The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-08-09

Che Foo. August 6.--5 D. m.-"Port
Arthur certainly VIII fall inside of one
or two months. depending ON how fast
the ia panese move"
This opinion was expressed today
by an educated Russian who has just
arrived here from Port Arthur by a
junk. He had fifteen companions, but
the party left the Russian stronghold
six days ago. They suffered much
hardship on the trip over, from lack Of
food and water.
The Russian who voiced the fore
going opinion occupied an important
semi official position at Port Arthur,
and his views are regarded a.s valuable.
He says that while the Japanese con-
stantly receive re-inforcements. every
Russian casualty decreased the defen-
sive efficiency OF the garrison as the
Russians cannot be reinforced. Gen.
eral Suoessel. chief at
Port Arthur. is compelled to husband
his ammunition. He can manufacture
shells. but it is impossible to make
proper explosives. The necessity of
explains the retreat of the Russians
from the strong outposts where their
losses were far less seriou sthan those
sustained by the assailants.
According to this Russian, General
Stoessel in daily communication with
General Kuropatkin.
The three days fighting Of last
Details Of Recent Fighting at Port
Arthur.
Che Foo, August 6.-7 D. ma
| newspaper published at Port Arthur
which was brought in here Today gives
| fragmentary details of the recent
! heavy fighting there.
| The Japanese artillery opened a
desultory fire on the afternoon of July
25. That night the Russians slept on
| cupied line Is miles long. The next
morning, July 26, the fog cleared
away at o'clock. and the Japanese
] then began to fire along the entire
| line. This fire was kept UP until dark.
| The Japanese craftsmanship was most
accurate. showing that they had de-
rived benefit from the practice of the
preceding day. Their heaviest fire was
directed against the batteries. which
include the 1E-inch naval guns COM
| manded by Prince Tsche-dse and Cap
| tain Skredloff. A perfect shower of
| shells hit the earthworks or went
| screaching into the valley behind. do
ing considerable damage to the artil-
.erymen.
The hottest fighting began at day
break of July 81. The battle COM
menced under the rays OF a scorchins
sun. The Russian right wing was
commanded by Major-General Kon-
drauenko who was compelled to un-
dergo The brunt of the terrific cannon
aiding. To this fierce fire, the Russians
replied with deliberation. The naval
battery was again made the target fol
the heaviest fire. and ii was evident
that the Japanese were trying to Si-
lence the most dangerous Russian Do.
sition. A perfect shower of shrapne
was thrown into the valley behind the
Russian batteries. when Major-Gener-
al Kondratenko remarked that the
japanese, evidently believed that the
!, Russian reserves were in This valley
: From the naval guns observers occa-
| sionaHy saw shells bursting near the
other batteries.
Az the day wore on the activity ot
the Japanese fire increased.
| III Tile IllSdIlN IlllS, llic INuSSioEl
, fantry, passive witnesses Of the arul
lery duel. lay in their trenche:
awaiting an attack. They were wei
protected and but a few shells fel
among them. At 9 o'clock volley fir
ing gave warning of the japanese as
sault which followed swiftly. A.
the japanese infantry advanced tbs
Japanese artillery fire stackenet
somewhat, but the Russian baJterie.
: replied with increased vigor. while tht
{, Russian rifiemen volleyed rapidly a-(
r with great animation. For an hou
l the japanese advanced intrepidly il
the face of a fire which is described
2 as thousand volcanoes in simulta
: neous eruption.
The japanese advance against TIL
Russian right wing ceased. and tn
: Russians oheereds but II this mo
+ ment news arrived from Genera
StoeSsel. the commander-in-chief a
n Fort Arthur announcing that tn
TERRIFIC pounding to which the Russian