Another trouble arose through the ships in harbour being unable to get supplies of water, and for days the unfortunate passengers had neither water nor food--but the position of the civilians in town was not much better. Of all the Government departments, the best managed during this trying period was the railway. The staff was less affected by the war than were some others. Trains ran regularly, and for one day only was communication with Russia interrupted. Many trains were requisitioned for military use, nevertheless some passengers were forwarded each day, and General Stoessel ordered the people to be patient in attempting to get away, as 20,000 seats were wanted, but the station-master had only one train with which to meet the demand. On the military side the railway was used to the full extent and much was accomplished. Troops were sent to guard inland positions, stores were brought in, heavy guns were sent to the outlying fortifications, and everything was worked without any show of haste. The outgoing passenger trains were at first crowded to their fullest carrying capacity, and people even stood outside the cars on the platforms between them. Only first and second class tickets were issued, and the greater part of the accommodation was third class. No Chinese were conveyed by train at all. Port Arthur recovered from the first shock of war in a comparatively short time. The restoration of calm was due chiefly to non-molestation on the part of the enemy. Sixteen days elapsed after the first bombardment before another serious attack was attempted. In the meanwhile the defence had been organized; a more careful watch was kept seaward; the batteries were fully manned, big guns were got into position, the damaged cruisers were docked and repaired, and the fleet utilized to some extent in supporting the fire from the forts. And the morale of the citizens improved; the bombardment had injured but a few personally, the damage to property was not so very serious, and people found courage, being more confident of immunity from immediate danger. In the town there was an amelioration of the conditions which ensued when the Chinese servants absconded. For one thing, just as the Port Arthur Chinese made haste to reach Dalny, the Dalny Chinese simultaneously sought safety at Port Arthur. Servants were less scarce, and the Russian soldiers were engaged upon all kinds of necessary work, both in houses, and at the docks and on the wharves. The extent to which the Russian soldiers invaded every domestic domain with their useful services was astonishing. It was excellent training, too, for the long siege which followed, as when there was really little at stake, beyond the sanitary conditions, if the ordinary work were not done for a time, they filled the places formerly occupied by the Chinese and so made the defending force absolutely independent of the assistance to which the coolie immigrant had accustomed the town.