Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1905-01-13
THE noted GENERALS MEET
GENERALS NoGI AND SToESSEL
SHAKE HANDS.

Iivered Message From Russian En-
peror-Russian Officers Allowed to
Wear Their Swords.
The meeting of Generals Nogi and
Stoessel was as undramatic as the
conclusion of the siege. It had pre-
viously been arranged to take place
in the single unchanged house in
the village of Shuishi. This house
was q miserable howell called Plum
Tree cottage.
Through a misunderstanding Cen
eral Stossel rode out from Port Arthur
at 10 o'clock accompanied by Colonel
Reiss and two staff officers. to the
Japanese lines and missed the Jap
anese officers delegated to escort him
to the meeting place. The general
rode there without an escort and was
received by junior officer who hap
pened to be on the spot. The latter
telephoned to Nogi. who hurried his
departure from headquarters and
arrived at II O'Clock, accompanied
by Major General Ijichi. his chief
of staff, and Colonies Yasuzara, Mat
sudaira and Watanabe, staff officers,
and M.Kawaskarin, secretary of the
foreign Office at Toxic.
General Stoessel is q large man of
heavy appearance and looks like a
good fighter.
When Nogi, looking careworn, en-
tered the compound of the cottage,
the two generals cordially shook hands,
and Nogi, through an interpreter,
expressed his pleasure at meeting q
general who had fought SO bravely
and calamity for his emperor and
country. General Stoessel thanked
General Nogi for the pleasure of meet
ing the hero and the commander Of
the victorious army.
General Nogi explained that he had
received message from his emperor
asking that the greatest consideration
be shown to General Stoessel and his
officers in appreciation of their splen-
did loyalty to their emperor and
country. Because of that wish, he
added, the Russian officers would be
allowed to wear their swords. General
Stossel expressed his gratitude to the
Japanese emperor for thus saving the
honor of his (Stoessel's) family. and
said his descendants would appreciate
the thoughtful kindness of the Emper-
or of japan.
Stoessel Thanks Nogi.
The general also expressed the
gratitude of his officers and thanked
Nogi for sending the message from
Stoessel to Emperor Nicholas and
transmitting his majesty's reply, which
read:
81 allow each officer to profit by the
reserved privilege to return to Russia
under the obligation not to take further
part in the present war or share in
the distinctions thereof.
81 thank you and your brave men
of the garrison for the gallant de-
fense."
Both generals then mutually praised
each other and their officers for their
bravery.
The conversation afterwards turned
on the explosion of mines at Sungshu
mountain fort. General Stoessel said
the entire garrison of the fort was
killed or made prisoners.
Praise Of Artillery Practice.
The Russian commander greatly
praised the Japanese artillery practice,
especially the concentrated fire instan-
taneous with the explosion of the Sung
shu mine. The gallant deeds Of the
Japanese infantry, General Stoessel
added, spoke for themselves. It was
impossible to exaggerate their good
qualities. The skillful work of the
engineers had also won his admiration.
Continuing, General Stoessel said he
had heard that Gen. Nogi had lost both
his sons and praised his loyalty In
thus sacrificing his SONS, who had
died fighting for their emperor and
country.
General Nogi smilingly replied:
zone of my sons gave his life at
Nanshan and the other at 203 Meter
hill. Both of these positions were OF
the greatest importance to the Japa.
nese army. 1 am glad that the sacri
fee of my sons lives had been in the
capture of such important positions
as feel the sacrifices were not made
in vain. Their lives were nothing com
pared to the objects sought"
Gives Away Favorite Horse.
General Stoessel then asked per
mission to present his charger tt
General Nogi as token of his ap
probation and admiration. Genera
Nogi expressed his thanks, but sale
he could not accept the horse, but h,
continued that he would accept it fo
u