THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1406, 17 March 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

RUSSIA’S TOTAL LOSS 400,000 MEN A POLICY OF DESPAIR. ADVANCE ON MUKDEN.

By Telegraph -’Press Association •—Copyright LondoD. March 15. While the Japanese centre is dosing on Tieling from tho south, the wings are executing flankiog operations to prevent escape to Harbin. Fronoh correspondents at St. Petersburg declare that tho Court and military circles fear that unt a man will reach Harbin if tho Japanese follow up their victory, yet General Kuropatkin telegraphs that tbo Russians are fast reorganising. .There is no news of General Rennekampf, and it is feared his division of tranß-Baikal Cossacks has shared the fate of the Caucasian oavalry brigade, which was sacrificed to cover the retreat of the rearguard. Two officers were apparently the sole survivors. It is reported at St. Petersburg that a force of Japanese infantry aud artillery is approaching Vladivostok. . The authorities at Berlin regard the Czar’s dooision to continue the war as a policy of despair. A conapinacy has been discovered at Seoul to induce the Emperor to repudiate the Japanese convention and seek refuge at the Foreign Legation. The conspirators were arrested. The Russian killed, wounded, and prisoners, on land and sea, since the outbreak of the war, is 400,000. ' Admiral Medbogatoff’s squadron is at Suda Bay. Civilian fugitives from Mukden are shelterless on the roads and fields. Several have been murdered. It is believed there are no stores between Tieling and Harbin. Chinese residents at Mukden welcomed the Japanese with enthusiasm. The rapidity of the' pursuit compelled the Russians to abandon fifteen miles north of Mukden a train of carts extending twelve miles, laden with ammunition and war material. The Chinese refusal to carry Japanese food to Sinmingting originated from threats by the Russians and the Russo-Chinese Bank. The Japanese have how induced the authorities to re-open the line. The postponement of loan negotiations is part of France’s pressure to induoe the Czar to capitulate.

JAPANESE WARSHIPS OFF SINGAPORE. DISAPPEARANCE OF THE GUNS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 9.17 p.m., March 16. London, Maroh 16. Twenty-two Japanese warships have been sighted off Singapore. The discrepancy between the Japanese and Rnssian reports as to the number of guns captured at Mukden, is believed to be due to the Russians dropping guns through the ice on the rivers, or abandoning them-ip ravines. Tho Japanese expeot after a search to recover much additional artillery. General Kuropatkin olaims to have repulsed a fierce attack on the oeutre of the Russian position at Funho, over 1000 Japanese oorpses being left on the field,

PUNISHING CONSPIRATORS. * By-Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 9.17 p.m., Maroh 16. . St. Petersburg, March 16, Five leaders of the military conspiracy to avoid going to Manchuria were executed in Government Grodno; four were senienoed to imprisonment for life, and eight io 20 years.

REFUSAL OF THE LOAN. PEACE OR WAR MEANS REVOLUTION. I By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 9.16 p.m., March 16. London, Maroh 16. Lord Rothschild, interviewed, said the postponement of the Russian loan by France was tantamount to a refusal. The French know that to continue the war means a revolution; to cease the war under the present conditions also means a revolution. He does not believe the I French Government are exercising pressure for peace.

GERMANY TRYING TO KEEP GOOD I FRIENDS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright j Received 9.24 p.m., March 16. j

Berlin, March 16. Count Von Bulow, speaking in the Reichstag, said that Russia’s position as a Great Power would probably outlast the vicissitudes of the war and her internal disturbances. The correctness of Germany’s attitude to Russia was absolutely unassailable. The Russians knew that Germany would not profit by the present difficulties and great embarrassments, both Russian and Japanese. Japan could count on Germany’s striot neutrality, and Japan will respect Germany’s acquired rights in the Far Bast.

ANOTHER BRITISH STEAMER CAPTURED. By Telegraph—Frera Association—Copyright Reoeived 11,51 p.tn., March 16. i London, March 16. . Tha Japanese have captured the British steamer Tacoma with contraband for Vladivostok. The Daily Telograph’s St. Petersburg j correspondent says that the general staff Btate that 160 heavy and 760 field guns were abandoned during the retreat. I