Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-12-22
HOPE HAS NOT FLED
Stoessel from Port Arthur Sends
v Cheering Word to Russia.
IJAps, HOWEVER, SEE EARLY FALL.
MAI. Kuhn, Attache of American
Army, Dispatched from Toxic to
witness Expected Entrance OF
the MikadO's Army.

the struggle for the possession OF High
hill at Port Arthur was probably the
most remarkable in the history OF the
siege of Port Arthur siege noted for
daughter. The statement Is based on
an Interview with Commander Miz-
zeneoff, executive officer Of the battle
ship Poltava up to the time the vessel
was disarmed and who, as already told,
headed the party of seven Russians
who left Port Arthur in q sailboat on
December Is and after extreme suffer-
ing while crossing in driving snow
storm arrived here December l6 bear
ing dispatches which were turned over
to the Russian consul for transmission
to st. Petersburg. There is nothing In
them to indicate that Gen. Stoessel is
without hope that the fortress will be
able to hold out.
Commander Mizzeneoff, who was
wounded in the leg during the battle
of High hill, said to the Associated
press correspondent: Since the Jap
anese, on the 28th, began their attack
on High hill, which they call 2o3-
Meter hill, the fighting has been con-
tinuous. The steep and sandy slopes
of the hill were streaked and dotted
with snow when the Japanese began
the battle, which was destined to fur
nish so many deeds of heroism that
they became commonplace. There was
so much slaughter that even Port Ar
thurs war hardened veterans shudder
at the sight. The Japanese were COM
PEELED to Chamber up the slopes OF the
hill, in many cases without firing, In
the face of one Of the most murderous
deluges ever poured from rifles and
machine guns. l was there and 1t
seemed to me that flesh and blood
would be unable to stand our fre Tor
a minute. The enemy went down in
SQUADS and companies, but always
there were others grimly coming for
ward. Their bravery was beyond
praise, as was that Of our own men.
Some times the fighting was hand to
hand. with the muzzles of the rifles
at the breasts of the contestants. the
bayonets being used as swords. The
sides Of the hill were strewn with
bodies and the snow was crimsoned
with the blood of the wounded, some
of whom had crawled into 1t, seeking
in It's GOODNESS surcease for their dying
agonies.
"The Japanese adopted curious ex-
pedient which assisted them greatly in
the third assault. They had prepared
huge piles of wood, coal and corn
stalks, which they ignited, the wind
being In the faces Of the Russians.
The resultant fire was immense and
the flames and smoke compelled the
Russians to retire. The red glare from
this fire disclosed CHASTITY picture
more Internal than ever dreamed by
Dante. The assaults thus far had cost
the Japanese easily 10000 men, while
our own were under 1000. The sides
of the hill were literally covered with
dead and wounded. The trenches were
rivulets Of blood and every visible spot
was dyed crimson"
The story >of the operations is in
tensely interesting and shows that
there has been an almost uninterrupt-
ed assault Of the most desperate char
acter from November 20 to December
10, when the Japanese, after losing
over $4,000 men, captured 2O3-Meter
hill and were able from that position
to shell the squadron in the Port Ar
thur roadstead There the official &C.
count ends, but It is explained that the
Japanese do not occupy the top Of the
hill, which is still exposed to deadly
1re from the Russian artillery.
Paying $40 "a Ton for Wood.
With Japanese Second Army, Dec.
l9.-There is a probability that there
will be a shortage Of fuel and food
among the Chinese this winter. Fire
wood is quoted at $40 per ton and food
ID selling at three times its normal
value, with the end Of the supply in
sight. The japanese are paying Chi
nese laborers treble their ordinary
wages and also are paying market
prices for all the fuel and supplies
they purchase. The cold weather con-
Iinues.
Survivors Escape to vIadivOstOk.
Shanghai, Dec. 19.-It is reported
hat Commander Pelem and others Of
he Russian torpedo boat destroyer.
Rastoropny, which was blown up by |
her crew at Chefoo November l6, have |
escaped to Vladivostok on the British |
steamer Nigretia. It is said that the |
Japanese will attempt to effect their
capture.
To witness Port Arthur's Fall.
Toxic, Dec. 1s.-Maj Kuhn. United
States army, who, was military at
ache with the japanese Second army,
las been reassigned TO witness the fall
II Port Arthur Mai. Kuhn departed
or Shinbashi Sunday.
Japs Lose Two Torpedo Boats.
Toxic, Dec. 19.-The Japanese have
ost two torpedo boats during the
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