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Star (Christchurch), 20 December 1907, Page 2

The indictment of Generals Stoessel, Reuss, Fock and Smirnoff accuses Generals Stoessel and Fock of sending deliberate false reports about battles that never took place, of recommending for decorations their own friends and generals who lost battles, and of surrendering fortresses in spite of ample means of resistance. The indictment of General Stoessel contains, among others, the following points: — " General Stoessel disregarded the orders of the Commander-inrChief of 4he Manchurian amiy to hand over the command of Port Arthur to General Smirnoff and to leave the army, bat remained instead in the fortress. jße violated the order of the Imperial Viceroy, interfered with General Smirnoff's functions, and issued counter orders regarding the defensiye works in the second and third lines of the fortress. He made, furthermore, no provision for food supplies. In his report of the action at Kinchau, he stated that ha himself had led the troops most energetically, whereas he remained in Port Arthur and took no part in the fight. He reported General Fock's retreat as a withdrawal carried out in accordance with orders. Oh June 14, 1904, he stated in his despatches that he had taken part in. all the engagements, whereas, from February 8 to June 14 the only engagement which took place was that at Kinchau, at which h© was not present. "With a view to justifying his contemplated surrender of Port Arthur, General Stoessel notified the Czar on December 29, 1904, that the Japanese were masters of the situation, and that Port Arthur could only hold out for a few days lo»ger, as ammunition was running out. In point of fact, the great majority of the Council of War had declared for defending Port Arthur to the last extremity, and had stated that there was abundance of ammunition. In addition, General Stoessel consciously and unjustifiably bestowed the Order of St George upon General Fock for the battle of Kinchau, which General Fock lost, and in which he displayed the grossest incompetence. The same decoration, was conferred upon General Reuss, who himself admitted that he had done nothing to earn such an honour. General Stoessel evacuated several forts without, exhausting every means of defence, and authorised General Reuss to sign conditions of capitulation ignominious to Russia. General Stoessel did not himself share the faija of the garrison nor accompany them into captivity." With regard to General Foek, he is charged with being equally guilty, on all counts with General Stoessel. It declares that he displayed incompetence, and opposed General Stoessers commands, and that he delivered a false report regarding the battle of Kinchau, and, under the excuse of lack of ammunition, retreated in full daylight, caasing, in consequence, great losses to the troops. General Reuss is charged ■ with being an accessory of . General ■ Stoessel. and General Smirnoff is accused or gupineness in not putting a stop to the conduct of Generals Stoessel, Fock jmdj&euss. All the crimes with which Generals Stoessel, Fock and Roues are charged are capital offences , -under the Military Code.