New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-19
THE GARRISON 1900.
In Hospitals, 5000, Says Russian
Ofcer-Carnage at 2G3-Wetre Hill.

Che-Foo. Dec. 1S.-ComTpander Mtzzenof. who
was executive officer of the Russian battleship
Poltava until that vessel was disarnied dis
abled>. and who on December 10 headed ths
party of seven Russians who left Port Arthur
in a sailboat and arrived here Friday with dis
patches. said to-day that Port Arthur is e DESC
late and. except for the firing of guns. a silent
place. He added:
The Russians are husbanding their artillery
ammunition. firing only when the effect will be
forts and their periods of rest are few. The
generals. except General StOessei, live in the
forts There are 5000 men in the hospitals. and
every building in the whole town IS nlore OF
less injured.
General stoess.l has put the entire population
on the regular 'atiOns sufficient 10 last three
months. The ammunition is sufficient 70 last
much longer.
believe the Japcness will never take the
fortress under present conditions
For ferocity and sustained desperation on both
sides, the struggle for the possession OF Hish
C203-M -Metre) Hin probably was ,he most remark
able in the history OF the siege Of Port Arthur-a
siege noted for slaughter. This statement Is
based on the story Of Commander Nizzenofr. who
was wounded IN the leg in the battle He saidI
Since the japanese, on the 2Sth. began their
attack on High Hill which they call 20S-M Metre
Hill, the fighting has been continuous. The
steep and sandy slopes of the hill were Streaked
and dotted with snow when the Japanese began
the battle which was destined to furnish go,
many deeds os heroism that they became conl-
monplace. There much slaughter that
even Port Arthur's war-hardened veterans shUd-'
deIed at the sight.
slopes OF the hill In many cases. without firing.
in the face OF OF the most Tnurderous deuges
poured from rifles and machine guns. Is
seemed TO that flesh and blood would be un-
able 10 stand fire for minute.
The enemy went down N squads and Con,pa-
MES. buy there were always others grinlly COM
ing forward. Their bravery was beyond praisa.
that Of our own men, Sometimes the
fighting was hand 10 hand. with the rnuzzlss
o. the rifles at the breasts Of the coDtestsnts,'
the AayouetS being used as swords.
The sides OF the hill were s-Uewn with bodies
ana the SNOW was crimsouel with the blood OF,
the wounded. some Of whom had crewled into'
it. seeking In It's coIdness sCrcease for their
dying agOuleS.
Eventually. as in similar instances which were
70 follow, retired leaving the work OF drtv-
ing the enemy from the summit 70 the reslstless
guns OF the neishoorias forts. notably those ot
Oae incident of this assault viii remain for
ever Impressed my mind When "a pareSe
standard bearer reached the summit and planted
his Tag. i gigantic Russian corporal left his
treating comrades. and. rusning back seized the
nag. which he was tearing with his hands ard,
with hts teeth when he fell pierced with several
bullets.
When the Japanese retired under 2n artillery
Ere the Russians ~NoCCupjed the su-c:,rit.
Tho second and third assaults we're reolicas
o. lke fiISt. although tue second was tHe st'S-
feroCiOus being nearly ail hand 70 aaad, n
which mercy was neither asked UOv given
4 remarkable incident oCC ITrcd In the third
assault as the FussIus still facing the enemy.
retrcated 4 japanese standard nHarer. holding
his fag aloft. climbed The pinnacle and teH
dead ClutChinC the Col0rs. In his tracks an
other arose with the ColOrS. Only 70 fall in
stant]v with a dozen wounds I'm his body. Six
others followed and met the same fate- At
last. when tho ninlh man appeared Russisn
CfiiCC~ eNCla med.
Don't shoot thai fellow With the Tag: it viii
be planted anyhow
The japanese adopted a curious expedie1t
which assisted thCm greatly IN the third @s-
sault. They rad prepared huge piles o. wood.
coal and coruatclNs, which they ignt7d. the
Wind being I'm thC faces OF the Russians. Ths
resultant fire was immense ana the flames AID
smoke compelled tie Russians 70 retire.
The red glare fvov' this ire disclosed gNaStiy
picture more infer nSl tnan ever dreamed by
Dante.
The aSsau ults thus Ear mad cost the japanese
easily 12.OO0 men while own We're under
1000. The sides Of the hill were literally COW
cred with dead and wounded. The trenches
were rivulets OF blood and every visible spot
dyed crimson
We might retake the hill said General Stoes-
sell but II is not of sufficient Importance 20 US
10 Justify further sacrifice.
been waged. but the responsibility for keeping