BELEAGUERED PORT ARTHUR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 193, 19 August 1904, Page 3

BELEAGUERED PORT ARTHUR.

SITUATION BECOMING ACUTE. WARSHIPS DRIVEN OUT. LONDON, August 17. Yesterday's sortie by the Retviz ft n Pohiada, Peresviet, Poltava. and Diana was due to the Japanese occupying* ; an important position on • the land side of Port Arthur. They intended to refuge in a neutral port, but shrunk from facing the large Japanese fleet. Apparently trustworthy reports declare that the Russians in Port Arthur are eating horses. BISIEGERS STILL CLOSING IN. AK ALL-NIGHT BOMBARDMENT ON TUESDAY, (Received August 18, 9.29 p.m.) August 18. The Japanese right wing is in the vicinity of Pigeon Bay, and their centre (which was at Pa-ling-chdng, two miles north of Port Arthur) is now pushed further south. The steamer Decama has arrived at Che-foo, 'and the captain reports that he saw the bombardment proceeding tUI night on the ltith. Shells were visible during their whole course, circling comet-like from Pigeon Bay to Port Arthur. Explosions showed great splashes of fire mounting skywards. The bombardment was also continued from other points, and the Russian guns did ' not reply. MESSAGE FROM THE MIKADO. STOESSEL WILL NOT SURRENDER THE TOWN. (Received August 18, 10.50 p.m.) , LONDON, 'August 18. Major Yamaka, under a flag of truce, -delivered the Ifikaido's offer to remove non-combatants, and also his demand for the surrender of Port Arthur. The Daily Express states that General Stoessel's reply was a courteous but uncompromising refusal.