The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-28
HAND TO HAND.
Desperate Struggle Is in Pro-
gress at Port Arthur.
Japanese Make One More Effort
to Capture the Fortress.

London, Nov. 2S.-The general assault
on Port Arthur which was ordered from
Toxic Friday and which was begun Sat
urday afternoon is still under way. This
attack was preceded by a fierce bonn
bardment fSom the great naval pieces
now used as siege guns, with which
General Nogi has been Smelling the city
and outlying Notifications
The deadly nature of the assault IS
shown by the dispatches which were
received from Toxic. They state that
picked forces of japanese, 200 swords
men, who are the most expert and
deadly in the world, led by two famous
the parapets of the Lungshu forts,
which dominate the citadel at Port
Arthur, and engaged in a terrific hand
to-hand struggle with the Russians,
most stubborn character.
That this desperate effort has not
succeeded. thus far at least, is shown
by the following dispatch sent out
from Toxic:
1.-The works for our attack having
been nearly completed against Sung
shu mountain (POrt Arthur) and the
forts lying eastward therefrom, gen.
noon of November 20 Saturday., but
owing to the enemy's stubborn re-
sistance our object has not yet been
accomplished. The fighting still con-
tinues."
It is evident from the cable dis
patches that the forts against which
the attack is being directed are those
of Urlong Lungshu and Tung Kikwan.
They constitute the last line of defense
between the new city of Port Arthur
and the Japanese positions
Erected along the crest of low
lying range of hills, just north of the
great fortress, they overlook the main
citadel as the rim of a saucer over
looks the bottom of the dish. For
weeks General Nogi's men have been
working their way toward them by a
series of mines and bitches, until they
had practically reached the very foot
of the parapets, and all that re-
manned was to take them by assault
European military experts declare.
however. that even the possession of
these forts by the Japanese would not
by any means put an end to operations
at Port Arthur. General Stoessel with
his garrison would be compelled to
abandon the city and retire to the sea-
forts, which lie facing the ocean to
the east, and which are the strongest
of all the Russian defenses.
1t is reported that they are plenti-
fully supplied with food for just such
an emergency, and have an almost in
exhaustible supply of ammunition for
the huge guns, which have kept Togo S
fleet at bay for months.
Advices from ST. Petersburg declare
that General Stoessel could hold these
sea forts till the arrival of the Baltic
fleet, which is now we'll on its way to
the far east. The battleship squadron
has already passed Suez and has enter
ed the Red sea. At its present rate of
progress it will probably not reach
Port Arthur until nearly March 1, or
for three months from now.
If they succeed in crushing the fleet
under the command of Admiral Togo
they would be in a position to render
the occupation of Port Arthur by the
Japanese actically impossible pro-
viding General Stoessel could hold the
sea forts that long.
Military observers in Great Britain
and on the continent of Europe insist
that it is a knowledge of this which
prompted the Toxic government to or
der this last desperate attack.
Confidence in General Nogi.
Toxic. Nov. 81 90 p. m.).-The latest
reports from Port Arthur tonight are
that the desperate fighting is still go
ing on. The Russians are making a
stubborn resistance. So far the attacks
have not been successful, but the Jap
panese are up to the last defenses and
hand-to-hand fighting is now going on.
The general staff has absolute conf
dence in General Nogi, realizing fully
that he is doing all within his power
to accomplish the task of capturing the
city. He has made remarkable progress
under the circumstances. Every requisi-
ton made by General Nogi will be met.
1t is the belief here that the struggle
started Saturday will not be given up
until the inner defenses OF the fortress
fall.