The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-08
THE MEETING OF
TWO GALLANT MEN
StoesseI and Nogi Strike
Friendly Hands.
A HISTORIC INCIDENT
Nogi SmilingIy Tells Stoessel That He
Connts the Lives OF His Two Sons
lust Killed as Nothing Against
What They Accom-
plished.
(By the Associated Press

Headquarters of the Third japanese
Army in Front of PIT Arthur, Janu-
airy, 6, via Tien Tsin-The meeting Of
day was as undramatic as the con-
clusion of the siege. 1t had previ-
ously been arranged TO take place at
noon in the single unchanged house
of the village of Shuishi This house
was a miserable hovel called Plum
Tree Cottage. Through a misunder-
standing General Stoessel rode out to
Port Arthur at ten O'Clock, accom-
panied by Colonel Reiss and two staff
officers TO the Japanese lines and
missed the Japanese officer delegated
to escrt him to the meeting place.
The general rode there without an
escort and was escorted by junior
officer who happened to be on the
spot. The latter telephoned to Nogi
who hurried his departure from head
quarters and arrived at eleven o'clock
accompanied by Major Ijichi, his chief
of staff and Nj. Kawakarin, secretary
of the Foreign flee at Toxic
General Stoessel is a large man of
heavy appearance and looks like a
good fighter.
They Exchange Courtesies
When General Nogi, looking care
worn, entered the compound of the
cottage the two generals cordially
shook hands and Nogi. through an
INTERPRETER expressed his pleasure at
meeting a general who had fought so
bravely and calamity for his emperor
and country.
General Stoassel thanked General
Nogi for the pleasure of meeting the
hero of the victorious army.
L IL. 1. t.a Il
received a message from his Emperor
asking that the greatest cnsideration
be shown to General Stoessel and his
officers in apprecia ton of their splen-
did LOYALTY to their Emperor and
country Because of that wish. he
added, the Russian officers would be
allowed to wear their swrds.
General Stoessel expressed his grat-
ftude to the Japanese Emperor Tor
thus sewing the honor of his tStoes-
sels) family and said his descend
ante would appreciate the thOughtful
kindness of the Emperor of Japan
The General also expressed the graft
fude Of his officers and thanked Cen
eral Nogi for sending the message
from Stoessel to Emneror Nicholas
and transmitting His Majesty's reply
which read:
II allow each officer to profit by the
reserved privilege to return to Russia
under the obligation not take turth-
er part in the present war or TO snare
the destinies of their men.
II thank YOU and the brave men
of the garrison for the gallant de-
Tense.
Both Generals then mutually praised
each other and their officers for their
bravery.
The conversation afterwards turned
on the explosion of the mine at sung
shu mountain fort. General Stoessel
said the entire garrison of the tort
was killed or made prisoners
The Russian commander greatly
praised the JapaneSe artillery pracuc
especially the concentrated fire instan-
taneous with the explosion of Sungshu
mine. The gallant deeds of the Japa-
nese infantry, General Stoessel ADDED
spoke for themselves. 1t was impossl-
BILE to exaggerate their good qualities:
The skiifui work of the engineers had
also won his admiration.
Nooiii Lost Two SonS.
Continuing, General Soessel said he
had heard that General Nogi had lost
both of his sons and praised his loyalty
in thus sacrificing his sons who mad
died lighting for their Emperor ana
country General Nogi smilingly re-
piled:
'One of my SONS gave ms IlIe dl
Nanshan and the other at 2JS-Melre
Hill Both of these positions were OF
the greatest importance TO the Japa-
nese army. | am glad that the sac
rifice of my sons lives had been IN
the capture of such important posi-
TONS as feel the sacrifices were not
made in vain. Their lives were moth
ing compared to the objects sought.
General Stoessel then asked pefmlS-
sion to present his charger to Gen
eraI Nogi as q token of his apprecia-
ton and admiration.
General Nogi expressed his thanks
for the Russian generals kindness. but
said he could not accept the horse,
but he continued, he would accept II
for the army since he considered that
the Russian horses were the property
of Japan and felt that he could not
make General Stoessel's charger his
private property. General Nogii also
promised that when the horse was
handed over to him to one that it was
treated with the greatest kindness out
of respect for the brave Russian gem
eral.
Thereupon General StoesseI assured
General Nogii that he admired his
rigorous principles and appreciated his
point OF view.
The Japanese commander requested
that Genera! Stoessel continue 10 oc-
cupy his residence at Port Arthur un-
til arrangements We're completed for
the return OF himself and family to
Russia.
Referring to the burial Of the dead
General Nogi said the japanese since
the3 beginning Of the military oper-