STÖSSEL STAYS
Early on the morning of March 22 the enemy's fleet, in three divisions,
consisting of six battleships, six armoured cruisers, and six second
and third class cruisers, slowly approached us from different
directions. At 7 a.m. our cruiser squadron, led by the _Askold_, flying
the flag of the officer in command, slipped out into the outer Roads.
In rear of them steamed the battleships. The enemy moved towards
Liao-tieh-shan, and at 9.30 opened fire with their 12-inchers, which at
measured intervals thundered forth one after another. First a bright
yellow spurt of flame tinged with red, a little cloud of smoke, then
the boom of a gun, followed by the horrid groan of the shell hurtling
through the air, and the final crack of the burst.
From the top of Quail Hill the whole scene was clearly visible--the
Fortress, the sea, and the ships. That day the Japs again fired 208
shells, the majority of which fell in the narrows, in the western
basin, on Liao-tieh-shan, or in its vicinity; but their shooting was
bad. We replied by indirect fire, and also enfilade fire from our
ships, lying in the outer Roads. By 11 o'clock we got in several
hits, and the enemy moved off, and, in spite of their superiority in
numbers, did not attempt to prolong the battle. A good instance of the
disregard shown by the army to these naval bombardments occurred that
day. When the gun-fire ceased the rattle of musketry was heard from the
direction of Pigeon Bay, and on the Commandant telephoning to ascertain
what it was, it turned out that a company commander was merely putting
his men through musketry.
The rest of that day we heard the names of Smirnoff and Makharoff on
all sides, but never a word of Stössel.
As soon as General Smirnoff had inspected the position at Kinchou, he
saw of what enormous strategical importance it was, and he gave orders
for it to be fortified with the utmost rapidity, and in his order No.
228, of March 23, he authorized the Fortress Commanding Engineer to
draw £1,000 for this purpose from the Defence Fund. As I have said
before, the position was under the actual command of General Fock,
commanding the 4th Rifle Division. What Fock accomplished between
the beginning of hostilities up to May 26 the reader will see in the
following pages.
After midnight on March 25 the sky cleared, and the moon lit up the
sleeping town and harbour. In the inner roads the shapes of our ships
and the closely-crowded destroyers looked black against the transparent
blue of the quiet night. There was no sound in the Roads. The darkness
increased, and seemed to be cut into by the rays of the searchlights.
Suddenly a single shot rang out from the narrows, then another, then
a cannonade commenced from the seaward batteries. The blockers at it
again? It was, and despite the hail of shot, they continued at full
speed straight for the boom. Three of them got right up close to the
entrance, and then, suddenly turning to starboard, dashed at full speed
on to the rocks under Golden Hill. The fourth first turned to port,
then sank just out of the fairway, riddled with shell.
Every day after riding round the positions Smirnoff consulted with
Generals Kondratenko[6] and Biely,[7] and Colonels Grigorenko[8] and
Khvostoff.[9] In conjunction with them, he settled the most important
questions _re_ future work. His labours cannot be judged from his
written orders, for he had no time to write--questions were decided on
the spot. He gave his verbal orders there and then, and they were at
once carried out.
From day to day we expected to hear of Stössel's departure, but
instead, officers of the 3rd Corps began coming in to him. It was
rumoured that he would operate with his corps in the peninsula, and
might never go to the Yalu. We were afraid to think that he might
remain, and all who valued Arthur as the mainstay of Russia in the Far
East hoped that such a trial might be spared us. But the blow fell, and
dire was the shock when we read his Orders of March 27:
'... I have received the following telegram from the Viceroy:
'"It is the Imperial wish that you should assume temporary command
of the land defences in the Kwantun district, the Commandant of the
Fortress being under your orders. You will exercise the full powers
of an officer in command of an independent corps, directly under
the Officer Commanding the Manchurian Army. The Commandant of the
Fortress will have the powers of an officer commanding a corps which
is not independent...."
'General Roznatovsky, Chief of the Staff of the 3rd Siberian Army
Corps, is also appointed to be Chief Staff Officer of the District,
and the Commandant of the Fortress and the Officer Commanding the 4th
Rifle Brigade will send all orders and information, etc., into the
office of 3rd Siberian Army Corps.
'Stössel, Lieutenant-General.'
This was the worst piece of news we heard during the whole siege.
The 29th of March was the sixth anniversary of our occupation of
Port Arthur. For six years we had been spending millions on the
fortifications, on building Dalny, and in constructing a railway from
distant Russia. What was the result when war commenced? Does Russia
realize the gigantic work done by Smirnoff and the garrison under him?
No, not yet.
When it was reported to General Smirnoff that quantities of articles
of the first importance were being exported from the Fortress, he at
once issued an order forbidding it. He received several complaints,
but adhered to his decision. The dissatisfied ones then went to the
Officer Commanding the District to complain about the Commandant. Among
them was a school friend of mine, Captain Radetsky, who was acting as
a commissariat officer, and had come from the main army to buy what he
could. He took away several waggon-loads.
In spite of the very strict orders about not exporting, Stössel wrote
to Smirnoff that he considered exportation should be permitted, and
he sanctioned the request made to him to take out supplies, and asked
Smirnoff to rescind his orders. Smirnoff at once instructed the Chief
of the Gendarmes to see that his orders were carried out to the letter,
adding that any neglect would entail a court-martial. To the Officer
Commanding the District he politely explained that he could not permit
anything to be taken out of the Fortress which was entrusted to him,
and which might any day be strictly blockaded. The confusion caused by
this interference can be imagined.
Day followed day and Easter came and went, but work during the holiday
stopped for one day only.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 6: O.C. the Fortress Division.]
[Footnote 7: O.C. Fortress Artillery.]
[Footnote 8: O.C. Fortress Engineers.]
[Footnote 9: Chief of the Fortress Staff.]