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Show 8T0ESSEL BIDS GOOD-BYE TO ALL Port Arthur Will Be His Grave. Death Is Preferable to Capitulation, Capit-ulation, Says General. Gen-eral. Private Letter From the Russian Commander, Dated October 21, Pveaches the Public SHANGHAI, OcL 23. A private letter from Port Arthur dated October 21 received re-ceived here today says: "Gen. Stoessel wired the Russian Emperor Em-peror and court recently: " 'I now bid you all good-bye forever. Port Arthur Is my grave.' "Geu. Stoessel has instructed the garrison gar-rison of the beleaguered fortress with the spirit that to court a glorious death is preferable to capitulation. Arsenal Destroyed. "The Japanese shells are inflicting great damage to the Russian fleet in the harbor and to the fortifications. The uraenal with Its contents of ammunition and small arms has been destroyed and preparations are being made for the last deadly struggle at close quartern The water supply having been cut off wells are being sunk. Provisions are "scarce. Only tinned meats being left, the soldiers sol-diers hold gala feasts on horses killed hy the shells. "Gen. Simonoff, It Is said, would surrender, sur-render, but Is overruled by Gen. Stoes-t-el. "Certain troops Included in the garrison garri-son have to be closely watched at present pres-ent for fear of desertion or treachery. Hospitals Are Full. "The field and naval hospitals are crowded and hygienic conditions are becoming be-coming desperate. The bombardment at times Is so Incessant that itJs impossible impossi-ble to bury the dead to any depth. Over one-half of the original garrison is dead, wounded or sick. "The high angle at which their artillery ar-tillery fire is directed by the Japanese guns has practically destroyed the new-town. new-town. "When the Meet attempted to break through the blockade some time ago the garrison was to have made a desperate sortie and Inflict as much damage as possible and If necessary capitulate. The failure of the fleet to escape frustrated the plan. Everything Is Mined. "Tho besiegers are pressing closer dally and It Is hard to say how long we can hold out. When the end comes there will be a desperate fight and surprise. sur-prise. Thousands of the enemy will perish per-ish as everything is mined." This letter was entrusted to a native boatman who ran the blockade and mailed It at -Chefoo. The recipient Is a prominent continental conti-nental business man of this city with a branch house at Port Arthur. |