The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-11-10
The War.

Port Arthur Is scene of carnage I'M
PARALLEL in modern history. To the
reckless bravery and persistency of the
Japanese is added the stubborn and
heroic defence of the Russian garrison.
SO bitter is the fighting that neither side
gives or takes quarters This is not a
Che Foo rumor but the censored des-
patch of a correspondent with the Japa-
nese army. Many wild rumors are
afloat, some to the effect that the Rus
SLAMS have abandoned Port Arthur itself,
including Golden Hill and retired for a
last stand to the Tigers Tail peninsula
This report is likely to be found to be in
advance of the facts, for it is inconcev-
able that the Russians should leave
Golden bill until the last.
Great relief was felt at st Petersburg
Friday in view of reports indicating that
the japanese assaults on Port Arthur
have been unsuccessful. A direct re-
port from the Russian consul at Che Foo
says he has received information from
Chinese sources that the Japanese final
ly relinquished the attempt on Novem-
Der 3rd, the Mikado's birthday after los
ing enormously. The consul says the
carnage WAS awful The commandment
continued six days without intermission.
The japanese preached and took Fort
No. g. but according to the Chinese,
were forced to abandon it owing to the
concentrated fire from the supporting
Notifications
No confirmation has been received
of the report that General StOessel
was wounded.
"a . hn
where the true conditions inside the
fortress of Port Arthur are known, Gen
eral StOesse's ability to hold out against
the efforts the Japanese concentrated
upon it during the last ten days s re
garded as marvellous but no confidence
in the ultimate result 10 entertained.
Foreign Minister Delcasse announced
to the council of ministers at Paris, Fri
day the details of the approaching ses-
sion of the Anglo Russian commission in
the North sea incident. lie said that an
agreement between both parties had
been formally determined upon for
the sessions of the commission. These
might begin about Nov. 10 if arrange
ments were possible to secure a full at
tendance by that time. Otherwise the
sessions would open soon after that date.
The commission would be composed of
British Russian, French and American
admirals, one from each country, these
four to select fifth admiral.
On Monday the positions of the two
armies were unchanged The Russians
continue unfrequent aud ineffective
bombardment principally at night or in
the carly morning, with heavy guns de-
voting their energies chiefly to the
Japanese left, where the lines are near
or than elsewhere. The japanese re-
frain from replying. There is a sharp
exchange indicating firing somewhere on
the lines almost every night.
The cold weather of the past week
eliminated Monday in a sharp wind and
hurres of snow The ground Is frozen
and the soldiers build few fires for
warmth, lest they draw the Russian
shots They have remarkably and in
genously we'll constructed shelter of corn
stalk wherever they are unable to occu-
ny Chinese houses. Fur overcOats are
being used.
AS the result of months of preparation
Vladivostok is nov strongly protected,
according to Capt. Halvorsen of the Nor
wegian steamer fungus, which has ar
rived here five days out from that port
with TOO Chinese refugees who were un
able to live at Vladivostok any longer
owing to the high prices of food and
other necesssries, due to the war.
Capt. Halvorsen says that the Vladivos
tok system or Notifications begins many
miles outside the city proper and grow
ing stronger as tho city is approached.
There is considerable evidence that
the Japanese will make every effort to
force the Russians out of hukden, not
only for the moral effect in Europe, but
upon the Chinese as we'll. Mukden ia
extremely important to them as winter
quarters.
The japanese continue to receive rein
fo1cements, and it is believed by the
Russian military men that their advanc-
ing depends only upon accommodating
ficient men.