A Secret Agent in Port Arthur by Wirt Gerrare

Russia's great naval base in the Far East was intended to be an impregnable fortress assuring freedom from molestation to a Russian fleet taking the offensive and requiring a harbour at which to coal and repair. The Viceroy's policy seems to have been determined upon the assumption that Port Arthur afforded an absolutely safe retreat for the Russian fleet, even though the railway were cut and land communication destroyed.

The plan of campaign, providing Japan attacked in force -- Russia never intended to make war -- was for the land forces to retire north until sufficiently reinforced to make a successful advance at the best season; the garrison left at Port Arthur to hold the fortress from attacks on the land side, and shelter the fleet from the enemy's vessels should they approach the port. The Russian fleet was intended to manœuvre within the limits protected by the guns of the forts, to entice the attacking ships to approach, then destroy them one after the other; to make sudden, unexpected raids on the enemy's transports, convoys, and, where there was a prospect of success, also on the opposing fleet. As the enemy's fleet became weakened by losses through such engagements, and repeated assaults on the fortress, the Russian fleet would with increasing boldness take the offensive.