The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-10

ST. Petersburg. Dec. lo-The final stage
of the court martial OF Lieut.. Gen.
Mikhailovitch Stoessel began in this
city today. There have been protractod
delays In taking the testimony OF
the witnesses In the Far East. but now
all this material is In order and the pro-
ceedings will 60 on rapidly.
Gen. Stoessel is accused of having sur
rendered tho fortress at Port Arthur
before he had exhausted all the resources
of defence. The punishment for this
under the Russian code is death. He is
TO be tried also on the charge OF lack
ing initiative and with having exceeded
his powers. Cen Fock and Gen. Reiss
are co-defendants with him. The first is
accused OF having conspired the surrender
OF the fortress and the second with hav-
ing executed the order of surrender
Gen. Smirnoff. Gen. Stoessel's most bitter
enemy. Is to be tried on a minor count
The court win be composed of nine
generals under the presidency of Vice
Admiral Doubassoff. IL will include Gen
Kuropatkin and others
The basis of the indictment Is prac-
dically identical with that set forth in
the secret report OF the defence of Port
Arthur made by Gen. Smirnoff, but coun-
vel for the defence have announced their
intention OF broadening the scope OF the
inquiry to bring in the conduct OF the
ministry OF war both prior TO and during
the war with Japan.
The trial is exciting intense interest In
nrmy circles. Every ticket TO the little
auditorium in the Army and Navy club
where tho hearing will be held has been
taken by army officers OF high rank.
IL Is curious coincidence that this
room In the club was the scene. some
months ago. OF the acceptance by the
minister OF war of the sword Of honor
purchased by public subscription N
France for presentation TO Gen. stoesse
in recognition OF his heroic defence q
Port Arthur. After the accusation
brought against Gen. Stoessel the con
templated inscription was changed an,
the sword was presented instead 90 tn
Russian army.
JAP OFFICERS SUMMONED.
The trial will last fortnight Ma
Tsunova OF the Japanese army. who wa
Gen Nogfs chief OF staff during IN
war as we'll as several newspaper cor
respondents. have been summoned a
witnesses. but their attendance is uncer
tain.
state OF excitement over the final hear
Ing OF his case. The doctors are AZ
prehensive OF tho effect OF the trial upo
the veteran officer who has suffered tw
paralytic strokes since the fall OF th
fortress. The general told press repre-
tcntatives yesterday that ne was very gfa,
Indeed that tho trial. after its cndles
delays. was finally coming 60 = close
Jie expects to be fully rchabilitated
The indictments against Gems Stoessol
Reiss, Fock and Smirnon are full OF side
lights on the final stages Of the sieg
OF the fortress and on the confusion
which existed I'm the direction OF the dc
Fence. Owing 20 the ambiguous position
Of Gen SmirnoY.
Nominally this general held the elio
command of the fortress. but actually b
was supplanted by Cen Stoessel VII,
was little more than the mouthplccc o.
Gen Fock
COMMANDER DEFlED.
Before communication with Por
ARTHUR was finally cut of Gen Kuro
patkin both telegraphed and Rrote 4
Gen. Stoessel instructing him 10 ham