PORT ARTHUR.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8098, 29 September 1904, Page 2

PORT ARTHUR.

MUSIC, SONG, AND BATTLE.

DETERMINATION OF GARRISON AND BESIEGERS.

(Received September 29, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, September 28. The Port Arthur garrison nightly construct works to stem the eastern advance, but these are demolished at daybreak. The Japanese have sapped within a few hundred yards, of the fortress, a sortie from which was repulsed and several Russian howitzers captured. Shells are damaging the shipping. Both sides display unparalleled fortitude and determination. The Russian bands play the National Anthem, and the Japanese in the trenches shout "Banzai 1" (equivalent to Hurrah!") and sing patriotic songs. St. Petersburg advices state that the Russians have lost 9600 men in Port Arthur since September 2.

EXTRAORDINARILY ACTIVE BOM-

BARMDENT.

GENERAL STOESSEL'S REPLY TO

AN ENVOY.

(Received September 28. 9.55 p.m.l LONDON,, September 28. The Japanese are showing extraordinary activity in bombarding Port Arthur. Day and night they are now battering at the last defences eastward, preparatory to a final assault. Th« garrison, but not the flaeb, have been offered the honors of war if they surrender. General Stoessel refused the offer, and threatened to shoot the next summoner.

THE CONDITION OF THE GARRISON

"SERIOUS, BtT SOT DESPERATE."

(Received September 29, 8.54 a.m.) LONDON, September 28. The besiegers' operations are largely directed ' against the position westward of the railroad. These are nearer the harbor than are Erlung, Kintwan, and Paiyan. The capture of Kuropatkin fort, wbicn is 425 feet above the sea, besides placing the waterworks at the mercy of the Japanese, is strategically important. Alexieff reports that the situation at Port Arthur is serious, but not desperate. The garrison has sufficient water, only two or three springs having been captured. /

Provisions are abundant, but ammunition is limited. Some of the Russian guns are only worked with difficulty, but there are still 12,00b able-bodied defenders.