Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-02

Sunday night
| The news that {
| Port Arthur has
strait that at Id
| mander has been for
render follows uDon D.
verses. The siege began\
the firing of the first gun IN liieO
now nearly II months ago, and TIL
perhaps. tho strongest stronghold in t1S\
world was Sarrisoned by 10000 Russian
soldiers supported by a formidable fleet
of battieships, cruisers and torpedo
boats. These warships have been de-
stroyed or dispersed until but a few
torpedo boats remain in the harbOr.
The garrison, at fastest accounts had
been reduced to about 5000 men.
On Dec. 4, High (203 Metre) HILL one
Of the most commanding positions in
the series OF forts held by the Russians,
was captured by the Japanese after a
severe fight in which the loss on both
sides was enormous. 1t was from this
hill that the death blows were dealt
the warsliips that were then remaining
Ia The harbor and afterwards the jap
an"se guns were trained upon the town
ard such forts as were within range.
On Dec. II, the East keekwan fort
was taken Dy the Japanese, affOrding
them another advantageous position
from which to assail other forts in the
chain of defences. Mining and sapping
were important factors in the capture
of this position, as they were also in
the fan of Rirlung fort on Dec. 90. All
these achievements served to cut com.
mincations Between the Laiotie fort,
destined ID - .sthe last ditch" Of the
defenders. from a great part of the
chain of forts. From the hour of the
fall Of East Keekwan events have
seemed TO be Fastening to their culmi-
nation. for on Dec. 81, Sungshu noun
tain fell into the hands of the besieg-
ers aAd only a few hours later the HI
fort, another strong position, was cap
tured.
The report that the non-combatants
of Port Arthur had been accorded the
asylum behind Liaotie mountaN> may
easily have been an indication that the
japanese commander foresaw that the
surrender Of the Russians within very
brief time was assured.
Toxic, Jan. 1.-FolIowing the drama
tie capture of Sungshu mountain, Sat-
rrday morning. the japanese, today,
captured H fort and q recently con-
fort on Panlurg mountain.
which gives them possession OF the en-
tire line between Rihlung mountain and
H fort by way Of Panlung mountain.
simultaneously the extreme Japanese
right pressing south along Pigeon bay,
the heights south of Housany-
entaO.
. a telegram received here, late today,
from the besieging army says:
Part oc the center, dislodging the
enemy. occupied HI fort at z O'Clock,
this morning, and also captured a new
fort on Panlung mountain. Thus the
line between Rihlung mountain and
H fort via PanluRg mountain fell
firmly into our hands.
Part Of our right, which commenced
2 omhardment, at O'Clock, this morn
ing, and dislOdged the enemy, who re-
sisted stubbornly, firmly occupied a
height south of Housanyentao at,2
O'clock"
News OF the continuance of Japanese
successes at Port Arthur is received
with citation in Toxic. 1t is known that
the Japanese losses were comparatively
light. 1t is believed here that the Rus
sian garrison is finally reaching its
ance.
Toxic, Jan. go A. M.)-The Japan
csc stormed and captured Wantai, yes
tcrday, Sunday.