The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-07-01
GOT IN PORT ARTHUR
And Was Fed on Russian Black
Bread and Water
WHILE BE WAS IN A PRISON

W 0AA6 LIE w Ao AN a EhkbUN.
Finally He Was Sent to Chefoo in
an Open Junk on the Prom.
ise that He Would Not
The Indianapolis, Ind, News We'd
nesday received from It's special war
correspondent, Hector Fuller, who
affected an entrance into Port ArthGr,
where he was imprisoned five days
before be was ordered from the for
tresS, special cablegram dated
Chefoo, June 81, in which Fuller gives
his experiences as follows:
After being rowed across from the
Miautao islands in an open boat by
two Chinamen, l landed at Loui bay.
The bay is near Port Arthur and is
separated from it by range Of hills.
The bay was occupied by a Russian
tlotilla of four torpedo boats, two
destroyers and two cruisers. landed
at daybreak on the morning of June
10, without detection.
with the full coming OF the day,
l could see that every hill top near
the shore was alive with ldiers.
busily engaged in strengthening the
outer fortitications, which occupied
every point Of vantage. 1t looked at
| first as though it would be impossible
to pass through the lines and make
my way over the hills toward Port
Arthur, but by keeping down Ia the
narrow valleys, which were free Of
soldiers, gradually made my way into
the interior Of the peninsula. In this
way, alter day and night Of effort,
l succeeded In reaching Port Arthur.
The hazard Of my position became
SO obvious that the same day, Satur-
day, June IL, set out on my return
tx, Louisa bay. l presently came In
sight of large body OF Russian in
fantry when l took refuge in a
Chinese village, where l found hid
Ing place until danger was over.
RAN INTO A REGIMENT.
| Il had not proceeded far from this
village when l came upon small
party of sappers. In order to avoid
them l made dash up hill, only
to run into another regiment. engag-
ed in digging entertainments. In
stantly l was surrounded. There was
no possibility Of escape.
The officer in command detailed a
guard to take me to Pigeon bay.
There / was searched. was strip
ped to the skin and all my garments
were subjected To the closest scrutiny.
My money was taken, and all the
papers in my posse sson were mirutely
examined. Thereupon / was blind
folded and marched to Port Arthur.
1.-The route taken was over the mill
tary road, which has recently been
constructed. In spite of the bandage
over my eyes, was able to note that
the road is OF admirable construction,
along which troops and artillery could
move easily and rapidly.
Port Arthur was full Of life and
gayety, quite out OF keeping with the
stories of distress that had reached
Chefoo. Indeed nothing of this sort
was observed. There seemed TO be
an abundance Of supplies. And fresh
supplies were coming from Chinese
sources. The japanese blockade has
not been effective. The harbor en-.
trance has been freed of obstructiors,
the battleships have been reprinted
and Notifications were constantly be.
ing made stronger. The garrison is
larger than outside information has
led ME to believe. The troops are in
excellent condition and the general
health conditions Of the city are good.
There seemed to be no fear that the
city was likely s)on to fall.
THE night l was marched into
Port Arthur, under guard, the city
was unusually lively, as the officers
were giving ball. Three officers
we're detailed to examine me and they
made thorough work Of it. After 1
was examined was lodged in prison.
The prison is directly opposite Golden
hill. From the window of my cell
had good view Of the inner bay and
could see distinctly the repaired
battleship lying at anchor.
In the same priS )n were confined
100 Japanese who had been captured
from the blockading expedition. Sew
eral OF these had become Insane.
myself, was kept on Russian
black bread and water for two days.
Then l was permitted by the authori-
ties to purchase such food as | de-
sired.
|
subjected to seven different examina-
tions The thing that evidently
reused the greatest suspicion was the
passport that had been issued to me
at Toxic. 1t is pretty evident that
that Russian officers more than half
suspected that was Japanese spy.
demanded the opportunity of seeing
General Stoessel, the commandant at
Port Arthur, that might lay my case
directly before him. Ct least, after
five days In prison, my plea was al
lowed and l was TAX en- before the com
mander-in-chief. I made straight.
forward statement Of my purpose in
seeking to penetrate the Russian
lines and gave detailed account of
my trip. AT last he was convinced OF
my good faith. He said:
Ou Americans must be crazy.
ALLOWED TO LEAVE ON PROMISE
AS the result OF this hearing of
my case General StoesSel decided that
L was to be allowed to leave Port
Arthur on condition that | promise
never to return. The promise was
promptly forthcoming.
'Thereupon was again bllndfold
and taken back under guard by the
direct route to Louisa bay. Arrived
there, | was requested to point the
exact spot at which | made my land
ing. Immediately a sentry was placed
at that point.
WAS sent awav thep IN n ippE