THE ABANDONED FORTRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7716, 19 January 1905, Page 3

THE ABANDONED FORTRESS.

COULD HAVE HELD OUT FOR MONTHSScathing Dennnciations. LONDON, Jan. 17. Correspondents at Port Arthur concur in tho opinion that the surrender was disgracefully premature, ami that the garrison was capable of resisting for months. The troops were Indignant, and threw their rifles and ammunition into the harbour. They looted the warehouses and refused to obey their officers. Disgraceful scenes ensued. Reutcr's correspondent with Nogi declares the surrender of Port Arthur was unnecessary. General Stoessel had 31,000 effectives. ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 17. A number of eminent citizens of . St. Petersburg 'intend presenting an ' address t 0 "the Czar representing the uselessness of tho Government con- ! tinuing the war,, which they declare t Russia is unablo to conduct success- • fullyo i THE SUNKEN WARSHIPS. SOME MAY. BE REFLOATED. LONDON, Jam. 18. The Times' Port Arthur correspondent reports that the Peresviet, ' Poltava, Pallada, and Bnyan may bo refloated at great expense. The Retvisan is hopelessly damaged, and the Pobieda is doubtful. All the turret guns were blown up before the surrender, but some secondary armaments were left intact.;