The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-07-19

American Correspondent. Recently a
Captive. Found Russian Troops In
Excellent Condition-Onlcers at a
Dance-Released by General stoes-
sci. Who Remarked, on Hearing Of
His Exploit, "You Americana Must
BE Crazy"
Hector Fuller, the war correspondent
of the indianapolis News, in a message
sent recently from Cilefu, China, de-
scribes his experiences at Port Arthur,
where lie was imprisoned. as follows:
"After being rowed across from the
Miautao islands in an open boat by two
Cinnamon. | landed at Louisa bay. The
bay is near Port Arthur and is separat-
ed from it by a range Of hills. I land
ed at daybreak on the morning of June
10 without detection. With the full
coming of the day l could see that
every hilltop neal the shore was alive
with soldiers, busily engaged in
strengthening the already formidable
Notifications. which occupied every
point of vantage.
1T looked at first as though it would
be impossible to pass through the lines
and make my way over the hills to-
ward Port Arthur, but by keeping down
in the narrow valleys. which We're free
of soldiers. l gradually made my way
into the interior of the peninsula. After
a day and night Of effort l succeeded in
reaching Port Arthur. The hazard of my
position became so obvious hat the
same day. Saturday. June II. l set out
on my return to Louisa bay. l present-
ly came in sight of u large body of
Russian infantry. when l took refuge
in a Chinese village. where l found a
hiding place until the danger was over.
II had not proceeded far from this
village when l came upon a small
party Of sappers. In order to avoid
them l made a dash up a hill, only to
run into another regiment. Instantly
l was surrounded.
"The officer in command detailed a
guard to take me to Pigeon bay. There
l was searched. l was stripped to the
skin, and all my garments We're sub
jected to the closest scrutiny. My mon
ey was taken, and all the papers in my
possession We're examined. Thereupon
l was blindfolded and marched to Port
Arthur. The route was over the mill
tary road recently constructed. In
spite of the bandage over my eyes |
was able to note that the road is of adj
mirable construction.
"Port Arthur was full of life and
uov nfv T'horo soay,od to ho on oh,,,,-
dance Of supplies. and fresh supplies
were coming in from Chinese sources.
"The japanese blockade has not been
effective. The harbor entrance has
been freed of distractions. the battle
ships have been reprinted. and the for
tifications are constantly being made
stronger. The garrison is larger than
outside information had led me to be-
lieve. The troops are in excellent con-
dition, and the general health condi-
tions of the city are good. There
seemed to be no fear that the city was
likely soon to fall.
"The night I was marched into Port
Arthur under guard the city was un-
usually lively, as the officers were CIV
ing a ball. Three officers were detailed
to examine me, and they made thor
ough work of it. After the examina-
ton was completed l was lodged in
prison. The prison is directly oppo-
site Golden hill. From the window of
my cell / had a good view of the inner
bay and could see distinctly the re-
paired battleships lying at anchor.
I'm the same prison were confined
100 Japanese who had been captured
from the blockading expedition. Sew
eral Of these had become insane. I
myself was kept on Russian black
bread and water for two days. Then
I was permitted by the authorities to
purchase such food as I desired. While
l was in the prison I was subjected to
seven different examinations. The
thing that evidently reused the great
est suspicion was the passport that
had been issued to me at Tokyo.
VI demanded the opportunity of see
ing General Stoessel. the commandant
at Port Arthur, that l might lay my
case directly before him. After five
days my plea was allowed. l made q
straightforward statement of my pur-
pose in seeking to penetrate the Rus
sian lines, and gave a detailed account
Of my trip. At last he was convinced
OF my good faith. He said: You Amer
leans must be crazy
"As the result of this hearing Of my
case General Stoessel decided that I
was to be allowed to leave Port Arthur
on condition that l promise never to
return. The promise raj promptly
forthcoming. Thereupon l was again
blindfolded and taken back under guard
by the direct route to Louisa bay. Ar
rived there I was requested to point
out the exact spot at which l made my
landing. Immediately a sentry was
placed at that point.
II was sent away then on a junk