The San Francisco call., 1905-01-24

garrison had reached its extremity as
a disgrace. bitterly criticizes General
Stoessel and lauds Major General Kon-
East Siberian Rifle Brigade, as the
true hero of the defense of Port
Arthur.
The admiral says that Vice Admiral
Makaroff, who commanded the Rus
sian squadron at Port Arthur and who
went down with the battleship Petro-
pavlovsk on April 13, dictated the pol
icy of inactivity on the part of the
squadron, taking the ground that 1t
would be hopeless, owing to the in
feriority of the Russian naval strength,
to engage the fleet of Vice Admiral
Togo, and that II would be unwise to
divide the force defending Port Arthur
by running ships to Vladiyostok or TO
neutral ports. The admiral admits
that bitter friction existed between the
army and navy, and intimates that
there is a possibility of inquiry into
this matter by court martial. He in
sists that the Russians destroyed their
warships at Port Arthur beyond any
possibility of salvage by the japanese.
BITTER TOWARD STOESSEL.
'I am sorry to say that from the
first General Stoessel proved to be in
capable" said the admiral Though
in full command. he never visited the
fighting positions during the lifetime
of General Kondratenko. Kondraten-
ko was not only the life of the de-
fense, but he possessed in a large
measure the quality of peacemaker.
He intervened in all cases of trouble
and always eloquently pleaded the
cause of the Emperor and the neces-
sity for defense, and these he placed
above private differences. His cease
less energy, patience and courage won
the confidence of the higher officers or
beth the army and navy, and likewise
of the common soldiers. Fortunately
for the defense, he was able in large
measure TO direct it's policy. Stoessel
left much to him, and the officers OF
the navy recognized in him the one
man capable of fusing the discordant
elements.
by day and by night General Kon-
dratenko visited every portion OF the
position and constantly risked his life.
He was our inspiration. No Russian
need be ashamed of the defense made
by the garrison while Kondratenko
lived.
SURRENDER A DISGRACE.
..It is difficult for a Russian officer
to talk about the end. 1t was worse
than mistake-lt was disgrace. The
fortress could easily have held out for
another month, as it had food and am
munition sufficient for that period, and
If Kondraterko had remained alive it
would have held out for months longer
I'm Kondratenko the garrison not
only lost leader, but the one man who
had the ability and the power, through
his tremendous earnestness, to control
Stoessel.
For nearly two weeks itNwas known
among the officers that Stoessel and his
chief of staff. Reiss, who was incom-
petent, were preparing to surrender
Through Stoessers servants the SOL
diers became aware of what was COM
ing, and, brave as they were, the
knowledge destroyed their enthusiasm.
"At council of war he three days
before capitulation, at which twenty
two of the higher Off oers of the army
and navy we're present, General Stoes-
sci represented that IL Port Arthur
were taken by assault there would be
fighting in the streets and possibly
massacre. He mentioned the women
and children of the garrison and said
he thought it was the duty of the
council to avoid such a possibility.
Notwithstanding these representations,
only three offieers-Chief of Staff Reiss
and two others-favored capitulation.
NOTE TO NoGI UNEXPECTED.
"Stoessels note to General Nogi came
without warning, and the word sur
prise inadequately expresses our con-
dition after the sentiment Of the ma
jority of the council had been ex-
pressed. What the officers said and
felt and how the men thought and be-
haved will all be known later; but
say now, and / believe. that the major
ity of the officers of the garrison will
support me. that the capitulation Of the
fortress was a disgrace to Russia.
1--WE never feared Japanese attempt
to take the forts by assault. The Rus
sian soldiers were always anxious to
and even at the last our men were con-
HUeHl VI thSiA SupciicAlty Will the
bayonet.
The Japanese behaved excellently
when they entered Port Arthur, and
there was no suggestion of disorder or
lawlessness.
II came as a prisoner to Japan be-
cause / felt 1t to be my duty to share
the destinies Of our men. 1 do not
criticize those who gave their parole.
but believe that / would be dishon-
ored if returned to Russia after do
ing so.''
REFUGEES PRAISE JAPANESE.
CHEFU, Jan. 23-Thirteen tunks.
containing 500 men, women and chill
dren, after passage of sixty hours
from Port Arthur. arrived here to-day.
The passengers were Immediately sent
on board the British steamship Muen-
chen, which has been chartered by the
Russian Government to take them
home.
All of the Russians speak highly of
the consideration shown by the jap
anese after the fortress capitulated, and
the majority Of them look upon their
long wait on the shores of Pigeon Bay,
without shelter. as being unavoidable.
The refugees say that since the first
few days following the surrender of
Port Arthur, there has practically been
no looting. the Japanese officials deal