New-York tribune., 1908-02-05
DEATH PENALTY ASKED
THE TRIAL OF STOESSEI,
Judge 1duOcate Sums Up Case
AGAINST the Generals.

s. Petersburg, Feb 4--The hnal session of the
stoessel court martial began to-day. Lieuten-
ant General Stoessel. General Fock and General
Teiss are being tried for the surrender of Port
Arthur to the japanese.
Summing UP to-day. the judge advocate de-
-nanded that the court impose the death SEN
-ancs on Stoessel Fock and Reiss-on Stoessel
g The responsible agent for the shameful sur
render Of the fortress and the cowardly ending
~ its glorious defence. and on Fock and Rei.s
ss the men who inspired and abetted him. For
General Srlirnoff. who was declared guilty of
,,o- having taken measures to prevent the sur
-a-der the judge advocate asked punishment
@ imprisonment at forced labor for four
s-s The Judge advocate admitted, however,
,bs right Of the court 20 take into considera-
-ior the former records of General Stoessel and
General Fock He alluded TO General Focks
+e-oic conduct in the battle of Shipka Pass. in
~. Rueso-TurBish war. but said that General
Feiss did not have the slightest claim to Glenn
,,,z. that he was a liar and q vainglorious
toaster-
T,,,-iDg the scathinc indictment OF the judge
s,-o-are General Gursky. which lasted for
,ea-l1 SIX hours. Generals Stoessel. Reiss and
c,i--,ofT showed many evidences Of extreme
,-,-o7,sness and depression General Stoessel
,4,e-es uneasily in his seat and flushed and
-slo5 alternately General Gursky, IN quiet
end cutting tones, tore his reputation into
s,-a5s He made no attempt to interrupt the
sneaker General Reiss, when his turn for cas-
-,.-;on came zvrung his hands in distress. while
general SnirnofT was entirely without that flip
- air Of self-confdence which ne has hitherto
...,r+si7e5 General Fock alone was not intini-
s-ss During the entire address Of the judge
s,-oca-e he Elared ferociously at his accuser
<-o-a under his bushy eyebrows
General Gursly paid the highest tribute 70 the
.ra defenders Of the fortress, several hundred
g -t,o-, were seated in the crowded courtroom
= aid = was necessary TO draw sharp dis
.,-,+;on between them and the leaders who had
,~oz,e-e5 their names with shame He found no
.,.5snt 70 show failure to punish men respon-
sible for such a surrender. The Judge advocate
S-;5icuIed the idea Of q massacre which General
srneSsel had advanced in justification OF the
surrender and said that even the civilians III
Port Arthur had no fear OF such al occurrence
TIE passions Of the early days Of the siege had
given place, he said 10 quiet fulflrnent OF duty
br Russian and japanese alike
General Reiss was accused Of disreSardins the
interests Of Russia IN the negotiations for the
surrender. and OF exaggerating the dangers OF
he situation in order further 10 terrify General
StoesseL
General Fock was charged with the premature
ersruation Of important fortifcations in order
70 impress the garrison with the necessity for
speedy surrender. The advocate general con-
cuded Is follows:
The accused must receive the most severe
penalty provided by law in order that the prin-
ci7le proclaimed II the time OF Nicholas l. that
the Russian flag. once hoisted, must never be
lowered be maintained"
Counsel for the defendants will make answer
tomorrow. N. Syrtlanof speaking first on be-
half cf General Stoessel.