The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-08
STOESSEL PRAISES JhPS
FOR FIGHTING QUALITIES
Nogi Says Loss of His Two Sons Was
Nothing Compared With the At
tainment of the Objects
Sought.

Headquarters of the Third Japanese
Army, in Front of Port Arthur, January
8, via Tien Tsin.-The meeting of General
Nogl and General Stoessel was as undra-
matte as the conclusion of the siege. 1t
had been previously arranged to take
place at noon in the single undamaged
house of the village of Shuishi. This
house was a miserable hotel called Plum
Tree cottage. Through misunderstand-
ing General Stoessel rode out of Port
Arthur at 10 o'clock, accompanied by
Colonel Reiss and two staff officers, to
the Japanese lines, and missed the Japan
ese officer delegated to escort him to
the meeting place.
The geenral rode there without an es-
cort and was received by junior Of
ficer who happened to be on the spot.
The latter telephoned to General Nogi,
who hurried his departure from head
quarters and arrived at IL o'clock ac-
companied by Major-General Ijichi. his
chief of staff, and Colonels Yasuhara,
Matsudaira and Watanabe, staff officers,
and M. Kawakarin, secretary Of the for
eign office at Toxic.
General Stoessel is a large man Of
fighter.
Generals Shake Hands.
When Nogi, looking careworn, entered
the cottage, the two geenrals cordially
shook hands, and Nogi, through an inter-
prefer, expressed his pleasure at meeting
a general who had fought so bravely and
CALAMITY for his Emperor and his coun-
try.
General Stoessel thanked General Nogi
for the pleasure of meeting the hero Of
the victorious army.
General Nogi explained that he had re-
ceived a message from his Emperor ask
ing that the greatest consideration be
shown General Stoessel and his officers
In appreciation of their splendid loyalty
to their Emperor and country. Because
of that wish, he added, the Russians Of
ficers would be allowed to wear their
swords.
General Stoessel expressed his graft
tude to the Japanese Emperor for thus
saving the honor of his (Stoessers) family
and said his descendants would appre-
ciate the thoughtful kindness of the Em-
neror of Japan. The General also ex-
pressed the gratitude of his officers and
thanked Nogi for sending the message
from Stoessel to Emperor Nicholas and
transmitting his majesty's reply. which
read:
II allow each officer to profit by the
reserve privilege to return to Russia
under the obligation not to take further
part in the present war or share in the
distinctions thereof.
II thank you and the brave men Of
the garrison for the gallant defense"
Both General then mutually praised
Akt. 1s..
bravery.
The conversation afterwards turned on
the explosion of the mine at Sungshue
mountain fort General Stoessel said the
entire garrison of the fort was killed or
made prisoners.
StoesseI Praises Artillery Fire.
The Russian commanders greatly prais-
ed the Japanese artillery practice, es-
pecial1y the concentrated fire instanta-
neous with the explosion of the Sungshui
nine. The gallant deeds of the Japa-
reese Infantry. General Stoessel added,
spoke for themselves. 1t was impossible
to exaggerater their good qualities.
The skilful work of the engineers had
also won his admiration.
Continuing General Stoessel said he had
heard that Generol Nogi had lost both
his sons and praised his loyalty in thus
sacrificing his sons who had died fight
ing for their Emperor and country.
General Nogi smilingly replied:
zone of my sons gave his life at Nam
shan and the other at 203 Metre hill.
Both of these positions were of the great
est Importance to the japanese army. I
am glad that the sacrifice of my sons
had resulted in the capture of such i'm
portant positions, as I feel the sacrifices
were not made in vain. Their lives were
nothing compared to the objects sought"
-s.~..
to present his charger to General Nogi
as token of his appreciation and admir-
alton.
Could Not Accept Horse:
General Npgi pressed his thanks for
the Russia1 generals kindness, but said
that he could not accept the horse but.
h. continued, he would accept it for the
army, since he considered the Russian
horses were the property of Japan and
felt he could not make General StoesseTs s
charger his private property. General
Nogi also promised that when the horse
was handed over to him to see that it
was treated with the greatest kindness
out of respect for the brave Russian
general
Tkereupon General Stoessel assured
General Nogi that he admired his rig
orous principles and appreciated his point
os view
The Japanese commando requested
General Stoessel to continue to occupy
his residence at Port Arthur until ar
rargements were completed for the return
Of himself and family to Russia.
Referring to the burial of the dead,
General Nogi said the Japanese since the
beginning of the military operations had
always buried the Russian dead. Those
found later on would be inferred at a
special spot and a suitable memorial
would be erected as tribute to the
bravery Of the Japanese former foes.
Taken BY photographer.
After luncheon, at which 10th Generals