The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-03


Toxic, Jan. 3.-5 p. m--Some Of the
foreign diplomats here believe that
there viii be an early renewal Of efforts
looking to the securing Of peace. Out
wardly, the Japanese government gives
no indications of its desiras in that d1-
rectIon, but I is kaoWn that II is pre-
parcel to discuss the question and to
make teEms which are characterized as
reasonable.
Those who predict movement for
peace declare that the Japanese en-
perOr's cOmnendation of General StCes-
sci and the determination Of the Jap
anese to give honorable terms to the
surrendered garrison viii soften the
blow to Russia and create an opening
for the discussion of the question of
peace
The United States, Great Britain and
France are named as possible direct or
indirect Intern mediaries though it IS not
improbable that Japan viii breach the
subject direct. The fall OF Port Arthur
immensely strengthens the hand of
Japan. In the actual conduct Of the
war Port Arthur has been a stumbling
block to Japan, which for six months
has had engaged there over 100, ,Gt0
troops and practically her entire navy
This fast compelled Field Marshal
Oyama to fight the battle of Lao Yang
short handed Now the entire navy is
free to prepare to meet the Russian
second Pacific squadron and to attend
to the VladivOstok squadron A heavy
force OF troops will be Immediately
available for service in Manchuria and
this possibly will allow the undertake
ing of other independent enterprises.
Only 10000 Were Left.
St Petersburg, Jan. 3-GeneraI Stoes-
sells dispatches by way of ChefOo to
the general staff relate how the position
of the fortress of Port Arthur gradual
" became less safe and more critical.
the ravages-O of scurvy increasing enor-
mOusly. the casualty list already so
considera bic from the japanese assaults
hon, cr76
of the year the supplies of ammunition
completely gave out. there were 1000
sick and wounded IN tne hospitals and
800 fresh casualties coming in daily
The general reports that at the end Of
the siege he had only 10 00e men under
arms. the remainder of the original gar
rison having been either killed or dis
abled-
A Case of Russian .'BIuf''
ChefoO, jan $3.50 p. m.-Captain
Kartzow, commanding the Russian tor
pedo boat destroyer flotilla. which
escaped from Port Arthur and entered
the harbor of Chcfoo Monday morning.
tells a curious story of 'bluffing' by
the Russians at the beginning of the
war. when although there was plenty
of ammunition at Port Arthur, there
was none on the ships under Golden
Hill save blank cartridges used for sa-
1utes.
on three occasions when theJ Japanese
warships approached al long range the
Russians opened noisy fire with blank
ammunition. the Japanese III each in
stance retiring.
Prisoners taken by the Russians re-
lated that later after the Russian ships
had received ammunition, the japanese
learned of the ruse and were greatly
chagrined that they had not taken al
vantage of the opportunity.
'Our defense said Captain Kartzow,
''has been replete with such make
shifts"
Asks Permission for Parole
Toxic. Jan. S.-General StoesseI has
cabled the emperor of Russia asking
permission for the officers to give their
parole.
The capitulation terms indicate that
the Russian rank and file of the garri-
son of Port Arthur viii come to Japan
as prisoners.