Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-03-03
PORT ARTHUR
IN DANGER.
FLEET KEEPS GARRI-
SON ON EDGE.

StteWpt 10 DlOCh tne FIdfpOF UttH
Sunken Vessels Fails--Forts and
Fleet Defending Bombarded--Visdi-
vostock Said TO be Threatened--Ar-
mics Touch in korea--Japan Guar
antees korea's Independence.
Everything indicates that the japanese
are about to make a determined movement
on Port Arthur with the intention of cap
turing this Russian stronghold. Admiral
Togo's feet has been operating against the
point the past week. An attempt was
made Feb. 23d 10 close the mouth of the
harbor by sinking ships in it, the same as
Hobson tried to do at Santiago. Four or
five old merchant steamers were loaded
with stones and, conveyed by the Japan
ese torpedo boats, approached the harbor
in the darkness OF the night. The Rus
SLAMS were alert and detected the ap-
proach before the enemy had reached the
intended positions. ell-direoted bat
tery fire, especially from the stranded bat
tleship Retyizan, prevented the japanese
from fully accomplishing their purpose.
The hulks were sunk, but not in the places
intended, so that the harbor was not
blocked. The torpedo boats retired, tax
ing with them nearly all of the crews OF
the sunken vessels. One crew made their
way by open boats to Che Foo, a neigh
first Misunderstanding the nature Of this
movement, thought they had repelled a Sc
rious assault on Port Arthur, and il was
reported that four japanese battleships
had been sunk. The greatest enthusiasm
prevailed in Russia, until the facts were
known.
The following day the japanese fleet
came within range and engaged the forts
and the Russian cruisers that went forth
to meet them. The latter returned soon,
being unable to Withstand the fire. The
japanese report that they chased one Rus
sian torpedo boat into Pigeon Bay and de-
stroyed it. The Russians haven't admitted
this loss 1t is likely that the japanese
have lost one OF two torpedo boats, but
they have carefully concealed II. The
Russian battleships Tsareyitch and Retvi-
zan, damaged in the first encounter, can
only be used as guard ships at the harbor
entrance.
Gen. stoessel, the Russian commander
Of the Port Arthur garrison, has issued
statement that the japanese will shortly
besiege Port Arthur. that he will never
give the order TO surrender, and calling
upon his soldiers TO defend the place to
the death. He says the sea is ON three
sides. the enemy will be on the fourth,
and there will be no escape save py
victory This is regarded as a remarkably
worded order, and is taken TO indicate
that the Russians are panicky and fear
the outcome OF the Japanese movements.
Ii is surmised that the japanese have
transports loaded with troops uear at
hand that will soon be landed, after the
fleet has demoralized the defenders.
IL il reported that supplies are very
scarce at Port Arthur and that ii is IN
no condition 20 stand a siege.
Unconiirmed reports have come that
the japanese have landed in the vicinity
Of N1aFtNgEfpaLr nd ar fbrnnfpnfnn
that point, as well as the Siberian railway
that provides il with communications.
The northern Russian squadron is said
to be ice bound at that port.
The main land forces OF the two antag-
onists are apparently in close touch in
northern Korea. The japanese have
occupied Ping Yang, and the Russian
exchanged shots, but without important
results. II is not known how large
part OF the Russian force is south OF the
Nalu, that is, in Korea. The Russian
plan is supposed to be to throw out in
this section a detachment that viii OBJ
struct the Japanese approach as much
as possible and retire slowly, while the
main army is concentrating about Muk
den or Harbin in Manchuria. Russia is
making every effort to increase the size
and effectiveness Of its army. The con-
neetion OF the Siberian railroad at Lake
Baikal has been built on the ice, and
ira ins run 40 miles in this way.
Japan has entered into a treaty with 1
Korea whereby she guarantees the inde- 4
pendence and integrity OF Korea, which
means that she will not annex this empire 1
to her own, II the war goes her way. II is /
likely that the Korean army will make
common cause with the japanese. IL is 4
said there is a secret arrangement between
Japan and China, whereby the latter may I
come TO her aid, IL necessary. A large
Chinese force is reported by the Russians
to the eastward OF their army in Man
churia, and causing them some unrest.
Feeling in Russia is quite strong against /
the United States on account of its alleged /
partiality for Japan. Officially, our gov
ernment has done nothing TO provoke this,
but has maintained strict neutrality. So
far, there are no indications that other
European nations will be drawn into the