Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1894 — PORT ARTHUR CAPTURED. [ARTICLE]

PORT ARTHUR CAPTURED.

The Japanese Again Victorious in An Important Engagement. The News Confirmed at WaahSngton— Practical End of the War. A London cable, Nov. 24, says: A dispatch to the Times from Chee Foo says that Port Arthur was taken, Wednesday evening. The fighting was continuous from Tuesday noon. The Japanese fleet did not* take part in the engagement though the torpedo boats attached to the fleets did. A Shanghai dispatch to the Times confirms the- report of the capture of Port Arthur. It says that the Japanese torpedo boats distracted the forts while the droops entered the town. A later dispatch received from Shanghai asserts that twenty-three Japanese torpedo boats made a concentrated rush upon the entrance of the harbor of Port Arthur, and at the same time the Japanese land forces attacked the place from the rear, while a heavy artillery fire was poured into the Chinese forts. The Japanese infantry then stormed defense after defense. The Chinese resisted feebly. There were a few hand-to-hand fights, but finally the Chinese became panic stricken and the Japanese carried everything before them. Another dispatch from Shanghai says that the third Japanese army^sVhich.teft.Japan_onji{qy i 2o, l£ supposed to have been sent to attack Wei-Hai-Wei, where a portion of the Chinese navy remains. It adds that the place will be easily captured, as the Chinese soldiers who are encamped for its defense are deserting by the thousands. The whole place is said to be in a state of utter collapse and confusion. A Washington dispatch, Nov, 24, says: The State Department lias received a cable from\Minister Denby saying that Port Arthur fell on the22d Inst., and the Navy Department received a message from Admiral Carpenter, in command ol the Asiatic station, likewise announcing that the Japanese had captured China’s great naval post. Additional cables to the London Times, Nov. 26, give further details. A dispatch from Shanghai says that the chief stand was made at the chain of forts at Han-shin-Chang, overlooking the narrow channel leading to the inner port. Hundreds of Chinese were killed there. A Che-Foo dispatch says that Port Arthur is still burning. Twelve Japanese war ships have been seen there. The Chfnese fleet is at Wel-liai-Wei. A Shanghai dispatch to the Times states that it is reported from New Ch wang that the Chinese army commanded by Gen. Sung has been divided. One partis firmly holding Mothienling and constantly repulsing part of the first Japanese army; The other part is making a! forced march to Port Arthur to attack the Japanese there. A part of the first Japanese army Is following the Chinese on the way to Port Arthur. A dispatch boat left Ping Yang inlet this morning for Port Arthur, conveying the Japanese Emperor’s congratulations to Count Oyama and his thanks to the troops. Another dispatch from Shanghai states that steres for troops and munitions of war sufficient to withstand a two years’ siege fell into the hands of the Japs at Port Arthur. DENIED BY CHINESE. A dispatch received at London from Shanghai stales that the Chinese officials are telegraphing notices broadcast saying that the reports of the downfall of Port Aathur are falsehoods. The place,„they say, is defended by 30,000 brave soldiers.