PORT ARTHUR.

Bush Advocate, Volume XVII, Issue 3, 5 January 1905, Page 5

PORT ARTHUR.

Thfe Terms of Surrender. Sydney, Jan. 4. A cable received by the. Consul from the Japanese Minister for Foreign. Affairs states that the Capitulation Agreement consisting of eleven articles, "was signed on the 2nd inst. : ' '. . ,/ The essential points of the agreement are asfe* follows :— " The whole fortress, ships, aruis, ammunition, military buildings, materials, as well as all other Government properties, shall be surrendered. The Japanese reserve themselves the right of free action in the case of the above-mentioned properties being considered to have been destroyed or injured after the signing of the agreement. Plans of forts, torpedo mines, and lists of military and naval officers, etc., shall be delivered. The whole army, navy and volunteers, as well as other, officials, khall be taken prisoners, and in consideration of the brave defence the military and naval officers and civil officials attached shall be allowed to bear their arms and keep private property of immediate necessity for daily life, and return to Russia upon giving their parole not to take up. arms against Japanese interests until the end of the present war." The forts of Itzushan, Antzushan.etc, were surrendered at noon on the 3rd as guaranteed. London, January 4. ■General Stoessel in a despatch of December 28th, stated that the position was becoming very painful, owing to the rapid spread of scurvy. The terrible bombardment ©f 11 -inch shells was mowing down the garrison, who by the scarcity of ammunition were prevented from replying. The shells, out. of revenge, were directed principally against the hospitals and ambulances. The losses of superior officers was enormous. Out of ten genei-als, two were killed, one died of disease, two including himself were wounded, and another was suffering from contusions. Of nine regimental commanders, two were killed, two died of wounds, and four were wounded. Many companies were commanded by ensigns, and the average strength of a company was only sixty. Fourteen thousand sick and wounded were in the hospitals, and were increasing at the rate of 300 daily. Only ten thousand men were under arms. They were all ill and only able ! to resist for a few days longer. The news of the surrender of Port Arthur came like a thunderbolt to 'Russia. At first it was disbelieved ; then it was accepted with quiet resignation, almost relief, many remarking that General. Stoessel should have surrendered long ago. Naval men of Japan admit that General Stoessel was justified in blowing »p his ships. The Daily Mail's Port Arthur correspondent reports that prior to, and during and subsequent to the surrender, the Russians blew up and burned the buildings of the town, and the ships, arsenals and supplies, The Japanese at first insisted upon an unconditional surrender, but the Russians refused. The agreement was signed at 9.40 on Monday night, and Forts Itzushan and Antuzshan were surrendered at noon on Tuesday. It is understood the soldiers will be interned in Japan. The Times says the terms amount to unconditional surrender, tempered with military honours for officers. The Japanese four per cents in London rose I^-, while Russian fours fell 2, but recovered under German support. General Kuropatkin complains of the very dilatory manner in which troops, munitions, and provisions are arriving.

Admiral Foelkersahm's squadron is anchored at the Bay of Passandava, in Madagiiscai 1 , and Rozhjestvensky's at Anlongil Bay, Madagascar. Cruisers, supposed to be Japanese, were sighted in the vicinity of Reunion and Diegosaurez Islands, and another report states that there are Japanese cruisers off Java and a flotilla of torpedoers north of Borneo. Sydney, January 3. The Japanese Consul is advised that the wife of the Crown Prince of Japan gave birth to a sou on the day of Port Arthur's surrender.