Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 January 1905 — STOESSEL’S OFFER TO SURRENDER AND NOGI’S REPLY. [ARTICLE]

STOESSEL’S OFFER TO SURRENDER AND NOGI’S REPLY.

At 5 o’clock Sunday afternoon a Russian bearer of a flag of truce went into the first line of the Japanese position before Fort Arthur and handed a- letter to the Mikado’s officers, containing an offer to surrender, as follows: “Judging by the general condition of the whole line of hostile positions held by you, I find further resistance at Pori Arthur useless, and for the purpose of preventing needless sacrifice of lives, I propose to hold negotiations with reference to capitulation. "Should you consent to the same, you will please appoint commissioners for discussing the order and conditions re garding capitulation, and also appoint a place for such commissioners to meet the same appointed by me. “I take ibis opportunity to convey ti. your excellency assurances of my re speet. ts STOESSEL.”

The Japanese acceptance was returned in the following words: “I have the honor to reply to your proposal to liohl negotiations regarding the conditions and order of capitulation For this purpose I have appointed as commissioner Major General Ijiehi, chief of staff of our army. He will be nccom panied by some staff officers and civil olfi ehils. They will meet your commission ers Jan. 2, uoon, at Shuisliiying. The commissioners of both parties will bt empowered to sign a convention for tin capitulation without waiting for ratificn lion, and cause the same to take imme iliate effect. Authorization for such plenary powers shall be signed by the highest officer of both the negotiating parties, and the same shall be exchanged by tin respective commissioners. I avail my self of this opportunity to convey to your excellency assurances of my respect. “NOGI.”