New-York tribune., 1904-09-26
WATER SUPPLY CUT OFF.
Garisou's Main Defences Said To
Be an PenI-Thc Assaults.

4
che-Foo. Sept 25.-As a result OF the battle
before Port Arthur which began on September
70 the japanese succeeded in capturing several
important positions, and to-day the Russian
tenure Of the big forts guarding the north. north
east and northwest sides OF the town is seri-
ously threatened.
Chinese information places the Japanese losses
under three thousand for the three days fight
ing. and this comparatively small casualty list IS
due 10 the excessive care used by the japanese in
making their preparations for the advance
From Russian sources. however, there Is in
formation that the japanese losses were unusu-
ely severe. amounting TO fully three times the
number mentioned above.
Possibly the most Important capture in the
three days fighting was that Of Fort Kuropar-
kin, which, while Of minor value with regard 10
preventing the entrance into the town Of the
japanese. was constructed for the purpose Of
protecting the source Of the garrison's water
supply. The control Of this water supply is now
in the hands os the japanese.
As announced IN these dispatches, on septem-
ber 20 the hattie began before daybreak on
September 70 Al this hour the citizens and
the garrison Of Port Arthur after the enjoyment
OF weeks OF comparative security. awoke to the
thunderous reports Of artillery along the line
extending from the vest of Itse Hills 10 Rih-
lung and Kikwan Hills This was only pref
see 10 the assault which was destined to re-
suit in the capture of three new and impor-
tent Russian positions together with six small
hut annoying forts lying between shu-shi-Yen
and Rihlung- Shan.
During the day and night Of the 18th and un-
II noon Of the 20th The bombardment continued
without cessation. and the many shells falling
ir'ra quarters which previously had been silent
made it obvious that the japanese had At last
succeeded either in mounting many heavy guns
IN new positions or in strengthening their old
positions The infantry fighting during this
period WAS comparatively trivial
II noon on September 20 the Japanese right
ana centre. the former being to the west and
tne latter TO the east Of the railroad, began the
advance. The troops made use Of the trenches
snd lnifequent natural cover that lay in their
way The small forts to the south Of shu-shi-
Yen resisted this advance only short time
their garrisons not being strong numerically,
since The beginning Of the bombardment the
si'inerN nre from Fort Kuropatkin had been
growing steadily weaker, and. It having become
apparent that il had been practically silenced,
'he japanese assaulted the fort. Fort Kuronat-
MN Is situated 70 the south OF PaIi-Chwane and
70 me northeast of the parade ground on a low
'i'| derives it's name from the time when
GENERAL kuropatkin inspected it. pointed ont
weakness of the position and ordered that
'e strengthened as far as possible hAca,,se
ne necessity OF protecting the water s,rr,,,
Although situated in the chain 90 ,,,.,-
OH A1Topatkin never has been as stronu -
''s DINERS and after severe fighting # ,.n ,n.o
me hands Of the japanese. This caDt,,r. -
i"F'her The security Of the fort on pn,,.,~~
mountain which is now threatened from, -,
quarter as well as from Pal-cbwa,o
Al O'Clock in the afternoon o, N. oo.,
'@"ese captured supplementary fort which
nom 'Ae lower ground threatens the TO-.
Ss-ClaH. This ended the heavy agb,ina ..
- 11S although the japanese later were com
ps"so 10 resist several sorties.
Dufihs 'he night The heavy bombareue,t Of
russia" positions continued. the JaDsne-.
De'hs directed with particular v,oo- on.,-..
'ieF supplementary fort 1900 vsr0. :. -.
n.vs,.. IS lori On ltse-shan. and regarded as
Fa'y important because 0, is ho.r,s- 19
use ana Aptas forts. '''S O' 'He
slt.on unpere,r,,,, aa'"'s pounded thisNpO-
''''S 1,ltl rs Gre had sIaekened
Continued On thira