The Minneapolis journal., 1904-12-24

DaIny reports that the Russians at Port
Arthur proposed to surrender the fortress
on terms which General Nogi, the Jap
anese commander, refused. The terms
were that the Russian ships should be al
lowed to return to Russia.
Toxic. Dec. 24.-The japanese forces
besiegiug Port Arthur yesterday
stormed and now hold the heights east !
of Hou-yang-shu-kou
\ dispatch from the army before |
Port Arthur says:
On Dec. % the Russian works on the
heights east of Hou- -yank kshu-kou. Sung
Bhu mountain, Rjh-lung mountain and the
HI forts were bomharded by the Jap
anese with heavy guns, which inflicted
considerable damage. AS a result of the
bombardment a detachment Of the Jap
anese right wing at dawn, Dec. 23, at
tackled the enemy on the heights east Of
IouyanS -Shu-kou and captured the ridge
and heights at 7:40 in the morning.
Afterwards the enemy concentrated his
fire from several forts at Taiyang- -kou
and Ya-hu-tsui upon our newly-occupieo
position, following this with a determined
COUNTER attack, during which hand gre
nades were thrown, but our force finally
Tepulsed the enemy. Later, as the enemy's
bombardment abated. we constructed
some defensive work. so that our occupa-
tion became more assured.
Fort Set on Fire.
AS a. result of our heavy bombardment
nurng and before the attack, the fort
west of Tai-yang-kou was set on fire. One
Fifteen -centimeter gun in each Of the forts
was destroyed The covers were also
considerably damaged.
Two Generals Killed.
According to the statement of prisoners
eaptured at Kek-Wan mountain, Dec. lS,
and Of Russians who surrendered in the
vicinity Of Else mountain, Dec. 22, during
the battle of 2O3- Meter hill. General Kond-
ratenko, commander Of the Seventh East
Siberian rifles division. and General Irman,
commander of the Fourth artillery bril-
gade were killed. and General Fock, com
manding the Fourth East Siberian divis-
ion was wounded.
Batteries Reach sevastopol.
The advanced Japanese batteries at
Port Arthur have succeeded in reach
ing the Russian battleship Sevastopol.
One successful hit is reported. 1t is
expected that the battleship will soon
become completely destroyed.
Togo Pulls Of Part Of Fleet. .,
Admiral Togo announces the with
drawal of the majority of the feet from
Port Arthur.
The admiral telegraphing under date
of Dec. %, says:
After 203- Meter hill was occupied as
the result Of a gallant and desperate at
tack by the besieging army, the lombard.
lnent of the enemys squadron by siege
and other heavy guns became effective. II
consequence the batleships Potava ant
Retvizan and subsequently the battleship
Pobeida and Peresviet, the protected
cruiser Pallada and the armoret
cruiser Bayan were sunk. The battleshil
fho LAM hny11 1har n
ment, left the harbor Dec. and anchored
near Chentao mountain. She was at
tackled there continuously by our torped
boats and heavily damaged. The mail
crushed. Only a weak gunboat, the OF
vashni, and several torpedo boat destroy
ers remain afloat.
Under the circumstances our combine
fleet has been removed as unnecessary 70
the blockade Of Port Arthur, which ha
been maintained since May J. I have ar
ranged for a. closer watch for ships at
tempting to the blockade, and t
watch the remnant of the enemy's squad
ron.
Losses Of Japanese.
During the blockade we suffered fro1
the enemys mines. both laid and f1oa
ing ON the high seas, and from dens
fogs. The cruisers Miyako Saiyen ar
Yoshino the battleship Hatsuse, the gun
boat Kannon and the Heiyen, a coas
defense vessel, were sunk. and many ga
liant and loyal officers and men were kille
But we succeeded In maintaining Il
blockade. When the enemy emerged fro
the harbor our fleet successfully engage
him and finally, with the valuab
support of the besieglng army. su
ceeded in crushing nearly all t
enemy's squadron. Our second squadr
so heavily damaged the Vladivost
squadron that it has since been unable
leave port.
Credit Due Emperor's Virtue.
All this success is gratefully attribut
, to the brilliant virtue of our emperor.
During the blockade all the ships II
der my command splendidly accomplish
the work and duty assigned to them. +
pecially to be noted are some of those W
are engaged in the difficult and risky ia
Of bockading, who tirelessly accO
plished the work of laying mines in
presence of the enemy, others who, bra
ing all dangers, were engaged In the VIC
Of clearing mines away, and others S
who were posted to watch the enemy a
guard against the enemy's ships. Th
combined work strongly contributed to
accomplishment Of the blockade. I de
it my duty to especially mention my r.
ognition of the valuable service render
the officers and men.
Emperor Praises Fleet.