Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-02
The Siege of Port Arthur.

Although long expected and in a measure
discounted by the events of the past few
months. the news of the fall of Port Arthur
gives great pleasure to the friends of Japan
and corresponding chagrin to the partisans
of Russia. For however foregone con-
clusion this event will have a material
effec; upon the future conduct of the war.
l. will release large and thoroughly sea-
soned army for participation in the north
ern land campaign, and 1t absolutely frees
the Japanese navy from the task of block
aiding the harbor and enables it to proceed
with offensive operations against the on
coming Baltic sea- feet of Russia.
Furthermore. the elimination of the siege
is a distinct triumph for Japan, and will
have a greatly heartening effect upon that
country's forces in the field.
With the first demonstration of a super
ior Japanese naval capacity In the opening
stroke of the war, February 8. 1904 came
the assurance that Port Arthur must be
strengthened to the point of successful re-
sistance from the land side. Kurokis mas
terly campaign in Korea and the throwing
of a powerful Japanese army across the
line between Port Arthur and the northern
Russian base marked a second stage of the
process. But probably hope remained
strong with the Russians until the land
fighting of May 1921. when the Japanese
captured Nanshan hill after one Of the
most costly and brilliant assaults of mod
ern warfare, and drove General Stoessel
back into the circle of forts comprising the
real defenses of Port Arthur. There re-
manned, to be sure, a faint expectation that
General Stackelberg might break through
the Japanese line and succor the belea-
guered defenders. But the fighting of June
14-16. comprising the battles of Vafangow
and Telssu, where Stackelberg was rolled
back upon Kuropatkin's main army, cut
off all chance of relieving the city.
The fighting relating to the siege of Port
Arthur that followed these Russian re-
verses has been of a most desperate char
acter. The Notifications. making the full
est use of the natural advantages of the
country Immediately back of Port Arthur.
had been built with skill and were defended
with the utmost bravery and desperation.
The Japanese proceeded along two lines
tactically, advancing by grand assaults and
mining alternately. They have achieved
remarkable results in the latter effort,
some of their sapping and tunnelng being
of the highest order. The magnificent in
trepidity Wa which they have flung them
selves forward at the word of command to
storm steep heights and heavily armed
ton of the world
But none the. less has the world felt keen
ly appreciative of the stubborn resistance
of Stoessel and his rapidly diminishing
force. While deploring the prolongation of
the siege, with its frightful sacrifice of life.
the people of all races and lands have join
ed in chorus of praise for the gallant Rus
SLAMS who have been defending their flag to
the very end of their resources
The climax came with the capture by ia
pan of the ''203-Meter'' hill, or high hill"
The appalling cost of this maneuver was in
terms of the whole siege, justified by the
results. From this vantage point the Japa-
nese poured a blasting. destructive fire into
the city, sinking the Russian ships one by
one with the precision of target practice in
time of peace. With this hill occupied by
heavy Japanese guns the end was FASTENED.
The latest operations have formed rapid
succession of advances, until on the eve of
the surrender the Russian positions were all
dominated by Japanese guns and further
resistance would be useless.
From beginning to end this remarkable
Siege. ranking with the longest in history
and by reason of the greater destructive
ness of modern guns, one of the most cost
ly in proportion to the numbers engaged
has been a stupendous performance on the
part of the japanese, demonstrating most
effectively their great ability as tactieians
as assailants, as engineers, as artillerists
and sailors Whatever may be the mill
tary effect upon the Russian campaign the
capture of Port Arthur will stand as
complete proof to the world that Japan is
a great military power.