Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-04

tents, excepting private property. shah be left lin their present. positions, and the commissioners of the Russian and l Japanese armies shall decide upon the method of their transference. The Japanese army, considering the gallant resistance offered by the Rus | sian army as being honorable, will per l init the officers of the Russian army and navy, as well as officers belonging thereto to carry swords and to take with them private property directly necessary for the maintenance of life. The previously mentioned officers. off cials and volunteers who will sign a written parole pledging that they will not take mp arms and in nOwise take action contrary to the interests of the Japanese army until the close of the war will receive the consent of the Jap anese army to return to their country. Noncommissioned officers and pri- 1 yates of both army and navy and vol 1 unteers shall wear their uniforms and, taking portable tents and necessary
 
 their respective officers. shall assemble at such places as may be indicated by i the Japanese army.
 Privates and noncommissiOned off cers of the garrison to the number of 10000 will be taken to Japan as pris- oners of war.
 A dispatch from headquarters of the Japanese third army says that at the conference held between the commits sioners of General Stoessel and Gen l eral Nogi the terms of surrender were agreed upon under which the Russian officers, both civil and military, will march out, the military with arms. The officers are granted full liberty l after giving promises not to take fur ther part in the war.
 l The surrendered fortress was formal ly handed over to the Japanese yester- day. The prisoners marched out this morning. The opposing troops are fra ternizing.
 A Mukden report says that general engagement between the forces of Gen eral Kuropatkin and Marshal Oyama has begun south of the Russian lines near that place.
 A Chefu report says that General Stoessel. despite his determination not to surrender Port Arthur long ago. realized the gravity of the situation fol- lowing the capture of Two Hundred and Three Meter hill.
 l He asked St. Petersburg some weeks ago what was the prospects of the ar rival of the Russian second Pacific squadron and also General Kuropatkin when he might expect relief from the Manchurian army. Both messages stated that after another month Port Arthur's last defender would have fallen.
 St Petersburg gave the required in formation and stated to General Stoes- sel that he had won the confidence of the government, and that whatever he l did would be accepted as being for the best. r'e',asss. ss E. a Y. sst;l '. i r General Kuropatkin answered to the effect that he had his hands full and was not able to promise early relief. It is highly probable that these tid- ings brought to General Stoessel weigh ed materially with him when he ac- quiesced in the wishes of his generals and surrendered the fortress.
 At Tokyo last night the surrender of Port Arthur was celebrated by a Ian tern procession and a general illuInina- ton. The Japanese diet will formally express the thanks of the nation to General Nogi for his conduct of the siege.
 Among Russian officials here there is feeling that any proposals of peace 1 that may be made must be with the fact in view that in order that peace must be lasting Japan must recognize Russia's right to free transit of its ships through waters of the far east High Japanese officials declare that there is no probability of advances coming from their government looking toward peace negotiations and the tone of Russian statesmen is not such as to justify any nation fin making tender of { good offices.
 . It is learned that when General St0es- sel wrote to General Nogi regarding the surrender of the fortress he sa:.'.
 "I have 5000 men in the forts. an,l 5000 of these are able to fight If you do not accept my proposal these men will die fighting. but 1t will cost you three times their number to kill them."
 During the siege 265 per cent of the garrison was put out of action. This remarkable fact was due to wounded men returning to the front. Cases have been recorded where men have gone to hospitals four times. returning con- valescent to the forts.
 1 The number of officers killed was proportionately greater than in any battle known in history. This was due to the frequent letharcic condition of the men. who. without food and with i out sleep. moved only when ordered by | their officers.
 The Russians estimate that the talk ! ing of the fortress has cost Japan s1OO. .OoO.OOO.