The San Francisco call., 1904-12-08
ENTIRE PORT ARTHUR FLEET DOOMED
TO CERTAIN DESTRUCTION.
St.PeterSburgNOW
Realizes End
Is Near.

ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. s. 2:20
a. m.-Foreign kilograms received here
stating that the Japanese have sue
ceeded in mounting heavy guns on
203- Meter Hill are regarded as seriously
significant and have created deep de-
preston at the War Office. If the re-
ports CT the sinking of the Russian
warships in the harbor of Port Arthur
are confirmed, il destroys the last hope
of a sortie. and when the end comes
nothing remains but to sink those that
remain in deep water, to prevent them
from falling into the hands of the en-
emy.
The War Office is unable to identify
Akasaka Hill Evidently it is jap
anese name
The Importance of 203- Meter Hill to
the garrison is. evidenced by General
Stoessefs desperate efforts to recapture
it.
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. Accord
ing to a story current in high circles
here Russia efforts some time ago to
negotiate the purchase of seven Argen-
tine and Chilean warships have had a
curious SEQUEL. The two South Aneri-
can countries declined to sell the yes
sells direct to Russia, fearing the pos
sibility of being subsequently held liza
BILE to pay japan heavy damages. as
Great Britain was in the Alabama case
At that time the question of selling TO
third party as an intermediary was
discussed, and the possibility of Tur-
key playing the role was suggested
But Argentina and Chile steadfastly
declined TO entertain any proposition
without a guarantee against future
liability.
According to the story Russia then
abandoned the project, whereupon
Great Britain stepped in, Offering to
advance the money to Turkey to buy
the ships in return for certain conces-
sions which would permit Great Brit
ain to erect a second Gibraltar on the
coast of Yemen, opposite Perrin Island.
which would give Great Britain control
OF the lower entrance to the Red Sea
Negotiations between Great Britain
and Turkey along these lines are said
to be now progressing. 1t is added that
Russia is so much alarmed over the re-
port that an emissary has been dis
patched to Constantinople to investi-
gate and block the game
General Kuronatain in a telegram to
the Emperor mentions japanese at
tacks on Sinchinpu and Soudgianin,
| both of which were repulsed. and an
important OUTPOST affair on the right
wing, where the Russians routed and
bayoneted a Japanese guard.
General Sakharoff under to-day's
date reports that the Russian van
guard at the village southwark of
Laotchengulni Pass was driven ont
yesterday by the Japanese artillery
The Russians fell back on the pass
after sustaining a few casualties. The
japanese attacking force subsequently
retired toward Dapindu Mountain The
night of December 6 was quiet.
Much circumstantial evidence exists
showing that the agitation for the dis
patch of a third squadron, comprising
the Black Sea fleet, to the Far East is
inspired by Admiral Alexieff and is in
the nature of q campaign against the
Foreign Office and the Admiralty. The
| demands for the reinforcement of Vice
Admiral Rojestvensky's squadron by
the immediate dispatch of all the avail
able ships still in the Baltic is, how
ever, growing stronger daily. A high
naval authority declares that there are
three good battleshiDs ready at Iibau
and four cruisers could be made ready
quickly. while two battleships can be
fitted out in time to sail with the other
reinforcements.
The military strength of Russia is
still untouched by the present war, ac-
cording to an official report at the War
Office. OF the 764 districts in Russia
there has been thus far partial mobili-
zation in 423 districts, and in seventy