The Oskaloosa herald., 1904-11-03
ARTHUR IS
AGAIN ASSA|LED
FURIOUS ATTACK BY JAPs ON
BEsIEGED CITY.
TWO MORE FORTS CAPTURED
Unconfrmed Report of Sinking of
Russian Battleship in Harbor
Sharp Fighting Near the
Shakhe River.

Shanghai, Oct. 29.-It is reported
that the Japanese have occupied twS
forts to the northeast of Port Arthur
that a Russian battleship in the harbol
has been sunk and that the japanese
attack on the fortress is becoming
more furious. This report lacks con
irmation.
Magazine Explodes.
Toxic, Oct. 29.-It is reported that the
Japanese opened a desperate general at
tack on the eastern forts of the Keekwar
group, north of Port Arthur, during tht
morning of October rs and silenced the
Russian batteries. A shell exploded thu
Russian magazines. simultaneously
the Japanese attacked the forts OF
Rihlung mountain and Straightforward
mountain, silenced the Russian bat
teries and stormed and occupied the
forts in front of these mountains. On
the night of October rs there was a con.
~flagration in old Port Arthur, and on
October % a shell hit the Russian battle
ship Sevastopol and two Russian
steamers were sunk. Official contirma-
ton of the above is lacking, but the re-
ports are believed to be true.
Anxiety in st. Petersburg.
st. Petersburg, Oct. 29.-Alarmist re-
ports from foreign sources Of
the alleged critical situation OF
the Port Arthur garrison and OF
a renewal of the Japanese attack
upon that stronghold have created con-
siderable popular anxiety here, over the
fate of the fortress, which, it must be
confessed, had almost been overlooked
by the public the past few days, owing
to the absorbing interest taken in the
North sea complications. The govern
ment simply states that it is without d.
rect advices, though it realizes that the
situation in the fortress must be grow
ing daily more difficult. However, it
maintains the firm belief that the garri-
son will be able to hold out.
Death Before Surrender.
Shanghai, Oct. ga private letter
from Port Arthur dated October Il, re-
ceived here Friday, says:
Gen. Stoessel wired the Russian en-
peror and court recently: 4 now bid
you all good-by forever. Port Arthur is
my grave
Gen. Stoessel has instilled the gar
rison of the beleaguered fortress With
the spirit that to court a glorious death
is preferable to capitulation. The jap
anese shells are inflicting great dam
age to the Russian fleet in the harbor,
and to the Notifications. 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 being sunk. Provisions are
scarce. Only timed meats being
left, the soldiers hold gala feasts on
horses killed by the shells.
Conditions Desperate.
"Gen. Simonoff, it is said, would sur
render, but is overruled by Gen. Stoes-
sci. Certain troops included in the gar
rison have to be closely watched at
present, for fear of desertion or treach-
cry. The field and naval hospitals are
crowded, and hygienic conditions are
becoming desperate. The bombardment
at times is so-incessant that it is impos-
sible to bury the dead to any depth.
Over half of the original garrison is
dead, wounded or sick, The besiegers
are pressing closer daily, and 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"
Japs Capture Hill.
Gen. Kuroki's Headquarters in the
Field, via Fusan, Oct. 29.-The Japanese
gave a stirring exhibition of sharp. and
determined fighting Thursday. They
drove the Russians from a high hill ten
miles east of the railroad in Gen. Kuro-
ki's front, which is important strategic
ally as a post of observation and was
the only point south Of the Shakhe river
which the Russians held. About a regi-
ment of Russians were e%ntrenched there
with five machine guns. The Japanese
rushed the Russian trenches, shot many
Russians as they were running down the
hillside and captured two machine guns.
The Japanese had 20 men killed and 80
wounded. The Russians left 80 dead OF
the field. There was h~and-to-hand
lighting when the trenches were taken.
The Russians retired across the river.
When the Japanese flag was raised over
a tower surmounting the hill the Rus
sian batteries sbowered shrapnel on 1t
for an hour, but without result.
Recaptured.
st. Petersburg, Oct. 29.-The general
staff has received the following dispatch
from Gen. Sakharoff, dated Friday:
'"The morning Of October % two of the
enemy's batteries bombarded a height
with a temple a mile and a quarter
south. of the village OF Ya~ngsingtun,
which was occupied by us as a point
of observation.
Reward offered.
Springfield, ILL.,, Oct. 29.--Gov. Yates
has issued a proclamation Offering a re-