The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-22
Hector Fuller, Who Penetrated
the Russian Lines,
Tells Of His Experience in the
Gibraltar of Asia.
THROWN INTO PRISON.
Kept on Diet of Bread and
Water Two Days.
Finally Got Audience With Gen.
StOesseI and Was Released.


News today received from Hector Full
Ter. its special war correspondent,
who effected an entrance into Port
Arthur. where he was imprisoned five
days and then ordered from the fort
ress. a special cable dated at Chefoo,
today in which he gives his expert
ences and observations while in the
besieged fort as follows:
After being removed across from
the Miauto islands in an open boat by
two Cinnamon, succeeded in land
ing at Louisa bay, near Port Arthur
and separated by a range of hills.
The bay was occupied by Russian
hOtilla of four torpedo boats, two de-
stroyers AID two cruisers. 1 landed
at daybreak on the morning of June
TO- without detection.
with the full coming of the day, I
could see that every hilltop near the
shore was alive with soldiers, busily
engaged in strengthening the already
formidable fortihcatOns which Occu-
pied every point of vantage. 1T looked
as first as though it would be lmpos-
sible to pass through the lines and
make my way over the hills to Port
Arthur. But by keeping down in the
narrow valleys which were free from
soldiers, 1 gradually made my way
into the interior of the peninsula. In
this way, after a day and a night of
persistent and cautious efforts 1 at
thur.
Hid in Chinese Village.
After some hasty observations
there the hazard of my position be-
came so obvious that the same day,
Saturday, June IL. 1 set out on my
return to the bay. But the good for
tune which attended me the day be-
fore soon deserted me 1 presently
came in sight of a large body of Rus
sian infantry, when 1 took refuge in
n 10 vNr1a I q
hiding place until danger was over.
Il had not proceeded far from this
village when I came upon a small par
ty of sappers. To avoid them I made
a dash up a hill only to run into an
other regiment engaged in digging en-
trenchments. Instantly I was sur
rounded with men. There was no pos
sibility of escape.
The officer in command detailed
guard to take me to Pigeon bay.
There I was searched. was stripped
to the skin and all my garments were
subjected to the closest scrutiny. My
money was taken and all the papers
in my possession were most infinitely
scrutinized. Thereupon I was blind
folded and marched to Port Arthur
The route taken was over the mill
tary road which recently had been
constructed. In spite of the bandage
over my eyes I was able to note that
the road is one of most admira BILE
construction along which troops and
artillery could move easily and
rapidly.
Port Arthur Was Lively.
Port Arthur was full of life and
gaiety, quite out of keeping with the
stories of distress that had reached
Che Foo through Japanese sources.
served. There seemed to be an album
dance of supplies and fresh supplies
were coming in from Chinese sources.
The Japanese blockade has not been
n
been freed of distractions, the battle
ships have been repainted and the for
tifcatfOns are constantly being made
stronger. The garrison is larger than
outside information has led me to
suppose. The troops are in excellent
condition and the general health con-
ditiOns of the city are good. There
seemed to be no apprehension that the
city was likely soon to fall.
The night I was marched into Port
Arthur, under guard, the city was I'M
usually lively as The officers were
giving a ball. Three officers were de-
tailed to examine me and they made
thorough work of it. After the exam
nation was completed I was lodged
in prison. The prison is directly op-
pOsite Golden Hill. From the window
of my cell had a good view of the
inner bay and could see distinctly
the repaired battleships at anchor
In the same prison were confined
loo japanese who had been captured
from the blockading expedition Sew
eral Of these had become insane.
Kept on Bread and Water.
II, myself, was kept on Russian
black bread and water for two days.
Then 1 was permitted by the authori-
ties to purchase such food as I de-
sired
While I was in the prison I was
subjected to seven different examina-
tons The thing that evidently
aroused the greatest suspicion was the
passport that had been issued to me
at Toxic. 1t is pretty evident that
the Russian officers more than half
suspected that I was a Japanese spy.
demanded the opportunity of see