THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 180, 3 August 1904, Page 3

THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR.

The Garrison will not Surrender. ALLEGED JAPANESE -DISASTERS. LONDON, August 1. When summoned to surrender, the 'commander of the Port Arthur garrison wrote that it was believed a sjegu train, with Marshal Oyuma and his staff, had been sunk, with the steamers Jlitasht Mara and Sado Maru. The garrison also disbelieved that General Kuropatkin hud been defeated anywhere. The besiegers officially report that during the light on the, 27th the Russians robbed and murdered the wounded and mutilated the dead. DESTROYERS AT WORK. EXPENSIVE MEETING fFOR THE RUSSIANS. LONDON, August 1. It is officially announced that Japanese torpedo boats and two gunboats attacked a fleet of torpedoboat destroyers on the 21th in the ■bay east of llsien-siung Promontory, and ! it is believed an explosion ■of three Japanese lish-torpedoes crippled or sank three of the Russian vessels. A FORLORN HOPE. THE PORT HELD IN SPITE OF GOOD SENSE. LONDON, August 1. Anxiety to maintain a hold on Niuchwang is the real explanation of the holding of Port Arthur, despite military wisdom dictating a withdrawal to Harbin. SINKING OF THE HIPSIANG. A REPORT FROM ADMIRAL ALEXIEFF. (Received August 2, 11.r>9 p.m.) LONDON, August 2. Admiral Prince Alexiefl reports, regarding, the slinking of the Hipsiang, that she emerged without lights from Fuchan Bay, which the Japanese occupy, and disregarded ten shots from a Russian torpedo-boat. The crew then used small arms and endeavoured to escape under cover of a fog. The steamer was sunk by the torpedo boat, the passengers and crew, consisting of six Englishmen, a Russian,) and 70 Chinese, being rescued. Twelve Chinese wounded were removed to hospital. Several persons were drowned.