The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-02-08
ARMY ENTERS PORT ARTHUR
One Regiment From Each Brigade
Of Japanese March In
CORRESPONDENTS INSPECT FORT

Wild Lavlessness Of Russian Soldiers
Just Prior to the Official Surrender
Procession of M:kado's Army Five
Miles LonE-Geu. Stoessei Blamed For
the Observation-Disclosures Services Held
HEADQUARTERS Of the Third Japanese
Army at Port Arthur. via Tientsin.-
The victorious Japanese army formal
" entered Port Arthur. General Nogl
with his staff entered first through the
old town and took his stand in the pub
lie square of the new town. The army
was represented by one regiment from
each brigade.
The procession, which was FIVE miles
long. was three hours passing the sa-
luting base, : after. which the troops
passed out of the city through the new
town. The correspondents then WIS.,
tied the captured city for the hrst
time.
The old town buildings were badly
smashed by shells, but in the new
town the damage was slight. All the
shipping in the harbor was badly dam
aged by shell fire, the warships oeing
practically useless, owing to the 1nJur-
les they had sustained by shells.
Proposals for the surrender OF Fort
Arthur were first made December ~
at a council Of war. General Stoessel
was in favor of surrender. but some OF
his general officers were bitterly op-
posed to it. The regimental officers
and the troops were not consulted.
The: first news they had of the sur
render was January 1 after General
Stoessel had communicated with the
Japanese.
The scenes which followed were dis
graceful. Drunken soldiers filled the
streets and refused to obey their ON
GERS. Many Of them destroyed the
guns upon the positions they had de-
Tended and came into the city-without
permission. -.
The infantry loudly protested that
the fortress had been given away.
threw their rifles and ammunition into
the harbor and proceeded to break into
warehouses and loot and drink vodka
until in a helpless condition.
It was evident that the surrender
was not necessary. as there were 3D.
600 effective men in the fortress. The
supply Of ammunition was short, but
it was not exhausted. Food was
scarce, but private stores were not
requisitioned by the military.
There is no difficulty in getting good
meals in the city even now from the
stores in private possession. A portion
Of the fortress was capable of defense
for months longer. 1t was the opinion
Of tie non-combatants at Port Arthur
that the surrender was unnecessary,
as the troops were willing and able to
fight to the bitter end. .
General StoesSel was much blamed
for what was characterized as a dis
graceful conclusion Of a splendid de-
tense, which ended with the death Of
Major-G General Kondratenko, who was
loved by the soldiers. and was the life
of the defense.
Memorial services were held in honor
of the spirits Of the Japanese dead.
D 0 the plain north Of the village Of
Shuishi, a short distance from Port
Arthur. Regiments representing q
entire Japanese army were present. .,
A shrine was erected on the crest Of
a small hill, and the troops formed a
circle around it. General Nogi and his
staff were present. Lunch was served
afterward in the open to all the officers
present. It was q splendid spectacle.