The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-01-19

tered the compound Of the cottage, the
generals cordially shook hands and
Nogi, through an Interpreter, expressed
his pleasure at meeting general who
had fought SO brayely and calamity for
his emperor and country. Gen. Stoes-
sci thanked Gen. Nogi for the pleasure
OF meeting there the hero of the vic
toriOus army.
Gen. Nogi explained that he had re-
ceived a message from his emperor
that the greatest consideration be
shown to Gen. Stoessel and his officers
in appreciation Of their splendid 10y
atty to their emperor and country. Be-
cause of that wish, he added, the Rus
sian officers would be allowed to wear
their swords.
Gen. Stoessel expressed his gratitude
to the Japanese emperor Tor this saw
ing the honor of his (Stoessels) family,
and said his descendants would appre-
ciate the thoughtful kindness OF the
emperor of Japan. The general also
| cwDresaed the gratitude of his officers
and thanH6d Cor sending the mes
sage from Gen. Stoesef aEsaeeSx
Nicholas and transmitting his majes-
tvs reply, which read:
II allow each officer to profit by the
reserved privilege to return to Russia
under the obligation not to take fur
Their part In the present war or share in
| the destinies Of their men. thank
you and the brave men of the garrison
for the gallant defense"
The generals praised each other and
| their officers for their bravery.
The conversation afterMard turned
| on the e. olosion CT the mine at Shang-,
| shu mountain fort. General StOesA
said the entire garrison Of the .foft
was killed or made prisoners
The Russian commander greatly
praised the Japanese artillery practice.
especially the concentrated FIRE which
was instantaneous with the explosion
Of the Shangshu mine. The gallant
deeds of the Japanese infantry, General
Stoessel added, spoke for themselves.
1t was impossible to exaggerate their
good qualities. The skillful work Of
| the engineers had also won admiration.
Continuing, General Stoessel said he
| had heard that General NOgi had lost
both Of his sons and praised his loyalty
| in thus sacrificing his sons who had
died lighting for their emperor and
country.
General Nogi smilingly replied: One
Of my sons gave his life at Nanshan
and the other at 203 Metre Hill. Both
l51of fEeEH~ ngsitiaAs were of the great
est importance to the JapHxfnS~arpaY,
II am glad that the sacrifice Of my
sons lives had been made in the cap
Iture of such important positions, as
feel the sacrifices were not made in
vain. Their lives were nothing COM
pared to the objects sought
General : ,oessel then asked permits
sion to present his charger to General
Nogi as a token of his appreciation
and admiration.
| General Nogi expressed thanks for
the Russian generals kindness, but
said he could not accept the horse,
but, he continued, he would accept it
for the i~-Ely, since he considered that
the Russian horses were the property
of Japan and felt he could not make
General Stoessel's charger his private
property. General Nogi also promised
that when the horse was handed over
4 to him to see that it was treated with
the greatest kindness out of respect for
the brave Russian foe.
Thereupon General Stoessel assured
General Nogi that he admired his rig
orous principles and appreciated his
point Of view.
The Japanese commander requested
General StoSsel to continue to occupy
his residence at Port Arthur until ar
. rangements were completed for the re-
turn of himself an family to Russia.
4 Referring to the -ial of the dead,
:. General Nogi said the Japanese since
) the beginning of the military opera
4 lions had always buried the Russian
dead Those found later on would be
: inferred at special spot and suit
, able memorial would be erected as a
3 tribute to the bravery of the former
foes of the Japanese.
After luncheon, at which both gen.
: erals sat together, a group photograph
!, was taken at the cottage and General
!, Stoessel remounted his charger to
show the horses good points and Eaid