The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-31
Bonn bard ment of Lone Tree Hill
Resumed by Japanese.
Final Battle Of Campaign Be-
lieVed to Have Begun.
ASSAIL PORT ARTHUR.
Japanese Fling Heavy Forces
Against the Fortress
LIN Third Attempt to Secure a
Commanding Position.

dicate that a battle is imminent. A sig
nificant movement of Japanese troops
to the eastward is reported and a
heavy artillery fire is being directed by
the japanese against the Russians on
Lone Tree hill. Dispatches from Che
foo describe desperate and continuous
lighting at Port Arthur, but beyond the
general statement that the besiegers
have occupied a number of positions
no details of the progress of the at
tack are given.
Mukden, Oct. 31.-From an early hour
this morning there has been heavy
bombardment of PoutiIoff Gone Tree
hilD by the Japanese. Large masses
of Japanese were moving east during
October % and 80.
Of quietness big guns commenced
booming to the southeast last night,
continuing until early this morning.
Fighting has taken place between re-
connoitering parties, the japanese hav-
ing crossed the Shakhe river toward
the southeast A big battle is expected
this week, which unless successful
upon the part of the Russians will pro-
bably be the last under the present ar
rangement
A complete reorganization of the
army is now underway. General Ku-
ropatkin continues in supreme COM
mand- Viceroy AleXieff left October
80, for Russia.
Terrific BOmbardment.
Shanghai. Oct. 31.-According to ad-
vices reaching Shanghai, what is con-
fidently expected by the Japanese to be
the last general attack on Port Arthur
began October 26. Further details of
hof dax toII ~,
japanese infantry that afternoon
stormed the Russian trenches on
Sungshu mountain and those on a hill
in front of Rihlung mountain, as we'll
as a position on the slope of the latter.
The Japanese marines shelled the
Russian positions so skilfuIly that not
withstanding a hand to hand fight be-
tween the infantry on both sides, only
four japanese soldiers We're killed and
tn ese were killed by Japanese shells.
The Russians were forced to retreat.
The side of the hill in front of Rihlung
mountain is almost vertical. The Jap
anese used the holes made by the shell
fire for foOtholds and successfully
the hill in the face. of fierce
resistance. Within half an hour the
Japanse had dug trenches which form
ed a protection from the Russian
shells. The Russians bombarded the
positions and made several
counter attacks, but these were sue
cessfully repulsed by Japanese ma
chine guns, which were rushed up the
slopes.
ing closer and a terrific bombardmenti
is taking place.
General Assault ON Port Arthur.
Chefoo, Oct. 31-The general assault
upon Port Arthur which began in
preliminary way on October 27, deVel-
oped into a fiercely raging battle yes
terday, when according to hitherto
infaIlible authority the Japanese flung
heavy forces against the fortress in
their third attempt to secure COM
position
The result of yesterdays fighting is
unknown. The Japanese have been
preparing for this assault for month.
1t is believed that the Japanese did
not expect to capture the town on this
occasion, but to accomplish another i'm
portant forward step. sThis plan was
adopted following the first assault,
when thousands of lives were sacrlhc-
Notifications by a mere force of num-
berS regardless of loss.
This assault, like the previous one,
was a climatic incident of weary weeks
small engagements. In the opinion of
experts the assault will cease when
the Japanese have secured such posi-
tions as will enable them to creep
steadily closer under the noses of the
Russian guns. 1t is believed that two
more general assaults will be necessary
before the distance between the belli-
gerent lines is sufficiently shortened to
make any attempt to enter the main
forts and make the end of the siege
practical.
A steamer which has just arrived
here from New Chwnag reports having
heard heavy firing at Port Arthur last
night and today until she was out of
earshot, indicating a continuance of the
battle which began October "a in a
manner and developed
III 4I..,
Japanese to secure a commanding po-
sition.
The Battle at Port Arthur.
Chefoo, Oct. Sion October "A, hav-
ing made every possible preparation, the
Japanese opened fire with their artillery
along the whole line, incidentally con-
Linuing their daily practice of dropping
shells into the harbor. The Russians
replied the sounds, as of distant thun-
der, telling the inhabitants of Port
Dalny that the long expected assault
On the fortress was imminent. The
continued furiously until
the afternoon on October 26, when the
Russian guns on the EtSe mountain,
Antse mountain and Rihlung mountain
became briefly silent. At o'clock in
the afternoon a regiment of Japanese
swept out from behind a recently cap
tured hill adjacent to Rihlupg noun
tain and advanced on the Russian
trenches lying between Rihlung noun
tain and the railroad. occupying them
after hours of fighting. The Russians
stuck to their posts till the Japanese
we're within a few yards, both sides |
hurting hand grenades at each other.
The Japanese infantry are now using
mechanical devices which enabI. them
to throw grenades with great accuracy
and rapidiuy. In the meanwhile another
body of japanese assaulted the trenches
0n the slope of Rihlung mountain. The
Japanese trenches extended to certain
portions Of the slope and stopped some