THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1358, 19 January 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

GENERAL ITEMS,

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright

London, Jan. 17. Correspondents at Port Arthur concur that the surrender was disgracefully premature. The garrison should bavo been capable of resisting for months. The troops indignantly threw thoir rifles and ammunition into the harbor, looted the warehouses, and refused to obey their officers. Disgraceful scenos ensued. Heavy guns have reached Field-Marshal Oyama. Thu Dutch steamer Wilhelmina, carrying Cardiff coul to Vladivostok, has been captured in Thushima Straits. The first exchange of Russian and Japanese officers taken prisoners has been arrangod. Router’s correspondent with General Nogi declares that the surrender of Port Arthur was unnecessary. General Stoossel had 31,000 effectives. Reuter’s Agency reports that the latest ovonts, including a protest regarding China’s neutrality, and unfounded allegations of Japanese designs on Indo-China, are interpreted at Tokio to mean that Russia is trying to involve othor Powers, with a view to escaping from a disastrous campaign. The Daily Telegraph’s St. Petersburg correspondent reports that Germany is arranging for Russia, France, and Germany, actiDg together, to beat down Japan’s peace terms.

St. Petersburg, Jan 17. A number of eminent citizens of St. Petersburg intend presenting an address to the Czar, representing the uselessness of the Government continuing the war, which they declare the country is unable to conduct successfully. Representative citizens in the capital and many of the principal towns are signing an address to the Czar, protesting against the increased tax on telegrams of one-fourth to provide funds for the Red Cross organisation. Owing to distrust of the present administration, funds from private subscriptions have almost ceased.

THE RUSSIAN SQUADRON. A LAND ENGAGEMENT. QUESTION OF NEUTRALITY. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copytignt Received 9.16 p.m., Jan. 18. Paris, Jau 18. Le Matin’s St. Petersburg correspondent reports that Admirals Rozhdestoensky and Foelkersahm junotionod at Madagascar, sailing without waiting for Admiral Botrovosky. St. Petersburg, Jan 18. General Kuropatkin reports that a strong Japanese detachment of infantry, cavalry and artillery on the 14th, under cover of mist, outflanked a oolumn of Russian cavalry about to retire to tha northwards. A battle ensued and the Russian guns inflicted heavy losses at a range of a thousand paces,and then retired io good order. The casualties were five officers and fifty meD. London, Jan 18. China gives a general denial to the Russians’ charges of breaches of neutrality. Mr John Hay has invited the Powers to assist in inducing the belligerents to respeot the agreement as to limiting the field of operations.

BRITISH VESSELS LIKELY TO BE CAPTURED. RUSSIAN OFFICERS SAIL FOR EUROPE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 10.9 p.m., Jan 18. St. Petersburg, Jan 18. General Stoessel’s 250 officers have sailed for Europe. London underwriters fear that the Japanese may capture in the Thushima Straits 50 British vessels approaching Vladivostok, which are insured for two millions. The Times Port Arthur correspondent reports that the Peresviet, Poltava,Pallada and Bayan may bo refloated at great expense. The Retvisan is hopeless and the Pobieda doubtful. All the turret guns were blown np before the surrender. Some secondary armament is intaot. RUSSIA’S APOLOGY TO GREAT BRITAIN. ROSSI A TALKS PLAINLY TO CHINA. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Reoeived 11.33 p.m., Jan 18. London, Jan. 18. Russia has expressed regret that the press accused Great Britain of allowing the Japanese to establish a base at Labuan. New York, Jan 18. The New York Herald’s Tientsin correspondent reports that Russia threatens to invest Northern China if China continues to discriminate against Russian contraband in Japanese favour.