Inside Port Arthur.

Manawatu Herald, 19 November 1904, Page 2

Inside Port Arthur.

CAN STILL HOLD OUT A COUPLE OP MO^Tffa. The Chefoo correspondent *of the “ Daily Telegraph ” wired ; «u September 21st, concerning thesitate of affairs inside Port Arthur:— 4 Two German merchants and one Cossack colonel arrived from Port Arthur to-day, after a rapid passage of three days in a junk. They succeeded in bringing mails. They left South Pigeon Bay, the northern portion being in the occupation of the Japanese. When the joftk was a few miles out, it met a .Japanese torpedo boat, but suddenly the.moon was obscured and the night , became black. Simultaneously 'a*' fyphoon started, but at daybreak the' horizon .was, clear. ■ y .y zi In the course of an interview* they stated that the past ten days bad been quiet, but intermittent shelling went on, and many Chinese and a few Europeans had batin' On September 14 th General Stoessel received an intimation from General Kuropatkiafthat be most hold out until January, when important developments in the general situation were expected. An estimate was promptly taken of the supplies, but the result is probably much over-stated. It was stated J that there was enough ammunition to last five months, and food, consisting of rice and white bread, for six months. r t ~ Preparations were being’ made, should the enemy succeed in entering the town, to make, a last stand at the Golden and Electric Hill forts, where large supplies* of ammunition. and food had been accumulated. 1 3 t'i General Stoessel recently told the people that, while there wasjaot the slightest ground for apprehension, it was only reasonable that they should be ready for the worst. Aaffie had already warned the Europeans to leave, those remaining’must be prepared to take ■ the soldiers’/ risk should the place fall, though be thought that contingency impossible, and be meant it, as far as. they were cenoerned, to be nothing, more than a memory. The arrival of a ship of about 6000 tons, laden with flour and ammunition, is confirmed. She was flying the French flag, and left Europe bound for a certain Chinese port. She passed within sighting distance of the Japanese fleet. The Russian gunboat went out to meet her, but struck a mine and sank. The crew were saved. Crowds assembled, on the wharf and cheered wildly as the 'steamer, which has been detained 'at Port Arthur, came In. There is no fresh „ meat left at Fort Arthur, 'and the refugees called for beefstakes on their arrival, and eagerly. devoured them. The garrison is. reduced . to 8000 men, and the Civil Guards have been summoned to the forts, and now receive Government rations, 3 thus relieving the pressure on the town supplies. Fifty members of? the guard, well-known men at Port Arthur, have been killed. General Stoessel has issued orders that no European shall be allowed to leave Port Arthur. He/diiscontinned the publication of tfye Novy Krai after the issue of September sth. A few ladies are’ left, in the town. The shops have Been reopened, but owing to the enrolled in the Civil Guard, there is difficulty in carrying on business, and foreigners are principally employed. ;■ ' ' * The local bicycle factory is working day and night making bicycles and ambulances. . Madame Stoessel, wife of the general, who is called the Florence Nightingale of Port Arthur, is superintending the Bed Cross arrangements, and insists upon visiting the forts during the engagements, accompanied by her husband. Boys as young as thirteen have been pressed into hospital woyk. The naval baud plays three 1 " times a week in the park. The programme consists of national and * inspiring airs, but the strains are mingled occasionally with the screams of shells overhead. Bear-Admiral Prince Ukhtomsky

is on parole, pending the Court of inquiry which is to ' vestigate his conduct. It is asserted that the fleet has been repaired, and is ready to put to sea. During the past month four Russian torpedo boats have been sunk by mines. No details of the recent naval disasters have been communicated te the public, only a bare announcement that the remaining •hips are in neutral ports! The fleet reserve men are still unemployed. The only statement which General Stoesael authorises is that the garrison’s spirits are excellent.