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Show Russians Discouraged. St. Petersburg, Dec. 1. The wai of-IJce of-IJce here Is not jet piepaied to accept the report that the Japancso before Port Arthui have taken 20.1 Metre hill, but If it Is olllcially confirmed, tho war olllce admits that It will bo a des-pciatc des-pciatc blow for the gallant defendeis of the fortiess. The position commands com-mands the harbor and if the Japanese can mount slego guns on Its summit, they can force out the Russian squadron squad-ron or destroy It at Its anchorage. Those fainlllat with the suppoitlug plans of the forts think It is by no means certt In that even though Russians Rus-sians are foiccd to retire from 20.! Metre hill, the Japanese can place In position he.iv guns against the lire which the other forts can bring to bear on it. Still the war olllce ofllcials clcaily agtcc that such a bicach rendeis the position extiemely critical, and though tho garrison might bo able to hold out In the Golden hill, Tigers Tall and Llaotl forts for some time, It may maik the beginning of the end. The war otllco Is convinced that with the appioach of the Russian Rus-sian Second squadron the Japancso considered that the elimination of the -Port Arthur squadron as a lighting factor was absolutely vital, thus accounting ac-counting for the tecklcss sccrltlce of II fo In oidcr to scenic a position directly commanding the harbor. |
