The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-08-25
Forces of Mikado Demand
Surrender of Port Arthur.
GEN. ST0ESSEL DEFIANT
China is Warned as to Observance Ct
NeutraIity-Torpedo Boat Rye
shitelni Will Not Be Re-
turned by Japs.

An Associated Press dispatch CT
Wednesday from Toxic says: The
commander OF the army besieging
Port Arthur reports that Major Yamo-
ka,. member of his star. was dis
patched under a flag Of truce to the
outposts Of the Russians, where be
delivered to a Russian staff officer the
offer Of the emperor of japan granting
the removal of non-combatants He
also demanded the surrender Of Port
Arthur.
Stoessel Will Not Yield.
The announcement Of the mikado's
offer TO allow non-combatants to leave
Port Arthur; coupled with t1e demand
for the surrender Of the garrison
causes revulsion Of feeling in St. Pc
tersburg, according to the Associated
Press.
The war Office is without official
confirmation Of the summons served
on General Stoessel, but not the slight
est idea exists in military circles that
he will yield so long as food and am
nunition hold out without a fight,
even to protect defeaseless women
and other non-combatants from the
horrors of bombardment
Japan Scores China.
The Associated Press at London
learned Wednesday afternoon that Ja-
pan has made a demand on China IN
the nature Of an ultimatum that she
force her neutrality in the case of the
cruiser Askold and the torpedo boat
destroyer Grosovoi, now at Shanghai.
Japan pointed out that the time limit,
twenty-four hours, permitted by inter
national law, had expired and that Ja'
pan therefore was at liberty to take
such action as may seem to her expe-
dient.
At the Japanese legation in London
it was expressly stated that the Toxic
government had no intention Of re-
naming quiescent if Russia attempts
to compel China to give asylum to her
men Of war and authorize repairs at
her ports which would enable them TO
resume belligerent operations. Should
China fail to comply Immediately with
Japan's demand the division OF Japan
ese warships now in the vicinity OF
Shanghai will, the legation declares,
be instructed to enter the port and
capture the Askold and Grosovoi, as
was done in the case Of the Ryeshitel-
nj. Japan has made no secret Of her
intention, but has not consulted the
powers, believing that the matter is
one which concerns herself alone. ia
pan is prepared, the legation further
asserts, to recognize Chinese neutral
ity only so long as it is respected by
Russia.
With regard to the Ryeshitelni, Ja'
pan, it is asserted, is determined not
to comply with the Chinese demand
submitted in compliance with the Rus
sian note, that the vessel be returned
to Chefoo. Japan insists that to all in
tents and purposes Chefoo has Deen a
Russian base during the war, Chinese
junks having been fitted out there and
sent through the japanese blockading
vessels to Port Arthur.
No answer has yet been given by
Japan to the Russian protest in the
case of the Ryeshitelni. but when it is
made it will be communicated to all
the powers.
Closing in on Port Arthur.
According to news received at Che
Foo Wednesday, the Japanese line, mas
been drawn still closer around be-
leaguered Port Arthur.
Passengers on board the steamer
Cecima, which anchored off Port Ar
thur Tuesday night, witnessed the
bombardment from Pigeon Bay. The
japanese shells were Visible during
their whole course. They coursed
comet-like to the town and the explos'
ions were marked by great splashes OF
fire. which shot up into the sky.