The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-01
LEFT HEAPS OF DEAD.
Russian Losses Are Reported to
Have Been Enormous.
News of Victory Received With
Rejoicing at Toxic.
Recruits Rush to Join Ranks of
the COuntry's Defenders.

OIncldl dIl1OuncemepI comes from
Toxic today that the Japanese have
occupied the summit of 2O3 Metre
hill. This important position has been
the object of severe and continuous
fighting and cable reports from time
to time have indicated that many men
have been sacrificed in the effort to
capture it. 2O3 Metre hill is a domi-
mating height in the range which lies
to the westward OF the town of Port
Arthur, and according to reports it
commands artillery range of the har-
Dor and portion of the main town.
Its approximate distance from the
citadel, or main defenses, is three to
four miles.
Reports from both Toxic and st.
Petersburg indicate that isolated en-
gagements of a more or less severe
nature are occurring along the front
of the NIanchurian armies, but it is not
apparent that the main forces are
engaged.
Toxic, Dec. 1.-The imperial army
headquarters announce that the Japa-
nese troops besieging Port Arthur, are
in possession of 203 Metre hill. The fol-
lowing dispatch has been given out:
THE army commenced a lombard
nent against 203 Metre hill at dawn
November so and made several charges
before o'clock in the afternoon. Owing
TO the enemy's stubborn resistance the
charges failed. At o'clock in the af-
ternoon our force advanced against the
southeastern portion of the hill made a
fierce charge and reached within 80
meters Of the S11r77y1sft A OsoIooIr V1rif,
-reinforcements we charged to the top
which was occupied by our force.
Against the northeastern part of the
hill we also charged and at 8 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 not time to
investigate further
General Nogi's telegram announcing
the stOrming and capture of 203 Metre
hill was received with cheers by the
japanese 1t revives the hope of an ear
ly capture of Port Arthur proper The
people have never despaired of the sue
cess of the besiegers, but the fortitude
of the defenders and the prolongation
of the siege which exceeds by months
the most liberal preliminary estimate of
the time required to accomplish the re-
duction of this stronghold has been a
source of deep regret, combined with
the loss of life and disappointments
over the fact that the siege has occu-
pied such large force of men, de-
creasing Field Marshal Oyamas
strength at a time when he needed ev-
cry available man.
Today was the day set under the con-
scriptiOn act when recruits could join
the army. Cheered by the news from
Nogi. thousands of recruits throughout
the empire marched to barracks and
donned uniforms for the first time. Fol
lowing an hOnored custom, the relatives
of the recruits carrying flags and ban
ners, escorted the new soldiers to their
barracks. In Toxic today here have
been scores of little professions escort
ing detachments of popular conscripts.
The number of men who have Joined
the colors today under the conscription
act has not been made public.
Beginning of the End.
st. Petersburg, Dec. 1.-The war
Office here is not yet prepared to ac-
fore Port Arthur have taken 2O3
metre hill, but if it is officially con-
drmed the war Office admits that it
will be desperate blow for the gal
liant defenders of the fortress. The
position commands the harbor and if
the japanese can mount siege guns on
its summit they can force out the Rus
sian squadron or destroy it at it's
supporting plans of the forts think it
is by no means certain that even
though the Russians are forced to i
retire from 2O3 metre hill the Jap
anese can place in position heavy guns
against the fire which the other forts /
can bring to bear on it. Still the |
war Office officials reluctantly agree !
that such a breech in the chain rem !
ders the position extremely critical
and although the garrison might be |
able to hold out in the Golden Hill, /
Tigers Tail and Liaoti forts for some /
time, it may mark the beginning of
the end.
The war office is convinced that with /
the approach of the Russian second /
Pacific squadron, the Japanese con- 1
sidered that the elimination of the /
Port Arthur squadron as a fighting 4
factor was absolutely vital, thus ac- |
counting for the reckless sacrifice of /
life in order to secure a position di- |
rectly commanding the harbor.
Russians Repulsed-
Toxic Dec 1.-Msnchurian head
quarters reports as follows:
AT midnight yesterday body of !
the enemy's infantry attacked Machu- /
anantzu mountain. Our noncommis- |
stoned officers picket there repulsed 4
them
japanese scouts dispatched to Liu-
changtun encountered and repulsed a l
body of the enemy and succeeded in !
discharging the duties required of /
them.
"A japanese force in the neighbor-,
hood of Haienchuang reports that