THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1433, 18 April 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

GENERAL NEWS

y Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright j/ London, April 16. A 34. Petersburg telegram to the Echo do Paris reports that Admiral Roshdoßtvensky's last cable road: “I shall not telegraph again bofore tho battle. It beaten Togo will tell you; it victorious I shall announce it." The nowßpuper Petit Parisien reports that the Bogatyr, Bossa and Gromoboi have been repaired, and are ready to leave Vladivostok to assist Admiral Roshdestvonsky. Many colliers are arriving at Hongkong and aro awaiting orders. It is opined at Amoy that tho Russians are aiming to establish a baße at the Pescadores Islands for coaling and final preparations. The Novoe Vremya characterises the Iphigeni’B reporting o£ the whereabouts of Admiral Roshdostvensky as spying in the interests of benevolent neutrality. Gonoral Linevitch reports that Cossacks on the 10th discovered a force of Japanese in the Hunho Valley, and turned their position on two sides. The Japanese fled westward.

RUSSIANS BEING DRIVEN BACK

MINOR ENGANGEMENTS,

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Received 9,32 p.m., April 17. London, April 17.

Field Marshal Oyama reports that Japanese from Shinking, driving the enemy northwards on Friday, occupied Yingching, 35, miles north of Shinking. A dethe same force, co-operating -with cavt j&y, occupied Pachiatzu, fourteen miles northeast of Heißhehmu. I A regiment of infantry and six sotnias of cavalry and a battery, near Pachiatzu, retreated in confusion through Tieling Pass northwards.

THE RUSSIAN FLEET.

WAITING AT ANNAM. FIRING HEARD. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Received 10.26 p.m., April 17. London, April 17. The steamer Marmoras reports that she sighted five Russian battleships eight degrees south by 92 east on the 3rd, Coupled with other reports, this Bhows that they steered due east to avoid shipping, and then went to the Straits of Advices received from Saigon on Saturday state that it is believed that Admiral Roshdestvensky intends to reyictual on the coast of Annam. Le Matin’s St. Petersburg correspondent reportß that Admiral Roshdestvensky intends awaiting the arrival of Admiral Diebogatoffs squadron before meeting Admiral Togo. The steamer Telamachus, which has arrived at Hongkong, reportß having heard firing 150 miles northward of the Natuna Islands on Wednesday. The North German Lloyds steamer Prinz Heinrich has arrived at Singapore. The captain states that he sighted at noon on Friday 18 of Admiral Roshdestvensky’s vessels at Raminan’s Bay, Annam. He says there were possibly more warships inside the harbor.

JAPANESE MANCEUVRES.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Received 10.36 p.m., April 17. London, April 17. Advioes have been received from Kungchuling that a large Japanese, force is heading to Kirin, beyond reach of the Russian outposts. A large force of Ohunohuses is proceeding north, beyond reach of the Russian right. The Japanese are driving villagers into the Russian lines, causing great confusion.

AN OPINION CONCERNING THE EXPECTED BATTLE.

(An Auckland Star. reporter inter(vicwccl Captain Seott-HJarden,. the Well-known .war correspondent, concerning the expected naval battle.. Being asked what he thought asi So the general outlook* he replied :—■. f Personally, X (don’t think the Russian fleet will get through the "Strait of Corea, If they, do, we shall think again. Do you know that the Japanese have one fear—thei.r undefended coast ® .Timo after time I heard of this:. iYpu see they depleted their defences to provide guns for the siege for Port! Arthur, Now, no doubt, they, are hurrying ■them back to Japan, but I feel sure that at the present moment that is the one matter for misgiving ir 4 Japanti J* The extent of {Roslidestvensky/S, fleet i" I am qonivtnce'3. that fthe; seven battleships were sighted—the balance ofi evidence makes it clear.’’ With regard to the strength of the fleet* Captain Soott-Harden said a Roshdostvonsky’s fleet is by no means a good, fluting fleet, owing to the Jack gf uniformity; in the uafltSj fl'ha squadron* plthoulgli numerically; strong,, is not well (adapted to meeting a fleet like . Admiral Ob the other hand, it must be remembered that _ Russia has still’ some powerful ships at [Via’diyosick under Admiral- i Skryd,-? lofS’s command, and a combination will be onice more sufficient to cause (Japan great uneasiness, especially, as most of the forts at the entrance of the Inland Boa have been dismantled* as I said a moment ago.. With regard to Admiral Roshdcstvcnsky himself, X mot him several times at the Diplomatic .Club and, St. James’, Piccadilly, when Ip was nayal attache at the Russian E-’m-bassy. Pie was much liked and respected, and wrote some interesting essays on the British Navy. During the war between. China and Japan he commanded the Russian sqhadron in the Pacific,’-’ ' .