The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1905-01-03
Continued from First Page

many circles the idea that the Baltic |
deet will go to Port Arthur now that
the fortress is practically lost, IL rldl-
culed.
Rojestvensly's squadron consists Of
Ave battlsshlps, three cruisers, the
transports Kamschatka and Anndyr |
and the hospital ship Orel. The Rus
sian dispatch boat Libau visited Tama-
tave shortly after the arrival OF the
fleet and filed dispatches. She reported !
that the feet had had heavy weather
but that the vessels were in splendid
condition and ready TO go into action
at a moments notice.
Before General Stoessel's letter ash
Ing for terms for the garrison was
sent the Russian commander withdrew
large part of his forces from the last
few forts they were holding and also
gave orders for the blowing up Of the
ships in the harbOr. Every vessel that
might be of the least use to the Jap
anese was destroyed A dispatch from
Chefu makes Captain Kartow Of the
destroyer Vlastni authority for the
statement that the destruction Of the
cruiser Bayan was completed lie
states that the Russians blew up two
Of their forts near the railway
II is understood that all h0stilitles
have ceased pending the Shushlyine
conference General Stoessel is report
ed very ill., From sources which are
believed TO be reliable word has been
received that there are $1,000 sick and
wounded in Port Arthur and that but
5000 men, most Of these cOnvalescents,
remain to man the forts.
This report is confirmed ny dispatches
from Chefu, where the Russian torpedo
boats Skory, Stratni, Nlastni. Serdity,
Smirl and Bolki and Il merchantmen
with 500 soldiers have arrived All of
these vessels left Port Arthur under
orders OF General StOessel.
Commander KartZow Of the Russian
torpedo boat destroyer Vlastni, in an
interview at Chefu 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 had
reached the limit Of human endurance.
"In the classmates of the forts one
saw everywhere faces black with star
walton, exhaustion and nerve strain.
You spoke to them. but they did not
give answer. only staring dumbly.
1.-The lack OF ammunition alone would
not have suggested the seeking OF
terms. Scant ammunition had sonl
been common In the fortress, and al
ing the past month many Of the fort
had nothing with which to ret1Grn tn
fire Of the enemy.
"The Russians sat in the 4 asemate
firing not more than once 10 the 20
shots sent by the JapaneseA When tn
assault came they repulsd1 the enem
with bayonets But the ID zen then
selves. having existed for thre(e month
on reduced rations. We're so worn tina
it is marvellous they stood the finn
strain so long.
General Stoessel would stik fgh
His wound, which was receivCH d earl
in the siege. had been bother kng hin
but his determination to fgl4t Will
one man stood had not beeis dmir
ished.
"'But we cannot fight saidt his ger
erals. our men cannot movie. The
sleep standing. They cannof see tn
bayonets at their breasts We can o.
der, but they cannot obey
"'Then you generals ffght,' sal
Stoessel, clinching his fists.
He seemed fanatical on DE subjec
but finally he was broughY to see reg
son by the inslsteaee of/hls subord
I mates Admlrals Loclin5Ry and wirer
Generals smyrnofr arY Fock and man
others, sometimes With broken voice,
urged the step which all dreaded $
long.
Il am surs/fort arthur would hay
sought ternfs mouth ago had it no
been for GdBeral Stoessel, who, wit
bulldog tenh6lty, steadily refused t.
permit such elton TO be taken. IL
had told his emperor that he woul,
never surrendeis, and he meant to keel
his word.
The greatest loss suffered by Por
Arthur occurred fortnight ago whel
Major Kondrachenk0, chief of engl
neers was killed. Officers and men alik,
regarded him as the brightest star il
Port Arthurs armament. When hi,
death became, known the fall in In,
spirits of the soldiers was plainly visi
BILE.
General Kondrachenko was seated
IN the casemnte OF a certain fort dis
Cussins with seven other officers the
best way of tountermining against the
japanese when an eleven inch shell
burst, killing everybody in the case
mate.
General Nogi has taken Port Arthur
with his artillery and his tunnels. His
rifle bullets were seldom found to he of
any use.
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