Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-28
MADE GENERAL AT TACK
Japanese Advance Their Lines
at Port Arthur.
MORE FORTS CAPTURED
REPORTS OF CHINESE WHO HAVE
ARRIVED AT CHEFOO.
MORE FORTS CAPTURED
Sensational Disclosures in a Private
Letter Purporting to Have Come
From the Beleagured City.

TOKYO, October 2S.-It is reported that
the Japanese opened a desperate special
attack on eastern forts of the Keekwan
group, north of Port Arthur, during the
| morning of October 26, and silenced the
| Russian batteries A shell exploded the
| Russian magazines
simultaneously the Japanese attacked the
forts On Rihlung mountain and Sungho-
howian mountain, silenced the Russian
batteries and stormed and occupied the
forts in front of these mountains
On the night of October 90 there was a
conflagration in old Port Arthur. and on
October 27 shell hit the Russian battle
ship Sevastopol and two Russian steamers
were sunk.
Official confirmation of the above is lack
ing, but the reports are believed to be
true.
Reports of Refugees From Port Arthur
CHEFOO, October 2S.-Japanese at Dalny
report the continued arrival of huge siege
guns.
A junk from Port Arthur with eleven
chinese, who left there on October 10 On ac-
count of the costliness of food arrived
here today. They say that several of the
RUSSIAN Warships have been hit by drop
ping shells, but none have been sunk They
estimate the able-bodied soldiers there now
at lu.oco, saying smaller force would be
tons. HoN-
Scarcely a night passes without small
engagements over minor positions and ar
uliery fire is exchanged daily Opium is
scarce. Ihe Chinese economically inclined
quantities.
Last winters uniforms are being worn
by the soldiers. who are now mostly sup
piled with Chinese Shoes
Stoessel Despairs, but Perseveres.
SHANGHAI, October 2S.-A private letter
from Port Arthur dated October 81. received
here today, says:
General StoesseI wired the Russian en-
peror and court recently, I now bid you all
goodbye forever. Port Arthur is my grave
General Stoessel has instHed the garrison
or the beleaguered fortress with the spirit
that to court a glorious death is preferab BILE
to capitulation. The japanese shells are in
ffcting great damage to the Russian fleet
In the harbor and to the fortifca tions The
arsenal, with its contents of ammunition
and small arms, has been DESTROYED and
preparations are being made for the last
deadly struggle at close quarters The
water supply having been cut off wells are
beAS Suilh. fTOVlSlOnS are scarce. Only
tirned meats being left, the soldiers hold
gala feasts on horses killed by the shells.
General SimonoH, 1t is said, would surren-
der, but is overruled by General Stoessel.
Certain troops included in the garrison
have to be closely watched at present for
fear of desertion or treachery.
The Hospitals Crowded.
THE field and naval hospitals are crowd
ed and hygienic conditions are becoming
desperate. The bombardment at times is
so incessant that it is impossible to bury
| the dead to any depth Over one-half of
the original garrison is dead, wounded or
sick. The high angle at which their artil-
lery fire is directed by the Japanese has
practically destroyed the new town.
when the fleet attempted to break
through the blockade some time ago the
garrison was to have made a desperate
sortie and inflict much damage as pos
sible, and if necessary capitulate The fail
ure of the fleet to escape frustrated the
plan. Tie besiegers are pressing closer
daily. anG it is hard to say how long we
can hold out When the end comes there
will be a desperate fight and surprise.
Thousands of the enemy will perish, as
everything is mined"
This letter was intrusted to native boat
man. who ran the blockade and mailed it
at Chefoo.
The recipient is prominent continental
business man of this city with a branch
house ct Port Arthur