The Oskaloosa herald., 1904-11-10
JAPS CONTINUE
THEIR ADVANCE
DRAW CLOSER TO PORT ARTHUR
WITH RAPID STRIDES.
THE TOWN AGAIN IN FLAMES
Shells Start Fire Which Burns for
Hours - Defensive Powers of
Garrison Said to Be Much
Reduced.

Il
London, Nov. Especial dispatches
from Chefoo and Tientsin report that
the defenders of Port Arthur have re-
tired to the Liati hill fort, where they
are holding out desperately, e~ntrenched
and with ten guns Of large caliber.
Many Russians, the correspondents as
sert, are deserving and surrendering.
The Japanese, it is added, are advanc-
ing with irresistible energy. More re-
liable reports do not confirm these
statements, but the Toxic report of
the capture of Wantai hill, a dominat-
ing fort within two miles of the rail
way terminus, shows that the japanese
are making rapid strides.
Wantai hill is n of the extensive,
semi-circle of forts defending Port Ar
thur. 1t is situated in about the center
OF the semi-circle, between the Antse
mountain forts and Sungchow fort,
which is situated on an adjoining hill.
The capture of Wantai hill, it has been
pointed out in dispatches from Port Ar
thur, means the dividing of the eastern
fortified ridges. The Japanese had pre-
viously and unsuccessfully attacked
Wantai hill, particularly during the lat
ter part of August.
Bennett Burleigh, the Daily Tele-
graphs correspondent, reports from
Chefoo that there was no fighting on
the night of November 5. The troops
Of the mikado, he says, have frequently
stolen into the native town of Port
Arthur after dark, but invariably were
driven out at daylight with heavy
losses. The Japanese have four large
forts facing the Russian works on
Rihlung mountain and Shanshu
mountain, where they are mounting
naval guns OF stone foundations.
Mukden dispatches to Berlin state
that the Russian commanders are pre-
! pairing their men to hear of the fall
Of Port Arthur.
Port Arthur on Fire Again.
A vigorous bombardment with
naval guns was delivered at moor on
November 3 against the east harbor,
dockyard, and other points, as a re-
suit of which a fierce coniagration
occurred near the east harbor. The
fire ragged from 1915 p. m. to four
o'clock. The same day the fire of
large caliber guns was directed
against III" fort at a height of 200
yards and the northwest watch tower
Heavy damage was caused by the
hombardment on both the fort and
tower. A Russian field gun placed at
a vital point east of Keekwan noun
tain was struck by a Japanese shell
n destroyed.
Nogi Reports Gains.
Toxic, Nov. There was pub
lished Saturday a series of reports of
the besieging forces at Port Arthur
covering the operations from October
80 to November 3 inclusive. These
reports show that the Japanese con-
tinre vigorously to press the attack
and that they are using heavy artil-
lery to batter down the Russian de-
lenses, following the artillery fire
with valorous infantry rushes. The
five days fighting covered in the re-
ports gave the japanese a number of
distinct gains, materially shortening
l the power or the garrison.
Little Activity.
St, Petersburg, Nov. Military &C
| tivity in the vicinity of the Shakhe
river is limited to the extension and
strengthening of entertainments. There
are indications that the Japanese have
not given up the plan of seeking to
force Gen. Kuropatkin into another
| general engagement, although in mill
tary circles here the belief is expressed
that there will be no other big battle
in the campaign this year.
Positions Unchanged.
Gen. Kuroki's Headquarters, Nov. s.,
via Fusan, Nov. THE positions of
the two armies are unchanged. The
Russians continue infrequent and in
effectual bombardment, principally at
night or in the early morning, with
heavy guns, ~devoting their energies
chiefly to the Japanese left, where the
lines are nearer than elsewhere. The
Japanese refrain from replying. There
is a sharp exchange, indicating firing
somewhere on the lines, almost every
night.
Vladivostok Protected.
Chefoo. Nov. 7.-As the result Of
months of preparation Vladivostok is
nov strongly protected. according to
lCapt. Halvorsen, of the Norwegian
steamer fungus, which arrived here
five days out from that port with 700
Chinese refugees, who were unable to
live at V~ladivostok any longer, owing
to the high prices of food and other
necessities. due to the war. Capt. Hal.
vorsen says that the V~ladivostok sys-
tenn of Notifications begins many miles
outside the city proper and grows
stronger as the city is approached.
Ships laden with food, cannon, ammu-