THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1410, 22 March 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

GENERAL NEWS,

A PROPHECY BY JAPANESE. HABBIN, VLADIVOSTOK, AND SAG HALIEN TO BE CAPTURED.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, March 20.

Baron Suyematsu, interviewed by Le Matin, Paris, said that within six months Harbin, Vladivostok, Saghalien, and the whole Siberian seaboard would bo in Japan’s hands. Thou quite terms would bo imposed than would by» accepted now. , Details of Generals Oku’a- and Nogi’s turning movement early in the month show that the whole success of the attack on Mukden depended on their ability to fulfil their allotted tasks.

{ General Oku’s comparatively small force oppoaod a very strong Russian army intended to cover the main body’s retreat. General Nogi was compelled to deal with the main body. After cutting the railway General Nogi guarded the gap, but a vastly superior force of retreating Russians compelled him to quit the railway. ", General Oku meantime was desperately fighting a superior force, which was entrenched in the villages in an angle north of the Hunho and west of the railway, At the most critical moment on the night of the 'Bth, General Nogi, fearing that the retreaters would overwhelm him, asked for reinforcements.

General Oku, taking desperate chances, detaohed a division and sent it to General Nogi. With his remaining division General Oku desperately attacked the Russian line and lost thousands in a vain attempt to pierce it. The Russians, hy a fierce counter-attack, endeavored to break through, but did not succeed, though they almost annihilated two Japanese regiments. The fighting m this part was the bloodiest in the entire war.

General Oku’s losses were 15,000, and the Russian heavier.

General Nogi, with the extra division, prevented the Russians outting through his line with a view to surrounding and crushing him, and he re-occupied the railway.

Generals Oku’s and Nogi’s desperate fighting alone averted the frustration of Field-Marshal Oyama’s planß. General Oku sacrificed thousands to. secure the position essential to prevent a terrible disaster to his army. He has been awarded the highest honors in the Japanese service. —namely, Field-Marshal Oyama’s written praise. 1 . • j '. ■ The stubborn way the Japanese second army held the line primarily forced the Russians to retreat, inasmuch as it gave General Nodzu an opportunity to attack and expel the Russians from their stronghold south of the Hunho, necessitating a general hurried retirement. The Japanese found guns buried at Mukden. It is believed at Tokio that 400 guns were thrown into the river. General Eamamura, on the 15th, brilliantly routed three divisions south of Tieling. There are many fugitives, without food, living on dead horses.

Private advices from Harbin state that only 60 surgeons and 150 nurses attend 70,000 sick and wounded. One hundred and eighty thousand oarloads of grain are accumulated in Russia because the rolling stock and locomotives have been diverted to Siberia.

JAPANESE MOBILITY. FIGHTERS ENTRAIN FOR FRESH WORK 140 MILES OFF.

Byj “Electric Telegraph—Per Press Association!—Coipy right. Received 11 p.m., March 21. London, March 21. The Japanese on the' 19th occupied Kaiyuen and repulsed a counter attack. Belated messages show that the Japanese were inferior in guns in the Mukden battle. Two battalions eastwards, firing after the Russian line was pierced, entrained and arrived at Guenyuling, 140 miles northwards.

RUSSIA TO CONTINUE THE WAR INDICATIONS OF A FURTHER RAPID RETREAT.

Bjj Electric Telegraph—Per Press A ssoci ation,—Copy right. Beceived 11.10 p.m., March 21. London, March 21. The Times’ St. Petersburg correspondent reports that the Council of War decided to oontinue the campaign, and ordered mobilisation. Trustworthy information interprets the decision as diplomatic rather than military. The Daily Express declares that Russia is bluffing and anxious to impress Japan that another formidable'campaign is in prospect. - • ' The Times states that General Kuropatkin on Saturday was at KuntuleDg, and on Sunday commanded the first army, which is in the rearguard, the inference being that the rapid retreat will be continued.