The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-03
JAPS ARE MOVING
INTO PORT ARTHUR
Continued from First Page.

Continued from First Page.
Commander Kartow Of the Russian
torpedoboat DESTROYER Vlastni, in an
interview with the. Ass ociated Press
correspondent last night, said:
Port Arthur falls Of exhaustion-ex-
haustion not only Of ammunition but of
men.
The remnant of the garrison left had
been doing the work of heroes for five
days and five nights, but they reached
the limit of human endurance.
In the classmates Of the forts one saw
everywhere faces black with starvation,
exhaustion and nerve-strain. You spoke
to them, but they did not give answer,
only staring dumbly.
The lack of ammunition alone would
not have suggested the seeking of terms.
scant ammunition had long been common
in the fortress, and during the past month
many of the forts had nothing with
which to return the fire Of the enemy.
The Russians sat in the classmates fir
ing not more than once to the two num-
dred shots sent by the Japanese. When
the assault came they repulsed the enc
my with bayonets. But the men them
selves, having existed for three months
on reduced rations, were so worn that 1t
is marvellous they stood the final strain
so long.
e:.- Stoessel Was for Fighting.
Yesterday General Stoessel would still
fight, His wound, which was received
early in the Siege, had been bothering
him. but his determination to fight while
one man stood had not been diminished.
But we cannot fight" said his gener-
ais. "Our men cannot move. They sleep
standing. They cannot see the bayonets
at their breast. We can order, but tney
cannot obey
"Then you generals fight said Stoes-
sci, clenching his fists.
He seemed fanat1cal on the supJecc'
but finally he was brought to see reason
bv the insistence Of his subordinates.
I am sure Port Arthur would have
sought terms month ago had 1t not
been for General Stoessel, who, with
bulldog tenacity, steadily refused to per-
NIT such action to be taken. He had
told his emperor that he would never
surrender and he meant to keep his word.
The greatest loss suffered by Port Ar
thur occurred a fortnight ago, when
Major General Kondratenko was killed
Officers and men alike regarded him az
the brightest star in Port Arthur firma-
ment. When his death became known
the fall in the spirits of the soldiers
was plainly visible.
Kondratenko Death.
General Kondratenko was seated in the
casemate Of a certain fort discussing with
seven other officers the best way Of coun.
| ter mining against the Japanese, whe1
| in the casemate.
General .Nogi has taken Port Arthur
with his artillery and his tunnels. Hi
rifle bullets were seldom found to be O.
any use
We constantly endured bombardmen
fiercer than any in history. The japanese
periodically assaulted. and then, If re
pulsed; they calmly resumed their bonn
bardments.
| We who came here today do no
know the terms Of surrender suggested
by General Stoessel to General Nogi, no
the answer to them, having left Por
Arthur even before the messenger hat
been dispatched. The general impression
however, is that stoessel has proposed
that the army shall go free and that h
alone be made a prisoner. Even tina
! concession seemed to wrench out tn
sturdy old mans heart. IT,.
l. Whether or not the negotiations ter
inmate, in an agreement Of surrender !
Is certain that Port Arthur is doomed
We still have some ammunition AM
some guns on Liao-ti mountain, but tina
mountain is. not adapted for the hes
defense from the land side, and tn
Japanese would find its capture easie
than the other tasks they have attempt
ed. Tigers Tail peninsula has to
similarly viewed, and Golden Hill ha
Ebeen without ammunition for tire
months. "a s .-.s ...4.. s
Since reaching Chi-fu have seen tha
lattempts have been made to make it ap
Ipear that Stoessel alone wished to sur
render, the other generals desiring t
continue the fight. This Is a lie, and
is based solely on personal dislike 6
Stoessel. E. "a =. ia IA e.4-
! Ammunition Gave Out.
It is a simple story. Had the am
munition held out the fortress woul
have held out indefinitely. For month
we held Port Arthur by bayonets alon,
until flesh and blood could do no NOR,
4 When a man fell there was none othe
to replace. Thus the garrison ws
gradually worn down.. Two hundred an
three Meter Hill cost us alone 5000 mel
The capture Of that hill was the b.
ginning Of the end.
The Japanese artillery was excellent
| ~ served. They had 400 guns bearin
! on 20S-Meter Hill. They advanced the
trenches while the artillery was shellir
the Russians out with a shower Of met
and then occupied the Russian position
Cost Japs 10000 Men.
In personal combat the Japanese ":
greatly inferior to the Muscovite OF
Russian could take care OF three Jap,
nese. in bayonet fight, and some Of o,
soldiers have records vastly higher this