Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-01-04
PORT ARTHUR HAS FALLEN
Japanese Finally Capture the
Russian Stronghold.
NOGI is MAGNANIMOUS.
Toxic Goes Wild with Joy on Receipt
of the News-Battleships Are
Burned

tory, IaSCluS nearly eleVen MOIlIlS anu
during which 100000 human lives were
sacrificed, Port Arthur, the Gibraltar of
the east, the stronghold which the Rus
sian government had pronounced impreg-
nable, has capltulated and is once more
/ in the power of Japan. 1t is just ten
years ago when this same Port Arthur
was taken from China.
The news of Gen. StOessefs surrender
came officially from Gen. Nogi, command
er of the japanese army at Port Ar
thur Report of the final surrender was
preceded by a cablegram from Gen. Nogl
announcing that Gen. Stoessel had writ
ten him regarding terms OF capltulatlon.
When Gen. NOgIS message was made
public and the people realized that the
end was at hand Toxic became wild with
Joy. NeWSbOyS crying extras were the
messengers who carried the news to the
holiday crowds in the streets.
Streets Are Bedlam.
The people frantically grabbed the
papers and one after the other the cry
was repeated, until the streets were a
veritable bedlam Shouts of "Banzaiv
were deafening and the enthusiasm
reached its height when daylight dockets
and aerial bombs were fired in various
parts of the city and bands and a score
Of small professions formed and surged
through the principal streets.
Though Japan has paid dearly for the
Russian fortress. this thought never
seems to enter the minds of the thou
sands and hundreds of thousands who, en-
Unused by the final grand victory, only
celebrated the glorious New Year in a
more hilarious manner.
But Gen. Nogi's message announcing
that the Russian commander had sued
for peace had no more than started the
patriotic demonstrations when additional
adviceS were received stating that the
fortress had positively surrendered, tha'
hostilities had been suspended and that
commissions from both armies were dis
cussing the terms of surrender, Toxic
was thrilled as never before and the ell
thusiasm of the people knew no bounds.
Military Honor for Stoessel
Marshal Yamagata, chief of general
staff, under orders from the Emperor,
Immediately dispatched a message to
Gen. Nogi commencing Gen. Stoessel for
his heroic defense of the fortress and his
loyalty to his country and directing that
Gen. Nogi bestow full military honor
upon his gallant adversary.
The latest message from Gen. Nogi
states that the chiefs Of staff met at
noon Of January 2 at Shushiying to dis
cuss the terms of surrender. Capt. Ijichi,
representing Gen. Nogi, and having been
given plenary power. announced at
clock, just four hours later, that salts.
factory terms had been agreed upon and
that the final surrender of Port Arthur
had been completed.
The surrender of Port Arthur is the
most dramatic climax to one of the great
est conflicts of modern times. Exhausted
by months of almost constant fighting.
decimated by disease and casualties and
hopelessly sealed in its rock fortress. the
gallant garrison has yielded to its gallant
besiegers
MagnanimouS Terms.
The terms of surrender are liberal. in
accordance with the order sent to Gen.
Nogi by the Mikado. 1t is reported that
after marching out Of the fortress with
the usual hOnorS of war, Gen. StoeSSel
and all his officers will be Immediately
conveyed to Russia on parole. The rank
and file will be eventually sent home on
undertaking not again to take any part
in the war. 1t is thought that Gen. Nog
may waive the custom of piling the sur
render of arms after the troops march
out, and allow all the soldiers to return
to Russia armed, in recognition of their
gallant defense.
Criticised for Blowing Up Ships.
Gen. Stoessel is being sharply criticized
for destroying the Russian warships, at
tempting to choke the entrance to the
harbor Of Port Arthur and dispatching
torpedo boat deStrOyerS to ChefOO, acts
which he performed subsequent to his Of
fer to surrender the fortress. The Nichi
Chi says that while Gen. Stoessel made
q gallant defense, his action in blowing
up the ships after he had offered to sur
render leaves q stain upon his military
career.
Of the destroyers sent out, four de-
strovers and four launches have reached
ChefOo, and two destroyers and q trans
port are at Tsingtau.
Battleships Burn.
Chefoo, Jan. 3.-12:15 a. m.-Advices
reaching Chefoo say that the Russian
battleships Retvizan and Poltava and the
protected cruiser Pallada caught fire
Monday morning and are still burning,
and that in the afternoon the Russians
blew up the battleship Sevastopol.
Destroyers at Chefoo.
Paris. JAN "a Chefoo dispatch to
The Temps says the officers of the Rus
sian torpedo boat destroyers which have
arrived there report that the entire town
of Port Arthur has been destroyed, in
GLIDING the hospital in the northwest Sec
ton.
Japs Repulsed.
Mookden. Jan. "a heavy cannonade
and rife fire commenced on the Russian
center early this morning and continued
during the day. 1t is reported here that
the Japanese attacked in an effort ia
break the center, but were driven bach
with great loss.
Submerged Dynamite Explodes.