Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-11-02
NEARER TO PORT ARTHUR.
Desperate Attack on Fortress by
Japs on Sunday.
LIVES ARE SACRIFICED.
Climatic Result of Many Weary Weeks
of Trench Digging and Small
Engagements.

Shanghai, Oct. 31.-According to ad-
vices reaching Shanghai, what is conf
IDENTIFY expected by the japanese to be the
last general attack on Port Arthur was
begun October O. Further details of the
fighting on that day tell how the Japa-
nese infantry that afternoon stormed the
russian trenches on Sunshu mountain
and those on a hill in front of Rihlung
mountain, IS well as Il position on the
slope Of the latter.
Ihe Japanese marines shelled the Rus
SANS positions SO skillfully that, not
Wlthstandlng a hand to hand fight upon
the infantry on both sides, only four
japanese soldiers were killed and these
were killed by Japanese shells. The Rus
SLAMS Wre forced TO retreat
ne side Of the hill in front of Rihlung
mountain IS almost vertical. The Japa-
nese used the holes made by the shell
IRE Ior 1ootholds and succeeded in storm
ing the hui III the face of a fierce resist
ance. Within half an hour the japanese
nau aug trenches which formed a protec-
ion from the Russian shells.
The Russians bombarded the captured
positions and made several counter at
LACKS, put these were successfully re-
pulsed Dy japanese machine guns which
were pushed up the slopes.
1he entlfe japanese Gordon is drawing
closer, and terrific bonn bardment is TAX
ing place.
Chefoo, Oct. 81, $50 p. ma steam
er which has just arrived here from New
CnWang reports having heard heavy fir
ing at PorE Arthur last night and today
untl! she was OUT of earshot, indicating q
continuance of the battle which began
Oct. Il in a preliminary manner and de-
FclODpd int ho h;
oI the japanese to secure commanding
| position.
Chefoo, Oct. 31.-2 p. m.-The general
assault upon Port Arthur which began
III preliminary way on October "a, de-
veloped into fercely raging battle yes
terday, when, according to a hitherto in
IaLIDle authority, the Japanese flung
neaFy forces against the fortress in their
third attempt to secure a commanding
| position
The result of yesterdays fighting is tn
! known.
The japanese have been preparing for
ln4s assault for month. 1t is believed
that the Japanese did not expect to cap
ture the town on this occasion, but to
! accomplish another important forward
| step. This plan was adopted following
the first assault when thousands of lives
| were sacrlhced IN an attempt to swarm
over the Notifications by a mere force
| or numbers, regardless of loss
| This assault, like the previous ones,
was climatic incident Of weary weeks
OF trench digging, gun mounting and
| small engagements. In the opinion of
| experts the assault ill cease when the
japanese have secured such positions as
Will enable them to creep steadily closer
under the noses of the Russian guns. 1t
is believed that two more general as
! saultS will be necessary before the dis
lance between the beligerent lines is suf-
fcently shortened to make an attempt to
enter the main forts and make the end
| of the siege practicable.
Fight for Two Days.
| On October 24, having made every pos
! sible preparation. the japanese opened
| fire along the entire line, continuing their
daily practice OF dropping shells into the
! harbor. The Russians replied the
| sounds, as of distant thunder, telling the
inhabitants of Port Dalny that the long
expected assault on the fortress was i'm
minent. The bOmbardment continued
! furiOusly until the afternoon of October
20, when the Russian guns on the Else
mountain. Antse mountain and Rihlung
mountain became briefly silent.
! Drive Russ from Trenches.
At 4 o'clock that afternoon a regiment
of japanese swept out from behind a
recently captured hill adjacent to Rihlung
mountain ana advanced OH the Russian
trenches lying between Rihlung noun
tain and the railroad, occupying them
after hours of fighting. The Russians
stuck to their posts till the japanese were
within a few yards. both sides hurting
! hand grenades at each other
The Japanese infantry are now using
mechanical devices which enable them to
throw grenades with great accuracy and
rapidity.
Japs Climb Mountain.
In the meanwhile another body of Jan
anese assaulted the trenches on the slope
Of Rihlung mountain. The Japanese
trenches extended to certain portions Of
the slope and stopped some distance
above the extreme japanese OUTPOST.
where the ascent of Rihlung mountain
became almost perpendicular The Rus
sian trenches scanned the slope To adj
vance against them over an unbroIen
slope, which was mined. even without
Russian resistance, would have been
difficult task, but the slope had been torn
up, great holes having been blown in il
at various places by the bombardment.
and the Japanese avaied themselves Of
these indentations which offered com
bined foothold and protection against
bullets.
In the meanwhile the fire of all their
available artillery was directed against