Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-16
OCCUPY PORT ARTHUR
Victorious japanese Army
Formally Enter City.
IMPOSING PROCESSION
ARMY REPRESENTED BY ONE
REGIMENT FROM EACH BRIGADE.
Line Was Three Hours Passing Salut-
ing Base-Scenes Following the
Surrender-Damages.
IMPOSING PROCESSION

The advent of the victorious Jap
anese army into Port Arthur today
was the occasion for an imposing
spectacle, the procession of troops
being five miles long and requiring
three hours to pass the reviewing
stand occupied by General Nogi and
his staff.
Report of the scenes attending the
surrender indicate marked diver
sity of opinion there as to the ncces-
sity for the capitulation of the
fortress by General Stoessel.
News from the seat of war today
would indicate no likelihood of the
immediate cessation of hostilities,
since both armies are preparing icr
greater activity along the front by
large reinforcements and redoubied
efforts.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE THIRD
January IA, via Tientsin, January 16.-The
victorious Japanese army yesterday for
mally entered Port Arthur General Nogi
with his staff entered first through the old
town and took his stand in the public
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 saluting
base. after which the troops passed out of
the city through the new town. The cor
for the first 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
damaged by shell fire, the warships being
practically useless owing to the injuries
they had sustained by SHELLS.
Proposals for the surrender of Port Ar
thur were first made December % at a
council of war Gen. Stoegsel was in favor
: of surrender but some of his general Of
ficers were bitterly opposed to 1t. The regi-
mental officers and the troops were not
consulted. The first news they had of the
surrender was January 1. after Gen Stoes-
sci had communicated with the Japanese.
Disgraceful Scenes.
The scenes following the surrender We're
disgraceful. Drunken soldiers filled the
streets and refused to obey their officers.
Many of them destroyed the guns upon
the positions they had defended and came
into the city without permission. The in
fartry loudly protested that the fortress
had been given away. They threw their
rifles and ammunition into the harbor and
proceeded to break into warehouses and
loot and drink vodka until in a helpless
condition.
1t was evident that the surrender was
not necessary, as there were 81 900 effective
men in the fortress. The supply of am
munltion was short, but it was not eX-
hausted. Food vas scarce, but private
stores We're not requsitioned by the mil
itary. There is difficulty in getting good
meals in the city even now from the stores
fortress was capable of defense for months
longer.
Opinion of Non mbatants.
1t was the opinion of the non-combatants
at Port Arthur that the surrender was IN
necessary, as the troops were willing and
able 10 fight to the bitter end
Gen. StoesSel was much blamed for what
was characterized as dsgraceful conclu-
sion of a splendid defense, which ended
with the death of Major General Kondra-
tenko, who was loved by the soldiers and
was the life of the defense.
Memorial services were held today in
honor of the spirits of the Japanese dead
upon the plain north of the village of Shut
shf short distance from Port Arthur
Regiments representing the entire Japanese
army were present.
A shrine was erected on the crest of a
around it. General Nogi and his staff were
present. Lunch was served afterward in
the open to all the officers present. 1t was
a-splendid spectacle.