The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-12-06
PREPARING FOR
The INEVITABLE
Russia Expects Port Arthur to Fall
If laps Hold 2o3-Metre Hill
MAY FIGHT TO BITTER END

General Stoessel's Friends Believe He
viii Refuse to Surrender If Ordered
to Do So, and viii Hold Out Until
the Last Man Falls.
St. Petersburg. Dec. S.-With the
confirmation of the news that the jap
auese have occupied 2O3-Metre Hill
and the report that the Russians III
successfully attempted its recapturc'
officials at the war Office are beginning
10 prepare themselves for the newt
able Golden Hill and Liaoti Till are
higher and dominate 20S-Metre HILL
but the officials say that If the Japa-
nese succeed in mounting heavy guhs
on the latter it probably will be Only
a question of days or weeks before the
nortress falls. Still there is not the
slightest idea among General StoeE
sells friends that he will surrendel,
even If he should be ordered to do SO,
II is limited that 1t is possible that Ia
the fall OF the fortress is shown to be
surrender In order to prevent the un-
necessary sacrifice OF the remnant OF
its brave defenders; but II is believed
By those who know General Stoessei
best that he will literally make good
his threat to hold out to the last mar
and the last cartridge in Port Arthur.
The ships in the harbor. it can now
be stated on high authority are in no
condition to attempt to break through
the investing squadron. The guns OF
the warships were long ago landed,
and the marines and sailors have been
participating In the land defense.
Some of the ships also have been In
jured by shells. II the fortress falls 1t
Is understood that they will be taken
outside and sunk in deep water IN
order TO prevent the possibility of their
ever being of service TO the enemy.
The question OK the advisability Of
reinforcing Vice Admiral Rojestvens-
ky's squadron with the Black Sea
fleet is again being agltated by some
of the papers, notably the Novoe
Vremya. which points out that with
the addition Of the Black Sea vessels
Rcjestvensky will have a superiority
which will insure victory over Admiral
Togos feet. The project was warmly
advocated by some officers of the ad-
miralty before the war. but II never
was sanctioned. and the admiralty
does not admit that the subject has
been revived. Neither does the foreiGn
office admit that any pressure is be-
ing exercised to secure the consent OF
the Porte for the passage of the Oar
danells by the Black Sea fleet.
The situation of the armies below
Mukden is again attracting attention,
but the movements in progress are
very puzzling. The war Office Is In
clined to reticence
General Rennenkampff has holly
pursued a Japanese detachment below
Sintsintin, as far as the Taitse river,
and on the right Russian scouts have
explored the Hun river below Lao
Yang. All the passes fell into Rem
nenkampff's hands. The japanese ap-
parently failed to show their old-time
form. and official as we'll as unofficial
dispatches indicate that the edge has
been taken off the japanese fighting
capabilities by the cold weather. 1he
same reports say the Japanese threw
away their rifles.
1t is the general opinion in military
circles that the present situation can
rot continue much longer, but 1t is
argued that a frontal attack against
fortified positions along the Shakne
river is bound to be disastrous to
whichever side attempts it. Any seri-
pus advance to be successful, 1t is be-
lieved at the war Office must be ac-
complished by a wide strategic tuIn-
ing movement, as the armies are 100
close for tactical fanking operations.
Among some of the best informed
officials a suspicion exists that Field
Marshal Oyama is trying TO work ku-
roki around east of Sintsintin, with a
view to striking the Russians above
Tie Pass, with the object of again
trying a decisive coup; but no posi-
tive evidence of such a move has yet
appeared.
Reports the last few days indicate
that General Rennenkampff is hot'y
following up the japanese retreat,
meeting with comparatively little Ie-
distance; but some fear is expressed
that he may be running into a Japa-
nese trap formed with the hope OF
cutting of his command 1t is be-
reved he cannot possibly hold posi-
ton so far south as the Taitse river.