The St. Louis Republic., 1904-08-31
STOESSEL SENDS HOPEFUL MESSAGE;
JAPS FIGHT HARD AND LOSE HEAVIL Y

St Petersburg, Aug. 30-Direct news
from Lieutenant General Stoesssl, Com
mander Of the Russian military forces at
Port Arthur. up to August %. and OF IA
vorable character. has been received here
The navy, as well as the army, Will
share In the benefits OF the imperial de-
cree, published to-day. BY which the term
OF military service 70. soldiers of the Port
Arthur garrison is reduced so that every
month served from May last until the end
of the year shall count for one year Of the
full term Of service. This Is a repe tition of
what was done at the time of the siege of
Sebastopol.
General StoesseTs report says the Jap
anese attacks were repulsed till August p
with heavy loss to the attackers. He gives
no details OF the positions or Of the Rus
sian losses in men, but says the officers
suffered severely, especially the younger
ones.
LARGER RUSSIAN GUNS
PLACED OUT OF ACTION.
Some Of the larger Russian guns were
placed out OF action by the japanese bat
teries and were replaced by field pieces
The General describes the stencil from
the decaying bodies between the lines as
being horrible. He reports that the morale
Of the garrison Is excellent.
DISPATCHES from Chefoo say that the
Port Arthur Novi Krai, in its Issue OF Au-
gus. rs, speaking of the incidents Of the
siege occurring between August q and Au-
gust n. makes no mention OF any general
assault during that period. but records
several desperate attacks on the Russian
position.
The russian Consul at Chefoo says the
Noyi Krai relates only facts. but colors
them with the intention of inspiring the
garrison and inspiring the troops TO the
emulation Of heroic deeds.
Following a grand three days assault on
the defenses of Port Arthur. the japanese
rested during the daytime of August %.
At ii o'clock that night they concentrated
a strong force to attack the Zaredoutni
fort. which is strong position on the
Russian right flank.
Tho japanese made clever use Of the
available cover. creeping forward in In
dian fashion. for one hour in spite Of the
Russian rife fire. Midnight found them
properly formed within striking distance
Of the fortincations.
They made a powerful rush. but were
moved down In all Dut one quarter. Here
a body OF Japanese succeeded in entering
the fort over the dead bodies of their COM
rades. but nearly all were bayoneted inside
the fort. The remnant retreated. losing
severely as they fed. After repulsing the
enemy. the Russian troops cheered.
sEAkCHLIGHTS DISCLOSE
CHASTITY HEAPS OF DEAD.
The japanese searchlights showed ghast-
ly heaps Of dead. like magic-lantern pic
lures.
The Japanese soon were Reinforced and
recommended the attack furiously, but
again were repulsed. The Novi krai So
berry asserts that the japanese troops
were forced forward by their own shrap-
mel fire. the guns having been placed be-
hind them to prevent a retreat.
A third attempt to capture the position
also failed. and. anticipating a fourth at
tack. the Russians were re-enforced, but
the fourth attack was not made.
The Zaredoutni presented to the Japa-
mere high stone wall Of Chinese con-
struction. and the fact that one detach-