The Pahiatua Herald with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published every evening. FRIDAY NOV. 4, 1904. APPALLING CARNAGE AT PORT ARTHUR.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XII, Issue 1885, 4 November 1904, Page 4

The Pahiatua Herald with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published every evening. FRIDAY NOV. 4, 1904. APPALLING CARNAGE AT PORT ARTHUR.

Tiie determination of General Stoessel, in command of the Tort Arthur garrison, to fight while thare are enough men loft to man a gun is characteristic of the man who uttered this heroio sentiment, but regrettable to those who recognise that lie arid his brave men are “playing a losing gamo," and m st eventually, by their death, add to the fearful carnage that has taken

place during the present war, and especially during the assaults on Port Arthur. An indication of the butchery that has occurred there is afforded by a perusal of London papers just to hand, and which contains the full version of a story by Prince Radziwill, a Russian lieutenant, to Reuter's special correspondent at Cbifu. The Prince and his companion had been engaged in the perilous enterprise of despatch bearers, and leaving Port Arthur by junk at night-time, had successfully eluded the vigilance of the Japanese. In the course of an interview Prince Radziwill stated that the temper of the belligerents at Port Arthur had reached an absolutely merciless pitch. He had followed the operations in the Boer war with the British, but until be had seen Port Arthur he bad no idea that war could be so horrible. He declares that the combatants on both sides are absolutely venomous in the fury of their antagonism. General Stoessel, in a recent address to the garrisoD, declared that the present temper of the Japanese made resistance to the last drop of blood a necessity, as, if the fortress were entered, the Japanese officers would undoubtedly be unable to restrain their men from massacre—an assertion that we trust will not be justified by results, hoping as we do that the Japauese will be merciful in their hour of victory. For the reason mentioned the Russian commander is not objecting to civilians leaving the becieged towD. Prince Radziwill says that 300 women engaged in hospital work were advised to leave, but they rereplied that they would face massacra rather than leave their posts, thus showing that the frail portion of humanity attending the sick and wounded are as brave and as selfsacrificing as the men fighting in defence of the town. In consequence of the non-observance of the flags of truce the Japanese dead, which have been lying on the bills outside the northern defences for weeks, are still unburied. The soldiers, who in some cases are posted only fifty pace 9 from heaps of decaying bodies, constantly wear kerchiefs soaked in camphor over their noses, otherwise they would not be able to remain at their posts. Later news stated, however, that a truce had been agreed upon to allow of the burial of the dead. The following terrible story was related to Reuter’s representative by Prince Radziwill, as illustrating the ferocity with which the conflict is being waged :—Daring the assaults of the last four days of August two companies of Japanese, finding themselves at the mercy of the Russians, hoisted the white flag. The Russians paid no attention to the signal, but tired volley after volley, while the Japanese in the rear, seeing the white flag, expressed their disapproval by firing into their comrades. Caught between two fires, the hapless two companies were annihilated, 600 men being shot down where they stood another incident that shows in lurid light the unspeakable horrors of war. These men fell among the decomposing bodies of tbe victims of previous assaults. For days afterwards wounded men were seen lifting their arms and fluttering handkerchiefs in impotent appeals for help. But the Russians were afraid to venture out. Within a week tbe last arm had signalled its unregarded prayer, and the shambles where the I 600 had fallen was still—but a place ! of horror. The Prinoo saw in the ( midst of the heaps of dead a Russian and a Japanese locked in a deathembrace, the Japanese with his teeth sunk in the Russian's throat, while two of the Russian’s fingers were I buried in the eye sockets of bis foe. And Prince Radziwill assured the interviewer that this was only one incident among many, evidencing tho ferocious nature of tho struggle. If what Prince Radziwill says is true, and there is no reason why he should stato what is not true, both the Russians and Japanese are fighting after tbe manner of wild beasts, with no other thought but that of destroying one another. In contrast to this gruesome aspect of the fighting in the vicinity of Port Arthur, it is gratifying to hoar of humanity being shown in other parts of tbo theatre of war by mombors of the rival armies. In view of the heartloss j savagery above mentioned, reformers ! and philanthropists lorn; for the tiiuo

when the words of tbe prophet shall be fulfilled “ Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more,” and when the glorious principles of arbitration and conciliation shall be adopted by all nations to adjust all differences between them, with oncalculable benefit to the whole civilised world and to many generations.