CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.- COPYRIGHT.] WAR IN THE FAR EAST

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 136, 6 December 1904, Page 5

CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.- COPYRIGHT.] WAR IN THE FAR EAST

iPORT ARTHUR ENTRANCE BEING CLEARED. A SORTIE EXPECTED. HOW METRE HILL WAS CAPTURED fPKESS ASSOCIATION.! (Received December 6, 7.55 a.m.) LONDON, sth December. From Metre Hill the Russians retired to the Antszshan and Etseshan forts, fearing the direct fire. The Russians are diligently clearing the entrance to Port Arthur. It is expected that they will make a sortie. POSITION OF THE BESIEGING PARTY. GUNS MOUNTED ON METRE HILL. LONDON, sth December. The Japanese forces besieging Port Arthur have occupied Shasakayama Hill, three hundred yards south of Metre Hill, and have firmly secured Metre Hill. Heavy guns have been mounted, whkh sweep the harbour and enfilade Erlungshan. FIVE DAYS' DESPERATE FIGHTING DETAILS OF* THE CAPTURE OF METRE HDLL. LONDON, sth December. News from the front shows that the struggle for Metre Hill occupied five days, during which time the fighting waa of a desperate character. A fourth charge was made on 27ta November, when the Japanese captured Bed Hill, sout/h of Metre Hill, after three failures, the third charge being especially furious. A counter-attack was made that night, and Red Hill was recaptured by the Russians. Next day the Japanese attacked Metre Hill desperately. While advancing between Metre Hill and Red Hi;i they were decimated by fire from Forts Aufewshan and Etseshan, but they swept o», captaring the south-east corner sna the northern face, and also taking Ic3gment near the parapet on the south-west. The opeartions were very costly, both sides throwing many grenades. On 29th November the Russians made a furious counter-attack, which was largely successful. On 30th November strong reserves of Japanese renewed the attack on the south-west face. The fighting was continuous all day. The fire of the Japanese artillery, assisted by the ships' guns, was very effective, and during the afternoon the Russians weakened. At 5 o'clock the Japanese tried, but failed, to rush the trenches, losing heavily. They were, however, opportunely reinforced, and with loud shouts hurled themselves repeatedly against the Russians, who at half-past 7 broke and sullenly retired. Almost simultaneously the south-east angle was carried, and the whole fortress was" taken by' 8 o'clock. Then Red Hill was captured. Russian reinforcements were summoned by telephone just too late, though they delivered six desperate counter-attacks, the last one extending over eight hours. There were many bayonet encounters. Finally, after suffering terrible losses, the Russians retired on Ist December. THE QUESTK>N OF CAPITULATION. (Received December 6. 8.7 a.m.) • LONDON, sth December. The feeling is rapidly growing in Southern Russia in favour of the timely capitulation of Port Arthur. THE JAPANESE NAVY. LONDON, sth December. Repairs to oie Japanese fleet have been secretly proceeding since August, and the warships are now stated to be "ready for anything." French officers sighted the battleships Mikasa and Asahi, which have recently visited Saseho and been completely refitted. BLOCKADE RUNNERS. (Received December 6, 9.43 a.m.) LONDON, sth December. Blockade runners to Port Arthur receive payment fivefold the nominal value of the goods. TEN TRAIN LOADS OF BEEF. LONDON, sth December. The Cudahy Company, of Omaha (Nebraska) has sent ten train -loads of beef to Tacoma for shipment to an unknown destination. The shipment is for Russia.