Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1904 — JAPANESE LOSE BIG WAR VESSEL [ARTICLE]

JAPANESE LOSE BIG WAR VESSEL

Said to Have Been Sunk By a Mine Off Port Arthur. BESIECERS MAKING PROGRESS General Nog! Ignores Stoessel and Offers Terms of Surrender to His Soldiers. Both Armies at Shakhe River Still Strengthening Their Positions and Preparing for Anoth* er Battle. London. Nov. 10.—Japan unofficially has made representations to Russia looking to peace. This action has resulted in failure and such representations, even privately are not likely to be repeated by Japan. Tokio, Nov. 10.—It is reported General Stoessel, commanding at Port Arthur, lias asked the Japanese for an armistice, the purpose of which is not stated, tis hoped here General Stoessel will capitulate before the city proper is taken. The Japanese soldiers are angT.v and inflamed on account of the alleged abuse of their wounded by the Russians. They believe they will be murdered if captured. Under these conditions it will possibly be difficult to avoid a massacre when the troops meet in the final combat.

Shanghai, Nov. 9. —It is reported in British naval circles that a Japanese man-of-war has been sunk by a mine off Port Arthur. Tokio, Nov. 9. —Unofficial news received from Port Arthur since Saturday’s report of the progress made by the besiegers indicates that the Japanese operations are proceeding satisfactorily. though slowly. Limestone formations and rocky ground interfere with the sapping. It Is now considered that the capture of Hihlung mountain and East Kekwan mountain without Antse and Etse mountains is not sufficient to force the Russians to abandon the city proper. General Nogi Offers Peace. Chef oo. Nov. 9.—The Japanese besieging Port Arthur, ignoring General Stoessel, the commander of the Russian military forces, have offered terms of surrender to the Russian soldiers, according to advices from Port Dalny’. Meanwhile the ceaseless activity of picks and spades continues. The Japanese are gradually advancing their trenches which spell inexorable fate to the watching Russians. A Russian prisoner said the troops composing the garrison of Port Arthur are in want and dispirited. They have seen the fruitlessness of the struggle. Hopeless of relief, with food scarce and medicine and hospital supplies insufficient, it was admitted a Japanese victory was ultimately inevitable. The soldiers, according to the prisoner, see no reason to prolong the resistance which brings glory to their officers, but chiefly hardship and death to them.

Only Thirty in Company. The company to which the prisoner belonged originally numbered 800 men and now totals thirty’ men. As the Japanese are sufficiently near the summits of the hills to render tunneling highly practicable, much of this work is now being done. The Russians are building counter tunnels. Whichever side finds its tunnel under the enemy’s blows up the latter’s tunnel. To prevent explosives being rolled down into their trenches the Japanese have made ranges of hillocks, of earth above the trenches. Five Russian mine sweeping steamers have been sunk by Japanese shells. Prepare for Another Battle. Tokio, Nov. 9.—Reports from the Shakhe river state that both armies are still strengthening their positions along the river and are otherwise busily preparing for another great battle. The scouts are constantly in touch and frequent outpost skirmishes occur, hut there is no likelihood of a general engagement for the present. Re-enforce-ments of Russian troops, guns, and supplies are oonstanly arriving at the front, filling the gaps caused by the crushing losses at the battle of the Shakhe.