THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1400, 10 March 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

GENERAL ITEMS, , RUSSIANS STILL CHEERFUL. By Telegraph—Frees Association—Copyright

Loudon, March 8. Advices from Niuchwang state that 1000 Russians aro moving southward' of tho east bank of tho Liao to attack tho Japanese in tho rear.

Reuter’s Agency at Mukden reports that the Japanese continue their encircling movement. One /of their divisions has been furthor extended in tljo direction of Tieling. Meanwhilo theijjfepanese maintain a steady attack on south front. The Russians retain the esO-ro stronghold, but on the south-west «r (retreating to their second position. The right wing has been thrown back on the RuJßian settlement at Mukden. V\, The Russians have been fighting seven days on the defensive. Their resistance on the whole is undoubtedly weakening. Numbers of Japanese wounded have been brought to Mukden along the Sinmingting road.

The Times' St. Petersburg correspondent says that the Russians rely on the fact that the Japanese front extends 100 miles, and conclude that, as at Liaoyang, the enemy will be unable to strike anywhere decisively. General Kuropatkin this time refuses to leave his positions at a mere menace of communications.

Some attribute General Kuropatkin’s inability to crush a tired foe {as due to frittering his cavalry away on useless reconnaisanees.

The present battle is remarkable for the general recourse to heavy ordnance and flanking movements unprecedented in magnitude.

The long duration of the battle was fore seen. It ie expected to continue for several days.

General Karoki is within two miles of the railway, and is vigorously bombarding Mukden.

After two nights’ close fighting with hand grenades at Witushan, east of Mukden, General Oku captured the two last villages in the circle formed by the railway and tho Hunho. The Russians fiercely resisted. It is believed they are attempting to hold the railway at any cost until' the main army retires.

Russian accounts admit that the lasses exceed those of Lioyang. They claim that the balance of the recent fighting has been to their advantage. The London underwritsrs’ losses on Vladivostok war risks total £1,360,000. War insurances on the steamers Eidswold, Oceana, and Norge, bound from Australia to Vladivostok, have been cancelled, the underwriters losing £IB,OOO.

RUSSIANS IN RETREAT. BEATEN ON ALL SIDES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copytignt Received 5.36 p.m., March 9. Sydney, March 9.

The Japanese Consul has been advised: “General Oyama reports that the Russians have been beaten on all sides and are in full retreat. The Japanese are pursuing them.”

GREAT JAPANESE VICTORY. SWIFTEST ADVANCE OF THE CAMPAIGN. RUSSIAN FORCE SMASHED BY JAPANESE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright Received 9.33 p.m., March 9 London, March 9, General Kuroki captured Munohuntun yesterday morning, and pursued tho enemy northwards. / s

The British colliers Venus and Approdite, bound for Vladivostok, were captured by the Japanese. The Japanese seizures of ooal since the outset is 100,000 tons. Reoeived 9.49 p.m., March 9. The Russians evacuated tho whole line of Shaho, firing quantities of supplies. They are in full retreat northwards, the Japanese infantry pressing them closely. A noteworthy engagement occurred south-west of Mukden.

The Japanese, with 20 guns and 50,000 men, renewed their attacks every two hours.

Generals Oku and Nogi made the swiftest advance of the oampaign. Finding that the enemy had been demolished, they did not allow him to rally. Strong lines were defended half-heartedly. Many were abandoned without even a show of resistance.

I The Russian right was disorganised. There are indications that many Bussians are in open revolt. | The _ army cqrps opposed to General Nogi did not attempt to stop .the advance. The confusion and haste of the Russian retirement evidence that the Japanese rapid rushes, in oonatant touch with the enemy, disconcerted the plans of retreat. The victory was greater than the casualties suggest, as the morale of the Russian army is shattered.

Mr John Hay learns from Tokio that there was a great Japanese victory before Mukden. The casualties on both sides were heavy.

KUROPATKIN’S FLIGHT.

HIS ARMY IN DANGER OF

ANNIHILATION.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Beoeived 10.19 p.m., March 9. London, March 9. General Kuropatkin’s headquarters are in a train, their whereabouts being unknown. The Japanese ransacked the freight yard at Mukden railway.station after a series of encounters with the Bussians at close quarters. The Times’ St. Petersburg correspondent reports that General Kuropatkin informed the Czar that the enormous mass of Japanese north-west of Mukden necessitated an immediate retreat. It is feared at St. Petersburg that the army may be compelled to cut its way, through Teeling Pass, exposed in a three days' march to the risk of annihilation. General Kuropatkin was reinforced a few days ago. His only hope now is that these fresh troops may stall oS a crushing defeat by checking General Oku and enabling General Kuropatkin to remove stores and guns. The Bussian losses in the ten days’ battle is officially given at 830 officers and 83,000 men.

INSTRUCTIONS TO TROOPS. By Telegraph- —Frees Association—Copyright v Received 1.6 a.m., March 10. Sydney, March 9. The Japanese Consul is advised that the Japanese troops at Mukden have received strict instructions to preserve the sanctity of the city, whence rose the Chinese Imperial dynasty; also the interests of the Chinese residents in the city.