Perth Amboy evening news., 1904-08-23
CONFLICT IS RAGING.
Japanese Pouring In a Heavy
Fireaoi Port Arthur
CARS SHIPS MUST LEAVE SHANGHAI
American Warshfps, while Outward
" inactive, Have Practically
Cleared For Action, With Gun
Sights Ready and steam Up.

~ Inactive Have Practtcnliy
Cleared For Action, With Gun
Sights Ready and steam Up. q
LONDON, Aug. 23.-Advioes from
Chefu say that the news of the general
assault o. Port, Arthur indicates that
a, tremendous conflict is raging and
that victory is hanging in the balance,
The Japanese yesterday bombarded
Port Arthur from 9 O'clock in the
morning until 1 o'clock in the after
noon, pouring in a heavy fire, but the
| Russians succeeded In ~silencing the
| Japanese batteries. The Japanese fleet
was not engaged, having put further
out to sea.
The Japanese have swept the Rus
slams from Pigeon bay and captured
the northernmost fort of the western
line of inner d~efenses at Port Arthur.
The Russian artillery prevents the
Japanese from occupying the fort on
Pigeon bay.
With each additional report from
Port Arthur wonder increases both at
the persistence of the Japanese attack
and the heroic stubbornness of the de-
tenders of the fortress. The Japanese
are literally throwing away thousands
of lives in the hope of shaking the
courage of the Russian troops.
According to a Moscow report, Lieu
tenant General Stoessel concluded a
teftgf.h to an intimate friead there
With tiie, words: Farewell forever.
Port Arthur will be my tomb"
Information from Port Arthur shows
that the besiegers have been re-en-
forced by 10000 men from the north.
1t Is reported that the Japanese have
captured Fort No. %, one mile north
of Golden hill. They are not attempt
ing to storm Liaotsaishan promontory.
TheiEo right wing stops at Pigeon bay.
The Russian garrison Of Port Arthur
is estimated at 23,000 men, covering an
area Of twelve miles.
The Japanese main attack has been
the heaviest against the Russian cen
ter and right, particularly against the
center, fronting which the Japanese
have taken up a strong position at Shu-
siyen. /.
The temperament of the Russian gar,
rison is logged and determined. Gen
eral Stoessel, who is heavy. rides ease
lessly his chargers, which are showing
the strain upon them, although the
general changes his mounts frequently.
Both officers and men have grown in
different to the shells which enter the
town frequently. Recently the Chinese
theater was hit, and a score of people
were killed or wounded.
An unusually large proportion of
young company officers have been kill
ed, which is partially owing to their
duties and to reckless daring.
At Shanghai, the taotai has granted
the Russian cruiser Askold and de-
stroyer Grozovoi till noon today to
leave port.
The Russian vessels will not be al
lowed to make any further repairs.
The Japanese torpedo boat whose ar
rival here caused much excitement,
and which was followed to her. an
chorage by the United States torpedo
boat Chauncey, has left the harbor.
She carried dispatches for a japanese
fleet lying off the mouth of the river.
The American warships at Shanghai,
whHe2 outWAifdly inactive, have been
E~forseEera1 days practically cleared for
action Their gun sights are in posi-
ton, and they keep steam up. Admiral
Stirling Is determined not to allow the
Japanese to interfere with the Russian
ships, and has offered to escort them
outside the three mile limit. I
A later report says that as soon as
China and Japan come to an agree
,meit the Askold anu Grozovoi will be
'disaifhed, the admiralty having de-
cited that IT would be suicidal to send
THEM out against the superior force of
the japanese lying in wait.