New-York tribune., 1907-07-28
CHARGES AGAINST STOESsEL.
Port Arthur Generals Honored for Mythical
Battles.

A voiurninous document, containing the indict-
ment of Generals Stoessel Reuss. Fock and Smir-
noff has been published in St Petersburg Reuter-
says It Generals stoessel and FOck Of send
ing deliberately false reports about battles that
never took place. Of recommending for decorations
their friends and generals who lost battles and
of surrendering fortresses in spite Of ample means
OF resistance. All the crimes with which Generals
Stoessel. Reuss and Fock are charged are capital
ofreposa
among others. the following points, General Stoes
sci Gsregarded the orders Of the commander in
chief of the Manchurlan army 10 hand over the
command of Port Arthur to General SmiTnoff and
20 leave the army, but remained instead IN the
fortress He violated the order OF the Imperial
Viceroy, interfered with General Smirnons func-
tions and Issued counter orders regarding the de-
fensiVe works in the second and third lines Of
fortress He Furthermore made provision for
food supplies. In his report Of the action at Kin
chau he stated that he himself led the troops most
theoretically, whereas he remained IN Port Arthur
and took part in the fight. He reported General
Focks retreat as a withdrawal, carried out in
oordance with orders. On June a. 1904 he stated in
his dispatches that he had taken part in all the
gageulents whereas from February 5 to June ii the
only engagement which took place that at
Kfnchau which he was not present. With a
view TO iustifying his contemplated surrender at
Port Arthur General Stoessel notified the Gar
December 29 1904 that the Japanese were masters
Of the situation and that Port Arthur could only
hold out for few days longer as the ammunition
was running out IN point OF Iact tne erett ma
for1tv Of the Council Of War had declared for de-
tending Port Arthur to the last extremity and had
stated there was abundance Of ammunition; in ad-
diton General Stoessel consciously and unjustihaby
bestowed the order Of st. George upon General
Fock for the battle of Kinchau, which General
Fock lost and in which he displayed the grossest
incompetence. The same decoration was conferred
upon General Reuss who himself admitted that he
had done nothing to earn such an honor. General
stoessel evacuated several forts without eXhausng
every means OF defence and authorized General
Reuss sign conditions Of capitulation ignominlous
10 Russia General Stoessel did not himself share
the fate Of the garrison. nor accompany them into
captivity"
Capital punishment is provided by the Military
Code for all these crimes. The indictment charges
General Fock with being equally guilty on all
counts with General Stoessel. 1t declares that he
displayed incompetency and opposed General Stoes-
sells commands, and that he delivered a false
report regarding the battle Of Kinchau, and under
the excuse of lack Of ammunition retreated in fun
daylight causing. IN consequence, great losses TO
the troops. General Reuss IS charged with being an
accessory OF General Stoesse and General Smirnon
IS ecused Of "supineness in not putting stop TO
he conduct Of Generals StoesseI Fock and Reuss