THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1359, 20 January 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

GENERAL ITEMS«

By Telograph—Proas Association—Copyright London, Jon. 18. General Stoossol, interviewed by tho Daily Express, said that until October he had groat hopoß that tho Baltic fioot would roliovo Port Arthur. Tho council of war unanimously agreed to the surrender. Others officers declared that Prince Aloxicff was a coward for quitting Port Arthur, and Uqhotomsky a coward for returning all tho regimental and naval flags, which had boon conveyed to Ohifu. None of tho ships woro scuttled, all being sunk by tho Metro Hill guns. General Kondrachenko was tho soul of the dofonco. Frightful excesses were committed after tho surrender, tho officers’ lives being imperilled. Ultimately tho men were starved into submission before the Japanese entry. Only enough ammunition was left to resist one more general assault. Advices from Mukden state that 40,000 men from Port Arthur have reinforced Marshal Oyama. Japanese fled to the mountains, fearing a battle at Amminek. It is reported at Kiel that the supposed Japanese torpedo boats participating in the Dogger Bank incident were really Russians, which returned to Libau secretly to be repaired. A Japanese staff officer states that Chinese regulars s.ccompanied Mistehenko’s raiders. Russian sources are responsible for a story that gases from Japanese mines, which exploded daring the attack on EhrluDgshan, oolleotcd in an underground passage and fired a magazine, causing tho entombment of two offioers and 260 men, reported on the 2nd instant.

BRITISH VESSEL CAPTURED.

RUSSIA’S INTENTION TO SEIZE CHINESE PORTS. By Telograph—Press Association—Copyright Received 9.49 p.m., Jan 19. LondoD, Jan. 19. The Japanese captured the British Bteamer ltawtry in the Phushima Straits. She was oarrying provisions and shipbuilding materials for Vladivostok. America regards the reported Russian invasion of Kashgai and alleged intention of the Baltic fleet to seize a Chinese port as ominous. It is roported that Admiral Dewey has advised President Roosvelt to Bend two additional battleships to the Far East. Mr John Hay has reminded Russia that she is expeoted to abide by engagements entered into at tho beginning of the war. NEW CRUISER. Japan is buildiDg a first-class armoured cruiser at Kure.