The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-20
JAPANESE CAPTURE
FORT KEE.KWAN
Great Mine Under Position Was
Exploded and the Hill Was
Rushed. .....

Toxic, Dec. 2O.-The Japanese fred
an immense mine under portion of the
north fort of East Kee-kwan mountain
at o'clock Sunday afternoon. The
infantry infantry Immediately afterward
heavy force. .,~ E-..
The following report of the capture
headquarters today: ,s-.- ...a.. = r.
AT 2:15 o'clock on the afternoon of Dec.
lS part Of our army blew up the parapets
of the north fort of East Kee-kwan
mountain and tten charged. II ~ .~
/, x fierce battle with hand grenades en-
sued. @-., = '~r..'.-.
owing to the stubborn resistance Of the
enemy with his machine guns. our opera
lions We're temporarily suspended.
Subsequently, at 7 o'clock In the even
ing, General Samejima, commanding the
supports, advanced into the classmates
and, encouraging his men, threw his sup
ports into the fighting line in last brave
charge.
At 1i:50 o'clock at night we completely
occupied the fort and Immediately en-
gagged in the construction Of defensive
works. Our occupation became firmly
assured today.
Before retiring the enemy exploded four
mines in the neghborhOod Of the neck Of
the fort.
We captured five nine centimeter field
guns and two machine guns, as we'll as
plenty OF ammunition.
The enemy left forty or fifty dead. Our
casualties have not been investigated, but
they are not heavy. F
Took Russians by Surprise.
The capture of the Kee-kwan fort was
a complete surprise to the Russian garri-
son, there having been no preparatory
bombardment. Japanese sappers drove
shafts forty feet under the parapet of
the fort from the escarpment and moat.
In these two tons Of dynamite were ex-
wrecSing the interior of the fort, whilst
siege and shrapnel guns shelled Russian
troops in the vicinity This occurred
at : o CLOCK in the afternoon.
A detachment Of Japanese infantry
and sixty Of them became buried under
o mass of debris, greatly delaying the
attack. Despite this mischance, another
volunteer force dashed forward and
captured the parapet.
In the meantime, the Russians had
been strongly reinforced, and fierce
hand hand struggle with bayonets and
night, when the few Russian survivors
reiterated to the city and the fort was
captured. It's construction displays the
utmost scientific knowledge.
1t is reported that the Japanese have
seized strong position about a thous-
and yards southwest of 203-Meter hill,
preparatory to assaulting the new town
and pushing between Liao-ti mountain
and the Russian headquarters at Port
Arthur.
The fighting against Sung-shu noun
tain continues
Samejina National Hero.
All Japan is today ringing with
praises of General Samejina as the hero
of the assault on Kee-kwan mountain
fort. 1t is conceded that his heroism
inspired his men and turned a threat
ened disaster into splendid victory.
General Sameiina is an old Samurai
veteran Of the war Of the storation
and the Satsnma rehellion.-- He is gray
haired and bent, but is wiry and active.
He is an engineer and was formerly a
garrison commander. He is Japan Is
specialist in Notifications, and was
called to Port Arthur to superintend
the siege works. He was not assigned
to an active command, and it is supposed
here that General Sameiina replaced
General Tsuchiya as division COM
mander.