The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-06-11
Attack On Port Arthur BEGUN.


Chefoo. June l0-The long contem-
plated attack by the Japanese on Port
Arthur began early yesterday morn
ing. The Russian forces around the be-
leaguered city were reinforced by the
troops which had garrisoned Dalny
and Kin Chou. The Russian vessels in
the harbor with their great guns.
aided the land forces in repelling the
attack. The fighting still goes on.
4 Chinese formerly employed in the
machine shops at Port Arthur. who
arrived here says that only five Of the
nine largest Russian ships at Port Ar
thur are capable of going to sea, and
that steam is kept up on but three OF
the FIVE sound vessels. All the guns
from the damaged ships have been re-
moved TO the forts. and the sailors
from these ships have gone to the
front with the troops. The Russian
warships. which formerly were painted
black. are now painted gray as are the
vessels of the Japanese feet. Russian
torpedo boats leave the harbor occa-
sionally for half an hour. but the larger
warships cannot get through the en-
trance.
Little work is being done in the ma
chine shops because Of the confusion
among the workmen each time firing
is heard. One shell recently wrecked
a machine shop building but did no
damage to the machinery. Another
she'll wrecked the Offices in the dock
yards. over $50 mines have been laid
in the roadstead. and many others have
been placed around the shops in the
naval basin Some of the latter We're
exploded last week by lightning. but
no damage was done.
The Chinese who come out OF Port
Arthur complain of the treatment &C
corded them by the Russian soldiers,
saying they were matreated If they
did not supply the soldiers with money
and liquor. Villagers in the vicinity OF
Port Arthur are compelled to supply
the soldiers with rice and Russian
horses are turned loose in their wheat
fields. destroying the crops. japanese
spies who entered Port Arthur last
week distributed notices assuring the
Chinese of liberal treatment in case
the japanese were victorious.
Russians Driven From SiamatZe.
St. Petersburg June 10. -- General
Kuropatkin telegraphs to the emperor.
under date Of June s:
"A Japanese brigade attacked a Rus
clan detachment occupying Saimatze
on June Z. The Russians retired
slowly. because Of the enemy's great
superiority. toward Fenchuln Pass.
Our losses were two officers wound
ed and 100 soldiers killed or wound
ed.
In another report General Kuropat-
kin says:
"a japanese squadron Of six vessels.
which was later reinforced by IL 9TH
ers, appeared on the west coast Of the
Lao Tung peninsula June I about !
O'Clock in the afternoon. Six of the
ships were of the first class. the others
of the second and third class. and tor
pedo boats. The squadron cruised III
sections. bombarding various points ~
the east of Kai Chau and Senyuchons
directing their fire on our posts and
patrols wherever these appeared
"The squadron ceased firing at
p. m. and steamed away southwark.
Our losses are none. nor did we suffer
any material damage. Six ships reap
peared south Of Kwan Tsia Tung AMI
lowered boats. Six other ships bonn
barded the coast near Senyuchen and
the town itself, but there was no land
ing.
japanese troops are concentrating
southwark, with a front extending for
more than 10 miles, from Pulantien to
Fang Tsia Tung, in the valley of Tas-
sakho.
"a Japanese force of two companies
OF infantry and a squadron Of cavalry
june ilOl bhNsdlu lloli tHB
Wang Cheng into the Ia Fang Hung
district, driving in the COssack out
posts. A detachment of chasseurs and
a company Of infantry FASTENED from
Ualindi to aid the Cossacks. The Japa-
nese abandoned their attack, having
lost one officer and non-commission-
ed officer captured and several men
killed We had no casualties.
"Outposts of Cossacks on the main
Lao Yang road were driven in on
June Z, but reinforcements forced the
japanese 10 retire Our loss during
the fighting. which lasted until p. m,
was Captain Liatchko and two sol
diers killed and five soldiers wounded
GUESSING AT JAPs' PLANS
Believe Kuroki's Movements Feint TO