THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1397, 7 March 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

GENERAL ITEMS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, March 5. Japanese official reports state that tho Russians in the direction of Singkin attempted several counter-attacks, all of which were repulsed. Engagements are now proceeding at Pensihu and Shaho,and are developing favorably. A quantity of provisions and forago were captured at Simminting. General Kuropatkin admits that the Japanese carried tho entrenchments in front of Kaotuling and the heights of the centre position on the left flank,- but says that a counter-attack dislodged the Japanese.

Later reports state that the commander of tho Jinsitun and Kandolisan region reports that 20 Japanese battalions attacking the left flank wore ropulsed, leaving masses of corpses, the enemy making parapets of the dead bodies. Three attacks on Kaotuling were repulsed after the Japanese were within 200 paeßS of the trenehfis. , ;. - ;

A signal Japanese victory was achieved aoross tho Hunho, two divisions being defeated in detail with great slaughter. Huge quantities of ammnnition were captured. Other advices state that one division, trying to regain another and reinforce Mukden, was driven to Tieling with groat loss. .

General Kuropatkin reports that the front ranks of the Japanese attacking the right flanks at'Kaotuling were dressed in uniforms of the Cl mbasky regiments, which were posted atwaotuling. In consequence of the Japanese beadquarters’ silence, officials at Tokio are doubtful whether the general action has commenced. They anticipate a severe battle at. Ohnipingtsi, where tho defeated troops team Tsinchensan have rallied.

RUSSIANS’ TALES OF SUCCESS. By Telegraph—Prees Association—Copyright Received 10.13 p.m:, March 6. London, Maroh 6. Russians at Mukden claim to have ordered the right flank to withdraw after Ohantan. Fighting occurred a few miles north-east of Chantan. They claim to have captured some machine guns, and some of General Nogi’s Port Arthur soldiers ; also to have {destroyed an entire Japanese regiment at Chantan with shrapnel. They burned forage at villages north of the Hunho. They admit their losses were extensive. ' '■ ■ •

FURTHER FIGHTING. RAPIDITY OF JAPANESE MOVEMENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 10.5 p.m,,' March 6. London, March 6. Japanese at Sanchiapu, eastward of Chantan, began an attack on Chautan. The Japanese simultaneously advanced from the direction of Lias. completely surprising the Russians, who forthwith made stupendous efforts to concentrate at Mukden to oppose General Nogi. The latter’s extraordinarily rapid maroh astounded General Kuropatkin. Several Japanese divisions appeared to the west, and Japanese corps were attacking from the south-west. The fighting on Saturday was within sight of Mukden. During an artillery duel westwards of Mukden yesterday, the Japanese shells burst within 14 kilometres of |the Chinese imperial tombs. Prisoners informed Russians that only the Japanese Imperial Guards division, formerly attached to General Kuroki, participated. No other attacks were made. The centre maintained a fierce demonstration, while the Russian right and left were pressed back on the plain between Putiloff Hill and tho railway, -Masked by the smoke of the guns the Russian artillery fire redoubled in activity, wnile projectiles from the Japanese siege guns bnrst in a long line between Pntiloff and Linobipn.

OFFICIAL REPORTS. FORCING THE RUSSIANS BACK. By Telegraph—Press association—Copyright Received 11.57 p.m., March 6, London, March 6. Field-Marshal Oyama reports : General Oka, piercing the defences stretching from Chantan to Sufangti, continued to fiercely pnrsne, and reached the line extending from Wochiapu, 15 miles south-west of Mukden, to Tatsepau. Tho enemy’s casualties wore heavy. Oar spoils were groat, and include. 18.000 bags of flour, 50,000 bales of bean cake at Wanchanpu, and the GlothiDg depot at Tahantai. Received 12.9 a.m., March 7.

Defeated troops from Tsinchensan reached Samlungha, where they wore reinforced, and the combined forces, nnm baring 30,000, were driven towards Man ohnntun.

Field-Marshal Oyama telegraphed on Saturday : 'Tho enemy has been pushed into the bass of Tita, 15 miles south-east of Fushan, and Munchuntun, 15 miles south of Fushan. Tha engagement continues in the direction of Shaho. The Russian right extends to Sukudiapu, 14 miles from Mnkdcn, guarding the line of retreat, "... - -

ENORMOUS CASUALTIES. RUSSIANS RETREAT IN r ' DISORDER. a STORMING OF SHAHO-FU. i _____ j By Telegraph—Press Assooiation—Copyright 3 Received 11.57 p.m., March 6. f London, March 6. - General Oku on Thursday evening i re-oocupied the second line of defences on 1 the Russian right, two miles north of the first line. He also gained the west bank of the Hunho, four miles north of Ohantan, completely turning the Russian right flank. The fire demoralised the Russians, I who retreated in disorder, hotly pursued until night. I It is feared at St. Petersburg that the I Russians abandoned the heavy guns at I Shaho, retreating after sustaining and I inflicting losses totalling on both sides one I hundred thousand. I There aro persistent reports that the I Japanese stormed Shaho-pu, and have j taken a thousand prisoners. Received 12.50 a.m., March 7. I London, March 6. I Marshal Oyama reports that the j Japanese in Pensiho region pressed the I enemy on tho main defenees,capturing the j highlands north of Husaagmnpantse and f ; Tanziatung. The latter repelled a counter I ; attack. Subsequently battalions of the I i enemy at Fenkiapu attempted to penetrate j 1 ShaDgwafang, but were repulsed. | , General Kuropatkin reports the repulse I ] of thirteen Japanese night attacks on I c Kandolisan. General Sehateloff and I a Colonel Ghorki were wounded. . , j a