Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-06
Russians Suffered Very Heavy
Losses Storming Meter Hill.
SACRIFICED 5000 MEN
MIKADO'S TROOPS ARE INCREAS-
ING THEIR DEFENsEs.
Observations Indicate Port Arthur
Garrison is Feeling Shortage OF
Men-Next Assault.

TOKYO, December B.-Ihe RuSSIins h'No
suffered the heaviest losses and 1t Is es-
timated that they have sacrificed S'oV
men in their determined endeavor 10 re-
take the summit of the ground in conteh-
tion-2o3- Meter Hill.
The Japanese are increasing their de-
lenses on the position and have succeeded
so far In repelling all the assaults. Ihe
Russians have suffered the heaviest losses
and it is estimated that they have sacrificed
1900 men in an effort to recapture the
ground which the Japanese are confident
In their ability to hold.
Observations indicate that the garrison is
feeling the shortage of men.
The works against Sung Shu mountain
and the forts to the eastward are prosIess
ing speedily and all indications point 10 an
early general assault, although the uate
when 1t will begin is kept secret.
1t Is expected that the next general as
sault will prove successful.
The effective bombardment OF the RUSSIAN
hattie ships in Port Arthur which began on
Saturday last was one of the results oi the
CAPTURE of 2O3-Meter Hill. Up TO tnat tiihe
the warships had been able to seek shelter
from the Japanese fire under Peiyu noun
tain. but the capture of 203-Meter Hill NO
yember 800 enabled the japanese 10 ualn
their guns on the Russian vessels WIN the
result that a number of them have been set
on fire and the others must either put 10
sea or suffer irreparable damage
Port Arthur Besiegers' Report.
The Port Arthur besiegers report as fol-
lows:
ION Saturday, December 3, our naval
guns bombarded the enemy's ships. The
Pobieda (battleship) was struck SIX times
a vessel of the Retvizan (battle ship, type
was hit eight times and on other ships SIX
teen shell took effect
ION Monday following the same plan, the
Pobieda was hit seven times. the fol.aea
(battle ship eleven times and the Retvizan
eleven times. AT about in the AFTERNOON
one of our shell struck magazine south OF
Peyu mountain causing a heavy explosion.
The coniagration which followed was not
eXtinguished for two hours. ,
THE same day our heavy guns were Ill
rected at the enemys ships. The PeresVlet
battle ship was struck twice ana Two
more shells were lodged in other ships A
vessel of the Poltava type was observed 10
be on fire. for one hour sending up great
volume of smoke.
THE attacking operations against the
Sungshu mountain forts eastward are car
red on day and night. The 36-milimeter
quick-firers were captured Sunday In
half-moon fort defending counterscarp
on Rihlung mountain.
Preparations for Winter Campaign.
GENERAL OKUS HEADQUAk AERS,
via Fusan, Monday, December delayed
In transmission).-In the villages near lne
actual Japanese line houses are being re-
paired and built, scores of wells are being
dug, villages are being denuded of trees
and quantities of fuel are being prepared
Every indication points to the intention
to remain on the present line during the
winter. The cold weather Is not affecting
the Japanese. although the temperature has
already fallen to few degrees above zero.
There are few sick men.
Ships Movements.
TANGIER, Morocco, December 8.-The
Russian cruisers Oleg and Izumrud sailed
today, going eastward.
ALGIERS. December 6.-The Russian
cruiser Rion formerly the Smolensk) and
two torpedo boats arrived here today.
Russians Think Japs Are Blufhng.
ST. PETERSBURG, December 6.-Japa-
nese reports received here to the effect that
bellgerent program has been mapped out
In case France, Germany and Portugal fail
to comport themselves toward the Rus
sian second Pacific squadron in accordance
with the Japanese idea of their duties as
neutrals are considered here to be largely
bluff. The supposltion that Japan actually
contemplates action which might embroil
Europe is not credited 1t Is pointed out
that by complicating the situation and in
Producing new elements Japan is not only
likely to prejudice her position at the end
OF the war; but in the meantime ALLEVIATE
the sympathies of the powers now friendly
to her