PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 46, 23 August 1904, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

The report of yesterday of a Japanese reverso before Port Arthur is to-day confirmed by General Stoessel. The besiegers appear to havo moved from Louisa Bay, horth-e&sb of tho town, to attack the Tuble Heights, which aro strongly fortified.^ and command the harbour on its northern side. The attack was apparently commenced on Saturday, and Irom the fact that the Guards, the very flower of the army, participated in the advance, il is quite olear that it was considered of the first, unportnnco that the assault should bo driven home.' Ib was, however, lepulsed with .heavy loss— that is, if the Russian account is to be trusted. Though thus checked, the onset was renewed on Saturday night and Sunday, but %rith what effect Is not stated. We arc told that the Japanese Commander Jins planned a three days' assault, during which time the assaulting column will be maintained at 6000 strong, and if this fails a long siego. will follow. This .reads like an abatement of the alleged confidence of tub' besiegers thnt they could tako Port Arthur at any time. Ou the other hand, the Japanese nre reported to have captured fort No. 20,, fiv.o miles north of Goldon Hill. The bearing given appears to bo wrong— -it should be north-eaet, and rhc fort is probably the most southerly of th.qse upon the hUls known as "The Ridge," % to tho east of the town. The position apparently dominates both town and harbour, and its possession may -well more than compensate for. the repulse at the base of the Table Heights. Tho interest in the conflict at Port Arthur is,, to-day eclipsed by the sensational situation at Shanghai, with which we deal in ix Koparate axticlo.