The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-12-21
WITH THE JAP ARMY
William Firth Gives an UncoIored
Account of His Experiences
In the Late War.
Was Present at the Fall of Port
Arthur and the Battle
of Mukden.

AS promised, VIM. Firth has furn-
ished us with an account of his ad-
ventures from the time he left Prince
ton in February, 1904, until his return
a fortnight ago. He passed the
greater portion of that time as line
man in the Japanese army, and this
work of course necessitated his being
at the front almost continuously, as
mine and telegraph wires had to be
strung, and barbed acknowledgements cut
that the army might proceed. The
story of his experiences as related by
himself, devoid of all coloring, is
as follows: IS
THE STORY.
,"Leaving Princeton in February,
1904, I proceeded to Baltimore and
arrived there in time to see the big
fire. Having a friend in Baltimore, I
made that city my headquarters. On
the second day after, my arrival L
made trip to Washington to ascer-
tain whether it was possible for me to
join the Japanese army, but, upon
making application at the legation 1
was doomed to disappointment, being
informed that it was impossible for
me to join the Mikado's army unless
[ did so as a nurse. I was determined,
however,, to accomplish my end by
some means. So returned to Balti-
more and purchased ticket for Liver
pool. In Liverpool I succeeded in en-
listing, but how I accomplished my
purpose 1 do not care to relate. I re-
manned in England but short time.
and, with a few Britishers bent upon
the same mission as myself, we were
shipped to Japan. Drafts were being
hurried off to the front daily and 7
was soon transported to Pitzewo,
north of Port Arthur, where I joined
General Oku's army and took part in
the battle which resulted in the cap
ture of Nanshan Hill. The Russians
at this place were protected by barbed
wire entanglements and scores of hid
den mines. It was truly a case of
walking upon dangerous ground. Be-
sides this the enemy IS powerful search
lights we're continually in use at night.
So you can imagine what the Japs
we're up against, but they captured
Nanshan Hill just the same.
General Nogi then arrived and
70 nj IN
whilst I, with General Oku's army,
went to join Kuroki and Nodzu to-
ward Lilo Yang, Kuropatkins' head
quarters. The battle of Lilo Yang
lasted week and ended in the retreat
of Kuropatkin. The onslaught was
terrific, but the little yellow fellows
truly enjoyed it. They were afraid
of nothing and gloried in dying for
~their country. In this battle 100000
men were engaged. Here I was en-
gagged with others on some wire work,
and when finished company of about
80 of US, including sappers, telegraph
and mine engineers, were sent back to
Port Arthur to join Nogi I was glad
to return, for there was something
about Port Arthur which was grand
and fascinating to me. "-,>.-.5
"There was a tremendous amount
of work to be done at Nogi's head
quarters, such as digging trenches to-
ward the Russian lines and cutting
wire acknowledgements. In many places
the enemy had covered the ground
with fine chalk, which, when walked
over threw up clouds of dust and con-
sequently made a fine target for the
Russian guns. There were buried
mines by the hundred, some of which
exploded automatically and others
when you stepped upon and short
circuited them. There were still
others which were fired by Russian
lookout men. The searchlights from
the forts were continually in operation
at night and occasionally Russian
warships would run into the harbor
and tickle us with their MISSILES Ad-
miral Togo's ships, which were block
aiding the harbor. kept up a constant
fire upon the town.
LAS digging operations approached
the enemy's line it was discovered that
this method must be abandoned, for
we struck immense walls of rock which
it was impossible to blast in that
location. So at night we carried for
ward bags of earth and rolled rock
to provide a shelter for the infantry
when attacking. On January lst.
1905, the final rush was made, which
was, I believe, the fercest fight of the
years. war, and was called, the at
tack on 203 Metre Hill The Russian
general, Stoessel; surrendered after
this fight. and the Japs took possess
sion of what was supposed to be an
impregnable fortress.
''The town of Port Arthur was in a