THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1347, 6 January 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

GENERAL ITEMS, A RUSBIAN THREAT TO BRITAIN

By Telegraph—Press Association—CopyrigM London, Jan, 4. Captain Klisovitoh, commanding the last launch which osoaped from Port Arthur and reaohed Cbifu, states that most of tho fortresses of Port Arthur wore absolutely wrecked. Sovoral explosions wore necessary to destroy the warship Sevastopol, which caught fire, blow up, and turned turtle in deep water. The sunken ships blocked tbe harbor entrance. Only the hospital ships Kadan and Mongolia are navigable. Escapees state that 21,009 of tho garrison wore killed. Some were wounded as many as soven times, and returned to fight when convalescent. The proportion of officers killed was the highest over recorded, owing to the men requiring constant leading iu consequence of lethargy resulting from want of food and sleep. The Russians think the capture of Port Arthur has cost Japan two hundred million yen. * It is believed that the Baltic rendezvous will be IT -s, Tho Standard states that A? Intends to force the Baltic flest .friges T* to return to Europe. He is ready to ad-: vanoe a considerable distance to meet Admiral Rozbjeatvenski. Tho Novoe Vremya says that British ships are shadowing the Baltic fleet in order to disolose their movements to Japan. It adds that the least cause may provoke consequences akin to the North Sea incident.

Baron Hayashi, Japanese Ambassador in London, states that no armistice is contemplated. Warlike operations will continue.

The Russian press dwells on the heroic character of the defence of Port Arthur, and assart that the sacrifices made have not been in vain.

General Nogi reports that the transfer of war material and Gdvernraent property began to-day. » Four Japanese warships are ernising on tho east cost rf Sumatra. The British cruiser Andromeda, from Weiheiwai, carried to Port Arthur two surgeons and a hospital staff, 100,0001 b of provisions, 350 beds, and medioal appliances and comforts for the Russian sick and wounded.

The statement that 800 Port Arthur escapees reaohed Kiaochou is contradicted. v

St. Petersburg, Jan. 4. The feeling of gloom is growing in Russia. i

General Stoessel is regarded as a universal hero, Thc blowing up of the ships is acclaimed. It is Btated iu financial oireles at St. Petersburg that Russia' is spending forty millions sterling abroad during the next three years in the construction of a navy.

JAPANESE WANT MORE - VICTORIES. CONDITION OF SURRENDERED GARRISON. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Reoeived 9.55 p.m., Jan 5. London, Jan 5. The weight of official opinion in Tokio is adverse to peace until General Kuropatkin and Admiral Rozbjeßtvenßki are defeated. General Nogi reports that 35,000 surrendered at Port Arthur, including 25,000 soldiers and sailors, 20,000 being sick and wounded. Common provisions such as bread were plentiful. There was a scarcity of meat and vegetables, and no medical supplies. The Japanese are strenuously snocouring the garrison. .r Paris, Jan 5. Ls Temps announces that Russia has asked France to transmit to-Japan Russia’s formal protest against the bombardment of the hospitals at Port Arthnr.

STOESSEL’S NEW YEAR LETTER.

A DESPERATE POSITION.

THE BRAVE GENERAL ASKS CZAR’S FORGIVENESS,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyright Received 9.43 p.m., Jan. 5. liondon, Jan. 6. General Stoossel, oabl!ing to the Czar on Sunday, states “ The Japanese on Saturday, after tremendons explosions' under Fort No. 3, maintained a two hours’ infernal bombard’ mont along the whole line. Then they assaulted the Chinese wall extending from Fort 8 to the Eagle’s Neat Fort. They were twioe repulsed, the artillery inflating much damage. When it was found impossible to defend the wall, the Russians retired to the hills at the rear,'abandoning the greater part of the eastern front. ginee we are unable long to defend the new position we must oapitnlate, but everything is in God’s hands. We bave> suffered great losses. The commander of Fort 3 was killed in an explosion. “Great sovereign, forgive. We have done all that is humanly possible. “Judge us, but be merciful. Eleven months' ceaseless fighting has exhausted our strength. Only a quarter of thb defenders, and half of these invalids, occupy 27 versts of fortifioations, without support, without intervals even of the briefest repose. The men as* reduced to ‘

U4jNESB OF. GENERAL' STOESSEL

JAPANESE ARRANGEMENTS.

By Telegraph—Press AsßOoiation —Copyright Reoeived 10.47 p.m., Jan. 5.

„ , London, Jan. 5. General Stoessol is ill abed. General Smirnoff, with General Sfcoessel’s approval, arranged for {he surrender, .the entire gft?rfson and all non combatants r Ha'roh on Thursday to village Vaptt'thure, near Pigeon Bay. The officers wili then' bo token to D.alny, where they will be liberated. Prisoners of war will be removed from Dalny to Japan.

A RUSSIAN LIE,

FIGHTERS FRATERNISE ROUND BONFIRES.

By Telegraph—Press Association—CopyrightReceived 11.33 p.m., Jan 6. London, Jan 5. The statement thet British ships are shadowing the Baltic fleet is denied. The surrender surprised General Nogi’s I army, who expected another month’s ! fighting. , v . I Viotors and vanquished freely fraternise!? round bonfires. [ The awfnl destruction worked by dvna- I mite at Brlungahan and Sunshungshari greatly damped the garrison’s ardour. The I subsequent assault was comparativelv I feebly resisted. * j It is reported that Admirals Uohtomskv and Loaohinsky reaehsd Chifu disguised. * I