Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-08-18
DEMAND REFUSED.


Port Arthur reports that Major Va
moka. a member of his staff, was dis
patched under flag of truce to The out
posts of the Russians, where he deliv-
cred to a Russian staff officer the offer
of the Emperor of Japan granting the
removal of noncombatants He also de-
manded tie surrender of Port Arthur.
General Stoessel was asked for a
prompt reply, and it is reported that
he has refused to comply with the de-
mand, and has also expressed dis
inclination to send out the noncombat-
ants.
The announcement of the Mikado' S
| offer to allow noncOmbatants TO leave
Port Arthur, coupled with the demand
for the surrender of the garrison,
causes a revulsion of feeling in ST.
Petersburg. The original report that
noncombatants would be permitted
to depart before the storming opera
tions began was regarded as a humane
and considerate act. The War Of
fee is without official confirmation Of
the summons served upon General
Stoessel, but not the slightest idea ex-
lists in military circles that he will yield,
so long as food and ammunition hold
out without fight, even to protect the
defenseless women and other nOncom-
baiants from the horrors of lombard
ment.
According to news received at Chefoo
yesterday the japanese line has been
drawn still closer around beleaguered
Port Arthur. The right wing OF the
japanese line has penetrated to the vi
cinity CT Pigeon bay, while the center
has moved forward from Paling Ching,
which is south of Shushiyen and two
miles north of the town. Chinese are
authority for the above outline Of the
new japanese positions.
Passengers on board the steamer Dec
ina, which anchored off Port Arthur
Tuesday night, witnessed the lombard
ment from Pigeon bay. The japanese
shells were visible during their whole
course. They circled cometlike to the
town and their explosions were marked
by great splashes of fire which shot up
into the sky. The bOmbardment from
this and other points began at midnight
and lasted until morning. The Rus
slams did not reply to the japanese fire.
Major Seaman, formerly a surgeon III
the American army, was passenger on
the Decima. He says the spectacle was
most brilliant and awe-inspiring. The
Decma weighed anchor from Port Ar
thur at 5o'clOck yesterday morning. At
some distance out she saw five japanese
warships guarding The harbor.
According to the correspondent Of the
London Daily Telegraph at Chefoo ref
ugees arriving there bring news of a
serious condition ofaffairs at Port Arthur.
They say that japanese shells have
ignited lighters in the docks which con-
tanned supplies of coal, resulting in a
terrific conhagration. Many OF the
buildings have been demolished and the
hospitals are crowded.
The captain and all the superior Of
fcers of the Russian cruiser Rurik,
which was sunk by Vice Admiral Kami-
mura, August IA, were lost Twenty
three of her officers were saved.
All the survivors we're naked when
captured, having stripped offtheir cloth
ing before the cruiser sank.
Further interesting details ofthe sea
battle of August 10 received al the Rus
sian Admiralty from Captain MatOuse-
witch, of the Czarevitch, now at Using
tau. show distinctly that it was a long.
range fight, and that the Russians, sail
ing in close formation, were placed at a
great disadvantage not only by the
superiority of the japanese numbers,
but. owing to the fact that after encom
passing Admiral Without in a semicircle
they we're enabled to pour in remark
ably deadly FIRE on the fleeing ships
Captain Matous evitch says the Japa
nese kept at a distance OF eight aud
never less than five miles. The efforts
of the Russians TO close with th'
japanese and sink some of their vessels
by rammipg them or by gun6re, even a
the cost of themselves going to thu
bottom, were consequently unsuccessful
The Japanese would not permit the Rus
slams to approach, but the rain Of pro
iectiles never ceased. The 12-inch shel
which glanced off the Czarewitch's for
ward turret and blew up the bridge, oil
which the late Admiral Without and hi
staff we're standing, was fred at a rang
at eight miles.
A Japanese squadron was expecte,
! at Shanghai yesterday. Japan is de
{ termined, it is stated, that the protecte
cruiser Askold and torpedo-boat destroye
: Grozovoi shall leave port promptly o
dismantle. The Shanghai correspondent
of the London Times under date
August l sends the following: "Ih
$ Chinese have again changed front. In
0 taotai today received instructions fror
: the Wai-wu-pu (the Chinese forelg
# board) that the cruiser Askold and tn
destroyer GrozOvOi are to be allowed
reasonable period for the execution
A repairs, at the expiration OF which PerIo
they must either depart or disarm. In
B Japanese consul yesterday intimate
kAL -