The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-02

positions south of Shuishiying and
handed letter to our officers. The
same reached me at 9 o'clock at night.
The letter is as follows:
e Judging by the general condition
of the whole line of hostile positions
held by you I find further resistance
at Port Arthur useless and for the
purpose of preventing needless sacr1-
fice of lives propose to hold negotia-
tions with reference to capitulation.
Should you consent to the same you
discussing the order and conditions
regarding capitulation and also ap-
point a place for such commissioners
to meet the same appointed by me-
"I take this opportunity to con-
vey to your excellency assurances of
my respect. STOESSEL,
shorty after dawn today will
dispatch our bearer of a flag of truce
with the following reply addressed to
Stoessel:
:. I have the honor to reply to your
proposal to hold negotiations regard
ing the conditions and order of capit-
ulation. For this purpose 1 have ap-
pointed as commissioner Major Cen
eral Ijichi, chief of staff of our army.
He will be accompanied by some staff
officers and civil officials. They VIII
meet your commissioners January 2,
noon, at Shuishiying. The commits
sioners of both parties will be em-
powered to sign convention Tor the
capitulation without waiting for ratl-
fication and cause the same to take
immediate effect. A further reason
for such plenary powers shall be
signed by the highest officer of both
the negotiating parties and the same
shall be exchanged by the respective
commissioners.
Il avail myself of this opportunity
to convey to your exceuency aSsur-
ances of my respect. NOGI.
Fought to the Last.
Toxic, Jan. "A dispatch from
the Japanese army before Port Arthur
received at noon today says:
1.-The enemy's forces occupying
Keekwan mountain and Q fort, fol-
lowing an explosion at 1890 this
morning. opened a sudden and fierce
rife fire which suddenly stopped Our
scouts were dispatched to the scene
ana immediately afterwards found the
enemy evacuating these places Our
forces imme ediately occupied these two
forts and also the heights known as
M and M south of the forts. This
morning almost all the enemys ships,
large and small, were blown up in the
entrance and inside the harbor. Our
offensive movements have been sus-
pended pending the negotiations.
The News in Paris.
Paris, Jan. 2.-The reports of the
negotiations for the surrender of Port
Arthur came as a surprise while the
holiday celebrations were going on
and all public and private business
was suspended. The Japanese 1ega-
ton was the first to receive official
confirmation of the report that Gen
eral Stoessel had asked for terms. The
foreign office was not advised. The
Eews Travelled rapidly and was widely
discussed at the various Official and
diplomatic receptions. Franch senti-
ment generally applauds the heroic
defense of General Stoessel. but it ac-
cords recognition of the unceasing
siege of General Nogi and Admiral
Togo
The American embassy held a brill
liant reception this afternoon. where
the surrender of Port Arthur was the
prevailing topic among the official and
diplomatic guests.
Liberal Terms Expected.
Toxic, Jan. 2-It is believed here that
the Port Arthur garrison has received lib
eral terms. There is a general disposition
to be magnaniG1ous in view of the garr1-
sons marvellous defense. The public has
not been informed of the result of the
meeting of the capitulatiOn commission
ers at noon today, but it was believed
that the terms had already been agreed
upon. In military circles the opinion was
expressed that the discussion covered on
ly a few questions, including allowing the
garrison to march out carrying their
arms, permitting the garrison to return
to Russia with or without their officers
and requiring their parole not to take any
further part il the war 1t is possible
that japan will permit the entire garri-
son to return to Russia with arms upon
giving Ias1r parole.