The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1904-12-09
JAPS PAY dearly
FOR A VICTORY
CAPTURE 203 METRE HILL AT
PORT ARTHUR AFTER A DES-
PERATE STRUGGLE.
Slaughter Is Awful on Both Sides
Japs Lose / 500 Men in Two Hours
Of Fighting-A Brief Armistice
Agreed on to Bury tho Dead.

lowing dispatch has been given out
"The army commenced bombardment
against 203-metre hill at dawn Novem-
Der 80 and made several charges before
four o'clock in the afternoon Owing to
the enemy's stubborn resistance the
charges failed. At five o'clock in the
afternoon our forces advanced against
the southeastern portion of the hill,
made fierce charge and reached
within 30 metres Of the summit. At
seven o'clock, with reinforcements, we
charged to the top, which was occu-
pied by our forces. Against the north
eastern part Of the hill we also charged,
and at eight o'clock the entire fort on
the summit fell into our hands. The
Russians left heaps of dead bodies on
the eastern side of the hill, but we have
had no time to investigate further. -
Terrible Slaughter:
London, Dec. 2.-The correspondent
at Chefoo of the Daily Telegraph says
that the attack on 203-Metre hill re-
suited In heavy losses to the First divi-
sion of the japanese stormers. Stimuli
taneously with this assault the corre-
spondent says, men of the Ninth and
Eleventh divisions advanced and men,
aced the Rihlung and Kekewan forts.
It Is stated, the correspondent adds,
that within the last "a hours the Jap
anese casualties have totaled $4,000,
and it is asserted that the attacks have
been planned to continue until Deem
Der 10, when, it ic hoped, the capture of
Port Arthur will be completed.
Prepared for the Inevitable.
st. Petersburg, Dec. 3.-With the
confirmation of the news that the
japanese have occupied 203 Metre hill
and the report that the Russians I'M
successfully attempted it's recapture,
officials at the war Office are beginning
to prepare themselves for the inevita-
BILE. Golden hill and Liaoti hill are
higher and dominate 203 Meter hill,
but the officials say that if the Japa-
nese succeed in mounting heavy guns
upon the latter it will probably be
only a question of a few days before
the fortress falls.
Will F1gnC TO the Last.
Still, there is not the slightest idea
among Gen. Stoessel's friends that he
will surrender, even if he should be
ordered to do so. 1t is limited that IL
is possible that If the fall of the fort
ress is shown to be inevitable, the
emperor may direct it's surrender in
order to prevent the unnecessary sac
rifice of the remnant OF its brave de-
tenders, but it is believed by those
who know Gen. Stoessel best that he
will literally make good his threat to
hold out to the last man and the last
cartridge in Port Arthur.
Will Sink Their Ships.
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. If the fortress falls
it is understood they will be taken
outside and sunk in deep water in Or
der to prevent the possibility of their
ever being of service to the enemy.
Armistice to Bury the Dead.
Toxic, Dec. 5.-The first armistice
between the combatants at Port Ar
thur was declared on December 2, for
the purpose of burying the dead. 1t
lasted for a. period Of six hours.