The Last Days of Port Arthur.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8051, 31 March 1905, Page 5

The Last Days of Port Arthur.

Writing from a Japanese port on February 12th to an Auckland relative, Mr Sydney Hollis, an officer in the mercantile marine who has frequently visited Auckland, makes some interesting references to the capture of Port Arthur. " The harbour mouth, 300 fathoms wide, is being dammed," he writes " and doubt after all the water is pumped out much more will be found than the sunken warships. Thousands of rifles are not accounted for, and why such tremendously strong works were surrendered I cannot under- j stand, in view of the puns, stores, etc., existing, greatly augmented by a constant service of junks which ran the blockade in fog and snow, despite the fact that a great percentage were captured in the attempt. Even the innocent looking shark was found to be stuffed with rifle cartridges. Bales of cottoni wool, used to pad winter clothing, were found to be suspiciously heavy, and examination proved" them to be filled with 8-inch shells. The Japs are wondering where all the cash went from Port Arthur. It was known that a large _sum was in the fortress for wages, etc., but it must have melted. Strange to say, the Eussian soldiers and officers in captivity now (February 12) at Hiroshima, etc., can buy and pay for all they need in Russian cash."