The San Francisco call., 1904-11-18
Port Arthur Sends
Out Encouraging
Messages.

CHEFC, Nov IA Russian who has
Just arrived here from Port Arthur re-
ports that the fortress is holding cut
well despite three months Of almost
continuous bombardment. The active
land defense is entirely in the hands of
Lieutenant General STnirnoff. comnan-
der OF the fortress. though General
StoesseI is ceassIess in his watchful-
ness and is frequently on the firing
line
Much of the success in repelling the
six-day attack, it is said, is due to
General SmirnOd's handling of the ar
tlery- IS an example OF his work, the
Russian relates that during an attack
Oh hill, which was already in the
hands OF the japanese on three sides.
General SmirnOff sent quick-fiTing guns
under cover Of darkness and got in the
rear Of the japanese reserves, who
were waiting for the final attack, cut
than Up and drove them off, prevent
ing them participating in the fnal
assault.
The report that the Japanese blew
up fort No. ?, the Russian says. is in
correct. The japanese attempted 10
take the fort, but General SmirHoff
personally superintended countermin-
-A-E GRN4 rAAlgaEs hR AAi- P6I-'~
tunnel and put a stop 10 their ad-
vance.
ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 17.-As a
result CT the dispatches received from
General StOessei, the War Office ex-
presses entire confidence that Port Ar
thur viii be able 10 hold out till the
arrival OF the Russian second Pacific
Squadron.
General Stoessel, in his dispatches to
Nicholas the TenrltGc
Of the japanese attack on October IS
on the north front Of Port Arthur. The
Russian losses were $50 killed or
wounded. All Of the attacks on No
yember 3. the anniversary of the EN-
perOr's ascension TO the throne, were
repulsed.
General Stoessel was slightly wound
ed IN the head during one OF the latest
assaults on Port Arthur.
The text Of General Stoessels dis
patches OF October 2s is as follows:
We have the honor TO report 10 your
Majesty that the japanese bOmbarded
very vigorously on October 25 our forts
and entertainments north and north
east. The following day they also at
tackled one Of the forts on the north
side, but our heavy artillery and shrap-
mel fire dispersed their reserves and the
assault was repulsed. Our losses We're
one officer and about seventy men
killed and four hundred wounded"
In a telegram dated October 80 Gen
ersl Stoessel says:
Since my dispatch Of October 2s the
bombardmeI-t continues with great
fierceness
Under date Of November 3. General
Stoessel telegraphed:
We greet the Emperor. This day,
a solemn one for all our country, We
of1er prayers TO God and send to our
Emperor fluctuations in the shape Of
reverberating hurrahs. On bended
knees We pray 10 God to give health 10
your Majesty and their Majesties, the
Empresses and the Grand Duke Care
witch. Our JOY is all the greater be-
cause all the assaults, which lasted
nine days, have been repulsed up to
this great day, the anniversary o. your
accession TO the throne, the same date
our japanese enemies celebrate the an
niversaIy Of the birth Of their Mikado
and Whereupon they had sworn to take
the fortress. God is with us"
CHEFU, Nov. 17.-F'ignting at Port
Arthur has taken place nightly since
the japanese began their general as
ain Ronberg, pilot, who was a pas
senger on the Russian torpedo-boat de-
stroyer Rasteropny.
The Japanese trenches, the captain
says, are closest to the forts on Rih-
lung and keewan mountains and to
other forts Of the northeastern group.
The sharpshOoters of both sides oc-
cupying the pits converse with one an
other and frequently make individual
truces. in order TO borrow cigarettes or
to relieve their cramped limbs.
The japanese are displaying great
energy In the construction Of trenches
and the mounting Of guns.
All Of the railroad steamships be-
longing to the Russians, except the
steel screw transport Amur, have been
sunk by Japanese shells. The hospital
ship Angara formerly a transporD has
been sunk in shallow water. The pa
tients are still on board the ship and
are comfortable.
The japanese shells directed against
the harbor are fired with remarkable
accuracy. Recently a silk-clad Chi
nese, who was seen travelling in
sampan, was watched by the Russians,
who observed that following the dis
charge OF each shell, he placed a hand
kerchief to his nose and then into his
left pocket, occasionally varying these
movements, apparently thus signaling
the landing places of the shells. The
shells fell behind obstructions, which
fact prevented the japanese obtaining
direct view Of their effect. The Chi
nese was hanged.
One day last week a hospital ship
moved too near the battleships in the
harbor, whereupon the Japanese
dropped small shells around her. with
the obvious purpose OF warning her
away. The ship took the hint. and
when she was outside the zone of dam
ger large shells began falling near the
battleships.