Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-27
PORT ARTHUR SITUATION.
Correspondent Disposes of the Story Of
10000 Jap Loss.

LAO YANG. July PA Russian corre-
spondent of the Associated Press, who has
just arrived here after two months stay
at Port Arthur, gives an important and in
teresting narrative of the situation at the
beleaguered fortress when he left there
July II, which shows that the Japanese op-
eratons till then had not advanced so far
as supposed. Several Russian successes
are chronicled, but the report of a japanese
reverse, with the loss of 10000 men. is
definitely disposed of, not being even men,
toned by the correspondent, who says:
when | put to sea in a junk the land
position on the Russian right flank, sur
rounding Green and Semaphore hills, which
the Russians had lost, had been recaptured
by assault The heights of Huinsin. which
the Japanese defended desperately, afone
remained in their hands. But l am con-
vinced that this position also has since
been retaken. The very morning of my de-
parture July Il, the position being
bombarded by siX-inch Howitzers, and
shells were falling repeatedly into the Jap
anese works, causing great disorder.
ITO sum up, by the fighting of July 3,
and g. when evidently the Russian forces
were acting on the offensive, the Russians
regained on the land side the positions
they had held in front of the fortress pre-
viously to the battle of kinchou.
Japs Within Twelve Miles.
THE main forces of the besiegers are, on
the average, at a distance of twenty miles
from the perimeter of the fortress on the
Russian right but the japanese have ap-
preached to within twelve miles on the
Russian left. So far Inchentse station,
fourteen miles from Port Arthur, the rail-
road is working Between r}OO0 and 5000
men are operating before Port Arthur Ihe
troops maintain constant eNchange OF
skrmsh fire, but the field other guns
are usually silent. The japanese apparent
ly are conducting slow engineering ad-
vance.
Often in the morning the Russians dis
cover fresh trenches. The Japanese are
compelled to abandon this work in the day
time the Russians regularly open fire
on them as soon as daylight discloses the
work. The activity of the Japanese at sea
is confined almost exclusively to nocturnal
raids the part of the torpedo-boat de-
stroyers and torpedo boats, the sowing OF
Seldom does night pass without firing
from the shore batteries. The attack on
the guardships are easily discovered by the
Russian searchlightS and as soon as fire
is opened on the Japanese, they make OFF.
There are also occasional cannonades by
day, when the protected cruiser Novik and
the guardships put to sea to reconnoiter
Sometimes the hotila of trawlers which
was regularly sent out to remove the mines
Sown by the Japanese the previous night
attracted the attention Of the enemy's
scouts, which are always cruising within
sight of Port Arthur, and they would ap-
proach and fire a few shots. The Japanese
are discouraged by the failures which they
made to close the entrance of Port Arthur
with freships, and have stopped sending
them in They have also grown tired of
bombarding the fortress and shore bat
teries
Squadron is Intact.
THE Russian squadron is intact and the
health of the garrison is splendid, but the
sameness of food is trying. There is no
epidemic infectious disease at Port
Arthur, with the exception of few cases
of intestinal disorders. which, however,
entirely confined to the men on outpost
service who are subjected to great priva-
tions compared with the remainder of the
garrison.
THE spirits of the troops are excellent,
of course, they all would like to
have the siege raised and be freed from the
menotony and the absence of all
with the outside world.
Pessimists are rare, the vast majority OF
those within the fortress being firmly con-
vinced that Port Arthur is in danger OF
falling. Many hag0 ceased to believe even
In the possibility of an attempt to take the
fortress by storm. The blockade itself pre-
sents no terrors.
Enough Provisions.
There is a sufficient supply of preserved
goods, wheat and flour to last a long time.
and there is also enough coal for the squad
ron.
Perfect order and tranquility reign. The
close at 10 o'clock at night, and
are not allowed to sell alcoholic drinkA