Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-08-08
REFUGEES FROM
]. PORT ARTHUR.
Chinese and Russians Are Arriy-
ing in Large Numbers at
ChefOO
JAPANESE DRAWING CLOSER,
Are Endeavorlug to Work Their
Trenches Nearer the
Fortress.

Chefoo, Aug. s, 8 p, m.--During the
last "A hours. 200 Chinese and 90 Rus
sian refugees have arrived here from
Port Arthur. They almost all LETT
there on Aug. 4. II has been impossi'
bic to obtain confirmation OF the report
of the sinking off Port Arthur Of a
Japanese cruiser, but that this occurred
Is not denied, as the vessel is said to
have sunk ~ place where mines
have recently been laid.
Two French newspaper correspond
ents who made an attempt to reach
Port Arthur by junk saw the Japanese
feet on Aug. G. They were twice ar
rested and turned back They heard
nothing Of the alleged sinking Of the
Japanese cruiser They counted ~
vessels Of the Japanese fleet, ranged M
a double semi-circle IN front OF the
harbor. ,..
The refugees repert that the Russian
cruiser Bayan was struck by q rag
ment from one OF the mines which the
Japanese constantly send In toward the
harbor entrance. The explosion oc-
cured at the spot just previously va
Gated by the Russian gurboat Giliak,
which had been IN that position Tor
months acting as guardship. the
Bayan bears marks Of projeotlles OF
various sizes. showing that she has
been hit 2lS times since the beginning
Of the war.
It is stated positively that Vice-Ad
miral Skrydom was not ON board the
Russian torpedo boat destroyer Lluet
Burukoff, which visited Newchwang
about a month ago and which was sunk
on one of her return trips from That
port.
This last batch of refugees, several
of whom witnessed part OF the three
days fighting Of the week before last,
deny that the japanese We're one yerst
t66 of mlle) from the Russian fort
ress. They say that the Japanese
troops are from 10 TO 10 versts from the
inner forts. The Japanese are busy
endeavoring to work their trenches
nearer the fortress. The Russian re-
sistance TO these efforts is confined to
the use OF artillery. which ceaselessly
harnesses the diggers. The japanese
are said to have 60 guns in position on
VOLTS hill and vicinity and IL evident
~ is their intention slowly and surely
to tighten their moose around Port Ar
thur.
A refugee who witnessed the lighting
at VOLTS hill OF July rs and July 81
declares that 1900 Russian troops de-
Tended that position, all the approaches
to which had been protected with ter
races at angles Of i5 degrees, In many
Instances the Russian soldiers dropped
their rlnse and rolled rocks down on
the enemy with effect more fatal than
their bullets.
than their bullets. The Russian mines
we're cleyerly concealed IN an open field
Their composition was as follows. AZ
the bottom Of layer Of high eXplo-
slve. next layer Of rocks, and the
whole covered with sod. The explosion
of this mine threw rocks for a dis
tance OF one or two yersts, II Is al
legged that with the exception Of four
men who were captured, two squadrons
OF cavalry were wiped out by the ex-
plosion of such mines
The witnesses confirm previous state
ments that the Japanese losses In THIS
lighting were severe. The Japanese sol
iiers advanced to VOLTS hill over
ground thickly strewu with their dead
rhey occupied the hill. BY the third
day the stencil from the decomposing
bodies. which were not Inferred Tor lack
Of time, became Intense. Japanese prls-
oners are quoted AS saying that one or
the narrowest streets of u Chinese WI.
lage which was made the target OF
Russian batteries was packed WIN
dead and wounded men.
The vehicles used by the Russians IN
ramoving their wounded included bicy-
,les used in pairs with litter swung
between them. A detachment of SIX
sabs also was sent out on July % to
bring I'm Russion wounded to a place
hey had visited the day before, II was
found. however, that this place was oc-
rupied by the Japanese, who captured
he outfit OF cabs.
on July % two detachments OF ma
rnes and sailors, numbering ESQ men, lost
every commissioned officer as a result
az tho frst volley fired by the Japanese.
The mon of this detachment thereupon
sent delegation 20 Mai Gen, kondra-
kato and requested that he send TO
them the officers under whom they had
previously performed exceptionally bril-
liant services, and for which GEN. Stoes-
sci had sent them special thanks,
BY the night of July ~ the Russian
soldiers had been fighting rs hours with
minimum of rest, food and water.
They were then relieved by reserves.
who arrived at the lines led by bands
playing the national anthem. AT the
conclusion Of the anthem cheers were
given along the entire Russian line for
the emperor. A proclamation issued by
Gen. Stoessel commander-n-chi ~
Port Arthur, thanking the soldiers and
declaring that their work had shown
the fortress never would be taken, was
then read TO the troops, who again
cheered Az this time parts Of the Japa-
nese lines were so close that the kus-
SLAMS could hear their enemies talking.
Among the refugees who arrived here
during the last "A hours are certain OFF,
cials Of the Danish Asiatic company