THE WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 39, 15 February 1905, Page 5

THE WAR.

STRENGTHENING RIGHT FLANK. 4 i » ALL READY FOR RETREAT. mi » ■ STATE OF SIEGE AT VLADIVOSTOK. [N.Z. Pbess Association.—Cofybiqht.]

The Russians appear to be greatly strengthening their right flank, at the same time that it is stated that their preparations are complete for a retreat to Tieling, where they intend to give battle. The previous story as to the Manchurian railway having been cut may or may not have taken its source from what Kuropatkiii describes as the destruction of thirty yards of the track.

RUSSIANS STRENGTHENING THEIR RIGHT. A CAVALRY SKIRMISH. i Received 8.35 a.m.) LONDON, February 14. The Russians are energetically extending the defensive works on their right flank, and are heavily fortifying their position at Memnofan. The Japanese surrounded a detachment of Russian cavalry at Kein-cfeeng, lulling three and wounding eleven of their number.

READY FOR RETREAT. PRBPASATION3 AT TIELING. (Received 8.35 a.m.) LONDON, February 14. An English visitor at Muhdon states that the army has received addtional encouragement from the knowledge tliat General Kuropatkin's headquarters train is ready to retreat in case of a serious reverse. The same authority says that extensive preparations have been made to give battle at Tieliag, in «ase the retreat is carried into effect, and this has oonvinced the soldiers that a withdrawal will not necessarily be disastrous.

VLADIVOSTOK. STATE OF SIEGE PROCLAIMED. ! (Received 8.35 a.m.) IOIfOON, February 14. Owing to the danger of attack a state of siege has been proclaimed at Vladivostok. Many of the inhabitants are now leaving the town. (Received 5.35 a.m.) LONDON, February 14. The Eastry, the British vessel which the Japanese by mistake detained as a block-ade-runner, has now been released.

RAILWAY DESTROYED AND REPAIRED. (Received 8.35 a.m.) LONDON. February 14. General Kuropatkin ' reports that three hundred Japanese cavalry attacked a bridge at Feng-tse-tong, damaging thirty yards of the railway, which had subsequently been repaired. [This is probably the Kussian reply to the report that the Russian railway had been cut at the theatre of war, as well as by the strikers in Siberia.]

JAPS CONTINUE SAPPING. Light Railway Between Flanks. LONDON, February 14. The Russians report that the Japanese on the Shaho and the Hun continue the work of sapping, and that they light smoky fires to musk the progress of the works. The Russian scouts have discovered that the Japanese have ji narrowrgautje I railway behinS their Tines' to enable"them to transfer troops rapidly from one flank to the other.

THE BALTIC FLEET. Colliers and Neutrality. " * (Received 9 a.m.) LONDON. February 14. The authorities in the Dutch East Indies are exercising their neutrality, and have detained two Hamburg-American colliers. The. coal was landed and sold by auction. TOGO SAILING SOUTH. LONDON, February 14. Admiral Togo has sailed from Kure. It is presumed that he is going south.