New-York tribune., 1911-12-30
PERSIAN CITY BES|EGED
NINE DAYS BY RUSSIANS
Tabriz Surrenders Completely to
Invaders. Both Sides Report
ing Heavy Losses.
SHELL STRIKES U. S. FLAG
Resident Foreign Population on'
hur. by Fighting-Reports OF
Atrocities by Troops De-
clared Unfounded.

combatants belonging 10 the Noho'''
..oral Progressive party (or Fidais).
large number Of casualties were sus-
tanned bv both sides. the Russians alone
,os,re from 100 to\2O0 men. while the
losses Of the Fidais were very severe d.
though the number cannot be ascer-
tained.
During the fighting an enormous
amount Of damage 10 property was dohe'
and the Stars and Stripes floating over
tha United States Consulate were shoc
down bv Russian shell. which, now
ever. did no further damage to the con-
sulate.
| No casualties were suffered by the
resident foreign population, but many
individuals suffered from lack OF pro-
visions while they were closely conhned
TO their houses during the prolonseo
street fighting.
The stories of atrocities committed by
the troops on both sides are entirely un-
founded. the mortality among the native
non -combatants being far from large
The Russians alone were the object or
the operations Of the Persians. who dis
nlsved no resentment whatever against
any other foreigners.
How Fighting Began.
A collision between patrol or the
Russian guard and the Persian consu-
tutionalists in the street during the night
of December 20 was the beginning OF
the disturbances. Two Persians were
shot dead in this affair, after which the
population showed great resentment, ana
lighting became general throughout the
city on the following morning.
The principal engagements during the
siege occurred in the neighborhood OF
the Russian Consulate around the citadel
known as The Ark" and at the Russian
camp at Baghi Shemel.
The Persians fired on the Russian
camp with small mountain artillery
sian soldiers in the camp replied by
shelling "The Ark" with shrapnel and
driving the Persians from their position.
One Of the shells struck the American
flag flying at the consulate, which Is
situated near 1.-The Ark" and the staff
fell on the roof with crash, but no
further damage was done.
On the following day there was des-
perate fighting in the streets, the rife
and Maxim firing being continuous. On
the same day the Persians made night
attack on the Russian camp, TO which
the Russians at first did not reply.
awaiting the closer approach OF the as
sailants. Finally the Russian troops
orened fire, repulsing the Persians with
heavy loss.
The Russian positions. both In the
camp and at the Russian Consulate.
were at that time evidently In A pre-
carious state. All communication be-
tween the camp and the Russian Con-
sulate was completely cut off for several
days.
Russians at Julia.
The first detachment of Russian re-
Inducements from Julia, consisting OF
eight hundred men, with four guns. ar
rived in the outskirts of the city on the
night of December 26. They had made
forced march of forty-eight hours
from their camp at Julia, eighty miles
from Tabriz.
On the following morning, without
establishing previous communication
u,ith the Russian camp or consulate,
they shelled various quarters OF the city
,ndiscriminately. doing. however. little
damaee but impressing the Persians
with the hopelessness Of continuing their
resistance.
ThA citadel. after being shelled from
the camp. was evacuated by the Per
slams on the following day. and the Rus-
sian troops occupied it, raising the kus-
sian flag over THE Ark
The Persians then made futile night
attack on the camp Of the Russian rein
forcements. who responded with bonn
bardment Of the northern quarter OF the
city until midnight
Tba whole distur banCe was a complete
surprise to everybody. including the Rus
SLAMS. who it is believed. proposed TO dis
arm the Persian Fidais. expecting little
or no resistance from them.
Two of the principal leaders Of the
Eidais surrendered at village fifteen
miles to the east Of Tabriz to Shua-ed-
Dowleh, the chief Of the local rebel force
and a supporter of the ex-Shah In his
recent attempt TO regain the throne.
| Tbav are now by his order assisting the
Russian troops in the disarmament OF
the remaining Fidais and pointing out
the position of the stores OF Persian
arms and ammunition. II is reported
tba. Shus ed -Dowleh will enter the town
under Russian protection as the Gov
ernor General of the Province of Azer-
baijan.
ST Petersburg. Dec. @-The Russian
government does not contemplate the DIS
match OF further troops TO Persia. Inc
hri,adA Of sharpshooters, consisting Of four
regiments comprising about 400 men, win
fonr souadrons of Cossacks and battery
NJ artillery. are considered sufhclent 10
,,otntain order in tho city Of Tabriz. The
prss,an forces stationed in Tabriz six
u,o,,bs ago numbered 800 men. II was
rao.rtIv reduced 10 only 800 and the Persian
extremists took advantage OF this TACT 10
start disturbances.
The force OF Russian troops at present en-
camped at Kasbin, about ninety miles 10
the northwest OF Teheran. totals 1850 men
of all arms.
The attack upon the Russians which was
recently made by the Persians at Resht
about fifteen miles south Of Enzeli. on the
Casnian sea. is considered by the military
l. authorities as Of quite minor importance.
The Russian military commanders nave
been ordered by headquarters to cooperate