THE ATTACK ON PORT ARTHUR.

Manawatu Herald, 9 August 1904, Page 2

THE ATTACK ON PORT ARTHUR.

One of the Hipsang’s passengers describes the fighting on the 26th and 28fch. His information was taken chiefly from a Port Arthur newspaper, The Japanese captured Green Hill and Wolfe Hill, to the north and east of the city, but did not succeed in capturing Chrest Hill, which is now the only outpost held by the Russians.

It is reported the Japanese fired one hundred and twenty-five thousand rounds of shrapnel. A truce was declared on the night of the 28th to bury the dead. The main body of Russians are now inside the permanent forts constituting the foriress. There are 2000 guns commanding a plain which the Japanese must cross.

The Vladivostock Prize Court has liberated the Arabia with 142,500 poods of flour for Hongkong, but has confiscated the railway material and flour consigned to Japanese ports. Owing to the uncertainty as to what contraband is the Peninsula, Chinese Mutual, Steam Navigation, and Ocean Steamship Companies have decided not to take cargo to Japan. Russian placards posted at Kharbin stating the Japanese would be quickly driven into the sea have provoked Chinese derision.

It is reported in Constantinople that Russia has notified the Porte of the impending passage of the Dardanelles by several vessels of the volunteer fleet, laden with coal. Russia has given an assurance that they will preserve the character of merchantmen after the passage. THE JAPANESE ADVANCE. General Oku reports that the Japanese have occupied Niuchwang, which is 30 miles north-east of the open port of the same name. The Times’ Niuchwang correspondent reports that General Oku’s position is well restored on the high road and railway. The correspondent adds that the occupation suggests an intention to remove the Russians from the temptation to go west and violate neutral Chinese territory. Captain Bradley, of the Hipsang, fired a pistol at a torpedoer as it approached. When the Hipsang was struck the Chinese rushed the boats and the Europeans were compelled to swim before being rescued. THE RAID ON SHIPPING. The Vladivosfcock Prize* Court declares that the Knight Commander was a lawful prize. The Russians gave as a reason for the sinking of the Hipsang, that they thought she was a Japanese steamer,

as the Japanese vessels have been flying the English flag. The Daily Mail states that the Porte demands Russia’s written declaration concerning the flag to be be used and the nature of the cargo, before allowing three of the volunteer fleet to pass through the Dardanelles. It is estimated that there are 120,000 Japanese around Port Arthur. The steamer Niuehwang, from Niuchwang, conveyed to Port Arthur artillery and 65,000 shells.