past seven days,
and only twice in that time have any
Of the japanese ships been seen. On
those occasions a portion Of the fleet
appeared on the horizon, cruised about
within sight of the Notifications and
then disappeared. 1t is believed that
either Admiral Togo has divided his
fleet. and is making an occasional dem
onstratiOn to create the impression that
his entire force is lowering in the vi
cinity of Port Arthur, or that he is
attempting to lure the Russian ships
from the harbor.
Since the arrival of Admiral Makar-
off. who succeeds Admiral Stark in
command of the Russian fleet, there
has been great activity aboard the
Russian ships. and it is believed that
some sortie is being planned. MakarOff
may attempt a sudden dash out OF
the harbor, with the hope of eIud-
ing the japanese feet, and cruising
southwark, where he could work un-
told damage by attacking the Japanese
transport squadrOns that are convoy
ing troops to the western coast OF
Korea 1t IS possible that he could
effect a union with the VladivostOk
squadron thus giving him force pow
erful enough to engage the feet under
Togo.
Strong intrenchments have been
thrown up at intervals on IiaOtung
Peninsula, north of Port Arthur, and
the garrison has been heavily in
creased to resist attack from the land
side of the city. Apparently it Is the
Russian intention to hold the strong
hold at all hazards. The reports of a
shortage of provisions and ammuni-
tion are without foundation. Guam
titles of supplies have been poured into
the city and Port Arthur could with
stand a siege of a year If necessary.
The sudden cessation of Japanese
operations in this vicinity is puzzling
the Russians. The theory that finds
the greatest support is that the Japan
ese have abandoned the idea of cap
turing the city by direct attack and
will first land an army near New
chwang, which the Russians are pre-
pairing to evacuate. This force could
then move southwark on LiaOtung
Peninsula, and, if victorious, would, by
obtaining command of the peninsula.
insure the ultimate fall Of Port Arthur
without great sacrifice.
There has been a pleasant change
/ in the weather and the cold season is
believed to be about at an end The
spirits of the garrison are high and
the men are eager for a fight. Cos
sacks are constantly moving on Lao
tung Peninsula, keeping a watch for
attempts by the Japanese to land
troops. 1t is reported that 10000 Jap
anese have disembarked at a point
forty miles south of Newchwang and
that this force will receive heavy ad-
ditions and then attempt the con-
quest Of Liaotung.
Since February Is $4,000 men have
gone forward to reinforce the Russian
army on the YaIu River. 1t Is not
believed that the Japanese advance
will be seriously opposed until it
reaches the Yalu, where the decisive
land engagement of the war will be
fought. This battle is not likely to Oc-
cur for a month yet. as the Japanese
advance is impeded by bad roads.