The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-01-07
Port Arthur Taken.

| Port Arthur Takens
| AS calmin alton of one of the stub.
bornest and bloodiest sieges in the
history OF the worlds wars, the Rus
| sian stronghold of Port Arthur was
surrendered to the victorious japanese
last Sunday night, the terms OF capitu-
lation being such as usually obtain
between civilized contestants upon oc-
| casions OF this kind. The heroism oil
Gen. Stoessel and his decimated forces
received fitting recognition at the
hands Of the no less heroic Gen, Nogi
and his invincible 'little brown sol
diers, and by special command of the
Mlkado Of Japan, every courtesy and
honor compatible with the usages and
necessities OF war is being shown the
vanquished garrison by their magnan-
imous conquerors.
The struggle for possession OF Port
Arthur has been in progress seven
months, and the losses on both sides
were enormous, those Of the Japanese
being estimated at over so, 900 in killed
and wounded. The Russian casualties
were comparatively almost as heavy,
since Gen. Stoessel surrenders less
than $1,000 effective men as the rem
nant OF an army said to have COM
prised $4,000 soldiers at the beginning
of the siege, without taking into &C.
count several thousand sailors from
the warships blockaded in the harbor
who subsequently joined the garrison.
There are approximately $1,000 peo-
pie 10 Port Arthur at this time, $4,000
OF whom are soldiers and sailors. The
sick and wounded number 20, 600, and
the japanese forces are doing every
thing possible for the relief of the suf-
ferers.
When Gen. Stoessel reached the de-
cision that further resistance was fu-
tile and entailed needless sacrifice
Of life and limb, he ordered the de-
struction Of all the vessels, fortifca-
tions, buildings, and munitions Of
war that would be of value to the
enemy, hence the spoils of the
victory are not great, but the Japan
ese care little for that For the second
time in ten years they have captured
the stronghold that was considered all
but impregnable, and their expressed
determin alton to hold on to it this time
merits the approval and acquiescence
OF al men and nations who admire
va1or and love fair play. After the
gallant japanese had taken Port Ar
thur from the Chinese, European di-
plomacy interviewed to deprive the mi
kado's people of the fruits OF their
valor, but it is hardly probable that
of this International skin |
game will either be attempted or toll |
Grated.
L is yet too early to estimate the in
1uence the fall Of Port Arthur will |
exert with reference to the suspension |
Or continuance of hostilities in the far
sast, but it will not. be surpris-
ng if the new disaster to the Rus
;ian arms leads to some PROPOSE.
ion for q cessation Of hostilities
hat can be honorably entertained
'y both the contesting powers. How
'ver, advices from ST. Petersburg are
o the effect that the war party is still
q the ascendant there and it's leaders
leclare that Russia cannot listen to
my proposals for mediation or ne
rotation until victory has beer won
" her army in Manchuria. If this
pirit continues to dominate the czar's
government, the next thing il order
7ill be another defeat of Kuropatkin's
orces by those of Oyama.
The Russian Baltic squadron has
cached Tamatave, Madagascar, where
will probably remain to await rein
orcements or recall home, as the
ase may be. 1t is not strong enough
D cope with the japanese navy now
nd many months must elapse before
can be made SO.
A blockade of Vladivostock will
oubtless be undertaken by a part of
le japanese naval force lately en-
aged in similar service at Port ,
-rthur, unless negotiations for ter
linating the war intervene to prevent
lrther offensive operations. :