PORT ARTHUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 190, 10 August 1904, Page 5

PORT ARTHUR.

FURTHER POSITIONS CAPTURED. DOCKS AND WARSHIPS SHELLED. WITH IMMENSE DAMAGE. RUSSIANS CLOSE TO FORTRESS. (Received 7.47 a-m.)

LONDON, August 9. Advices which, hare been received in Rome from the port of Chifu, en the Shan-tune Peninsula, state that on July 29, and the sth and 7th insts., the Japanese succeeded in capturing further position* near Fort Arthur. They proceeded to shell the town, as well as the docks and the Russian warships, and did immense damage. The name despatch states that the Japanese position en Wolf Moun- | tain now dominates the western | port. After repeated retirements the Russian trenches, it is stated, are i within a verst (1100 yards) of the fortress. j TREMENDOUS FIRING. HEARD EIGHTY MILES AW AT. LONDON, August 9. Renter's correspondent at Chifu telegraphs that on Monday at 11 p.m.. the reports of heavy guns at intervals of one minute were distinctly heard. These sounds had reached Chifu from half-past ten o'clock. Chifu is eighty miles in a direct line from Port ArUiur. SEVERE NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS. JAPANESE CRUISER SUNK. TWO WARSHIPS DAMAGED. ATTACK ON JAPANESE LAND POSITION. LONDON, August 9. On July 26 the Russian warships left Port Arthur te bombard the enemy's position, and -were attacked by the Japanese battleship Chinyen and the cruisers Chijoda, Itsukusbima, Matsushima and two others, basides thirty torpedo-boats. An eight-inch shell from the Russian cruiser Bayan burst at the stern of the Itsukushima and disabled her, whereupon all the Japanese steered for the open sea. A Russian mine damaged the Chijoda, and she sank by the head, and was steered into Talienwan Bay. A land battery damaged a Japanese gunboat. In view of the Japanese making, on the 27th, a general offensive attack against the land positions, the Bayan, Retvisam, Pallada, Askold,

No - Ik and two coast ships, the gunboat Giljak and twelve torpedoboats, under Rear-Admiral Leshiiisky, -were ordered, at General Stoessel's request, to support the right flank. Preceded by a mine dredger they steamed towards Lungwangtang and bombarded the Japanese position. On returning a mine exploded under the dredger.

The Itsukushima is a protected cruiser of an unusual type, resembling the Matusbima, also mentioned as taking part in this fight. Both are of 4277 tons displacement and 16.7 knots speed, and were built at La Seine, France, in 1889-90. They have armoured decks 1_ inches thick, with a cellulose belt for further protection, and five inches of steel over the engines. The chief feature of their armament is an enormous Canel gun, 12}inch calibre, 66 tons in weight, which fires a 9901b shell, with a muzzle energy of 35,200 tons. In the Itsukushima this gun is mounted on the forward deck, ,so that it was not injured by the shell which carried away her steering gear. In addition to this monster these cruisers carry a battery of 11 or 12 4.7-inch quick-firers broadside, and they have four torpedo tubes above wates. There are no other vessels in the world armed in the same fashion, and their fighting value has always been regarded as somewhat problematical, chiefly owing to the slight protection afforded by the deck armour.

I The Chijoda, 2450 tons, 19 knots, was built on the Clyde in 1889. She has a | belt of steel, and one inch of steel on her deck, but on account of her age is j ranked only as a protected, not an armoured, cruiser. She carries 10 4-inch guns, 17 smaller guns, and three torpedo tubes. It is clear that neither of these ships can be regarded as very important fighting units in the Japanese navy. FIGHT FOR WOLF HILL. A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER. TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER OF JAPANESE. FURTHER REINFORCEMENTS. LONDON, August 9. Four thousand Russians defended Wolf Hill, and many dropped their rifles and hurled rocks on the Japanese with deadly effect. Russian mines that were cleverly concealed elsewhere annihilated. two squadrons of cavalry. The Japanese finally closed with the Russians, though the ground was strewn with dead, and stormed Wolf Hill. While sixty guns were being entrenched by the Japanese in a valley near Port Arthur, the Russian guns ceaselessly harassed the sappers. Further Japanese troops have been landed at Louisa Bay. A bluejacket, disguised as a Chinese beggar, occupied a -week in traversing the Japanese lines and bringing General Stoessel's and the naval despatches to Admiral Alexeieff at Mukden. VIEWS OF THE EXPERTS. URGENCY OF SPEEDY CAPTURE LONDON, August 9. The military experts recognise that the Japanese problem for the speedy capture of Port Arthur is more urgent than the early outcome of the operations to the north, inasmuch as even if General Kuropatkin holds a strong position for the present General Kuroki is not compelled to consider the prospect of the early arrival of such great reinforcements as the Baltic fleet would be to General Stoessel at Port Arthur.

It ia considered that although the besiegers of Port Art_u_r hsve received a check there are indications that General Sto easel's figures of their losses are e__sggerated-