THRILLING ESCAPE FROM PORT ARTHUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12602, 17 June 1904, Page 2 (Supplement)

THRILLING ESCAPE FROM PORT ARTHUR.

HOW THE LAST TRAINS ESCAPED DANGERS. ' '" '- Liao-iang, May 14. Neuirovich Daxchenko, the Russian war correspondent in the service of the Associated Press, gives his personal narrative of his escape from Port Arthur as follows: — " Having reached the flaming village of Wafandian, I wished to proceed thence to LiaOyang and afterward join General Zassalitch eastward. With nightfall from the hills outlined against the blaze of fire, shots were heard occasionally. The locomotives showed no signs of starting. ' Chinese approached us with complaints against the Governor, who had executed eight more of our friends. The Chinese, frightened, huddled around our campfire. The telegraph wire was working all night with headquarters. At daybreak a monster ammunition train, drawn by several engines, arrived. It was essential to take that train through to Port Arthur, an exceptionally dangerous undertaking, in view of the reappearance of the enemy. Two squadrons of frontier guards were sent out to reconnoitre the neighbourhood. The cars wore armoured by a double row of rails against rifle fire, and had on board a company of Baikal engineers. "A locomotive was sent ahead to .'act as a scout, in charge of Lieutenant Zavadsky, who acted as engineer, and Lieutenant Von Roop, two armed stokers, and the correspondent of the Associated Press. Our mission was to signal the train, which was following 10 minutes behind, if there was any danger that it would attract the enemy's attention, in which case the train would have been blown up by the Russians. Colonel Spiridorof, who, with a force ot officers and of the Amur railfoad battalion, had come over the damaged line, repairing it as he came, gave the signal, and we .moved off, with the engine swathed in clouds of smoke from the burning station of . Wafandian. -..)"

THROUGH THE ENEMY'S LINE. "As we drew close, on both sides were verdure-covered slopes, with blue hills in the distance and occasional glimpses of the emerald sea. Chinese villages and miniature gardens alone relieved the monotony of the picturesque scene. The typhoon had passed and there was nothing then to prevent the enemy's landing. Doubtless it was proceeding not far away. " I saw Chinese women and children fleeing with their families and valuables. Wo eagerly scanned the treacherous nooks and gorges of the hills, where the enemy might be lurking. A single successful shot from a hidden battery might blow up the mammoth train behind. There was no sign of life at Polandien. ; ,

" The charred station house was as desolate as the grave. We overtook the cavalry scouts, and thereafter acted as our own outposts. We found the bridges, one of which had been repaired by Colonel Spiridorof on the previous day, were still guarded by our sentries, who reported that the enemy had not appeared. The locomotive steamed on quickly, without encountering any sign of life, as far as Sanshilipou. There the troops were drawn up to meet us. We heard the good news that 36 men, who had been surrounded by the enemy the previous day, and who had been vainly"sought by the Kmehau garrison, had succeeded in breaking through the enemy's lines unaided. " After again starting wo saw a detachment of cavalry in the midst of a cloud of dust, near the seashore, and stopped to see whether they were friends or foes. Through fieldglasses we recognised Russian uniforms. It was a squadron sent by General Pock to meet and escort us. The soldiers hurrahed and galloped forward with joyful faces. "At Kinchau General Fock and his staff came to offer their congratulations on the accomplishment of such a dangerous and important mission.

Now that yon have fed Port Arthur in every sense, we need have no anxietv. The enemy is everywhere, but they missed you,' said General Foek. ''The general thanked Colonel Spiridorof and the officers and men, and the train proceeded thence over a well-protected line. There was no necessity for us to go any further. "A telegram came from Port Arthur expressing heartfelt gratitude. _ "As- we loft and resumed our journey to Liao-yang we could hear the echoes of distant explosions, caused by the blowing up of the piers, docks, and quays of Port Dalny. On our way north we sighted a detachment of Japanese cavalry. The enemy continued landing troops at Hanchou, near Cape Terminal, driving out toe Chinese. _ " There is a feeling of confidence that. Liaotung is not impaired by the apparent temporary checks to the Russian army,which, it is claimed, cannot alter the final outcome. Let Kussia it is added, not give wav to excitement, but look forward cheerfully. J **esh troops a. 1 "® arriving uninterruptedly. The Siberian soldiers have a splendid appearance. They are greatly superior to the troops from the Central Russian province" l.iao-yang is packed with supplies. the Russian 1 commanders do not believe the enemy *il] prove very energetic. Thev think the Japanese move against. Port. Arthur was 5 ruse, and that the chief attack is intended to be made on Liao-yang " ■ ' '