New-York tribune., 1905-01-08
NOGI MEETS STOESSEL.
Coartesies Exchanged by Victor and
Vanquished.

Headquarters Third japanese Army, in Front
OF Port Arthur Jan. s. via Tien-Tsin, Jan. o.
The meeting of General Nogi and General Stoes-
sci to-day was without any dramatic incidents
II had previously been arranged TO take place
at noon in the single undamaged house of the
village of Shuishi. This house was misera-
bic hovel called Plum Tree Cottage. Through
q misunderstanding. General Stoessel rode out
OF Port Arthur at 20 o'clock, accompanied by
Colonel Reiss and two staff officers, to the Jap
snese lines and missed the japanese officer dele
gated 10 escort him 10 the meeting place. The
general rode there without escort, and was
received by a junior officer, who happened to
be on the spot. The latter telephoned TO Gen
eral Nogi who hurried his departure from head
quarters, and arrived at IL o'clock. accompanied
by Major General Ijichi, his chief OF staff, and
Colonels Yasuhara. Matsudaira and Watanabe,
stan officers. and NJ. KawskarIn, secretary Of
the Foreign Office at Toxic.
General Stoessel is a large man. Of heavy ap-
pearance, who looks like a good fighter.
When Nogi looking careworn, entered the
compound Of the cottage the two generals cord
tally shook hands, and Nogi, through in
.terpreter, expressed his pleasure at meeting q
general who had fought so bravely and gallant
ly for his Emperor ard country.
General Stoessel thanked General Nogi for the
pleasure Of meeting the commander of the VIC
torious army.
General Nogi explained that he had received
q message from his Emperor asking that the
greatest consideration be shown TO General
6toessel and his officers. in appreciation Of their
splendid loyalty to their Emperor and country.
Because of that wish. he added, the Russian Of
ncers would be allowed 20 wear their swords
General StoesseI expressed his gratitude to the
japanese Emperor for thus saving the honor of
his (Stoessel's) family, and said his descendants
would appreciate such thoughtful kindness. He
also expressed the gratitude OF his officers. and
thanked Nogi for sending the message from
him TO Emperor Nicholas and transmitting
the Emperor's reply which read:
allow each officer TO profit by the reserved
privilege 10 return TO Russia under the obliga-
tion not to take further part in the present war.
I thank you and the brave men Of the garrison
for the gallant defence.
Both generals then mutually praised each
other and their officers for their bravery.
The conversation afterward turned on the ex-
plosion of the mine at sungshu Mountain Fort.
General Stoessel said the entire garrison OF the
fort were killed or made prisoners. The Rus
sian commander highly praised the Japanese ar
tillery practice. especially the concentrated fire
instantaneous with the explosion Of the Sung
shu mine. The gallant deeds of the japanese
infantry. General Stoessel added. spoke for
themselves. II was impossible to exaggerate
their good qualities. The skilful work Of the
engineers had also wor his admiration.
Continuing General Stoessel said he had heard
that General Nogi had lost both his sons. and
praised his loyalty In thus sacrificing his sons,
who had died lighting for their Emperor and
country.
General Nogi snlilingly replied:
One OF my sons gave his life at Nanshan and
the other at Metre Hill Both OF these po-
Eitions Of the greatest Importance TO the
Japanese army. I glad that the sacrifice Of
my sons lives was in the capture OF such I'M
portant positions as feel the sacrifices We're
not made IN vain. Their lives were nothing COM
pared TO the objects sought.
General Stoessel then asked permission to
present his horse 10 General Nogi as a token Of
his appreciation and admiration.
General Nogi expressed his thanks for the
Russian generals kindness. He could not ac-
cept the horse. he said. but. he continued, he
would accept IL for the army, he considered
that the Russian horses were the property OF
Japan, and felt he could not make General
Stoessers charger his private property. GEN.
ersl Nogl also prorased, when the horse was
handed over TO him, 10 see that IL was treated
with the greatest kindness. out OF respect for
the brave Russian general.
Thereupon General stoesseI assured General
tToyf that he admired his rigorous principles
and appreciated his point Of view
The japanese commander requested General
Stoessel 20 continue 70 occupy his residence at