The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-10

Army, in front Of Port Arthur, Janu-
ary 5th, via Tien Tsin.-Tne meeting
of General Nogi and General Stoessel
today was as undramatic as the con-
clusion of the siege. It had previously
been arranged to take place at noon
village of Shuishi. This house was
miserable hovel, called Plum Tree
Cottage. Through a misunderstand-
ing General Stoessel rode out to Port
Arthur at 10 o'clock, accompanied by
Colonel Reiss and two staff officers, to
the Japanese lines, and missed the
Japanese officer delegated to escort
him to the meeting place. The gen.
eral rode there without an escort and
was received by junior officer who
happened to be on the spot. The lat
f.ter -telephoned to- Nogi, who hurried
his departure from headquarters and
arrived at II o'clock, accompanied by
Major General Iiichi, his chief of star,
| and Colonels Yasuhura, Matsudaira
and Watanabe, staff officers, and NJ.
| Kawskarin, secretary of the foreign
at Toxic.
General Stoessel is a large man of
F.! 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, ex-
pressed his pleasure at meeting
general who had fought SO bravely
| and gallantly for his emperor and
country.
General Stoessel thanked General
Nogi for the pleasure Of meeting the
hero Of the victorious army.
General Nogi explained that he had
received a message from his emperor
asking that the greatest consideration
be shown to General Stoessel and his
officers in appreciation of their splen-
d, did loyalty to their emperor and
their country. Because of that wish,
he added, the Russian officers would
be allowed to wear their swords.
| General Stoessel expressed his graf
itude to the Japanese Emperor for
thus saving the honor of his (Stoes-
sel'si family and said his descendants
would appreciate the thoughtful kind
ness of the emperor of Japan. The
general also expressed the gratitude of
his officers and thanked Nogi for
sending the message from Stoessel to
Emperor Nicholas, and trasmitting his
majesty's reply, which read:
Il allow each officer to profit by the
reserved privilege to return to Russia
under the obligation not to take fur
-ther part in the present war Or to
share the destinies of their men. I
thank you and the brave men of the
garrison for the gallant defense
Both generals then mutually prais-
ed each other and their officers for
their bravery.
The conversation afterwards turned
on the explosion of the mine at sun
gshu mountain fort. General Stoessel
said the entire garrison of the fort
was killed or made prisoners.
The Russian commander greatly
praised the japanese artillery prac-
tice, especially the concentrated fire
instantaneous with the explosion OF
Sungshu mine The gallant deeds of
the Japanese infantry, General Stoes-
sci added. spoke FOR themselves 1t
was impossible to exaggeraIe their
good qualities. The skilful work OF
the engineers had also won his admf-
ration. Continuing, General Stoessel
said he had heard that General Nogi
had lost both his sons and praised his
loyalty in thus sacrificing his sons,
who died fighting for their er1pei or
and country. General Nogf smiliEgly
replied:
Zone of my sons gave his ,5fc at
Nanshafn and the other at 203 Metre
Hill. Both of these positions We're or
the greatest importanc. to the Iapa-
nese army ] am glad that the sacri-
flee OF nay 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.
General Stoesssl then asked perrnis-
sion 20 present his charger to General