THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1435, 20 April 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

THE BALTIC FLEET.

GENERAL NEWS,

By Telegraph—Prose Asoociation—Oopyrighl

London, April 17. Reuter’s Saigon agont reports that tho Japanese captured a large number of colliers off tho coast.

Admiral Cuvervilla, the French Senate's reporter on the naval estimates, predicts a sovoro dofoat of tho Russians, whose disabled vessels will be compelled to disarm in neutral ports.

Hongkong telegrams report that a portion of tho Baltic fleet was seen at Turan Bay, north of Kamranhs Bay, on Sunday. It is officially reported at Tokio that the Japanese defeated the Russians near Heishihmu, ton miles north-east of Tsangishih, pursuing them further east. The Laily Telegraph states that of 500 Russian guns abandoned at Mukden 200 have been recovered.

Marshal Oyama reports that on the night of tho 15th five squadrons of Russian cavalry entered Snnyenching, between Fenghua and Fskumen, the Japanese attacking and expelling the Russians. Le Temps’ St. Petersburg corresponden says that Admiral Roshdestvensky doubt less ran close to the Cochin China coast to coal and scrape his ships’ bottoms. Nowspaper correspondents at Tokio report that the Japanese calculate that Admiral Roshdestvensky was 48 hours at Kamranhs Bay before he was sighted. His prolonged stay has caused surprise. It is expected that Japan will make immediate representations to France. M. Delcasse has denied that Admiral Rosbdestvensky was within the territorial waters of Madagascar. If an analogous denial is given in the prosent instance Japan will be enabled to attack Admiral Roshdeatvensky without violating France's neutrality.

Admiral Deponzuieres rejoined his cruiser at Kamranhs Bay. A number of Russian vessels aro still anchored in the vicinity.

Tho Times’ St. Petersburg correspond ent says there are indications that Admira

Roshdestvensky is manoeuvring his fleet, and that the two divisions are in close mutual touch.

The Laily Mail’s Singapore correspondent reports that the Baltic fleet was seen coaling and provisioning. The Prize Court at Nagasaki rejected the appeal of the steamer Nigritia. General Linevitch reports that a Russian column, showing much dariug, cleverly executed a reconnaisance at Meian, 40 miles south-east of Tieling. It captured several positions, and brought confirmation of a wide flanking movement in the direction of Kirin.

Japan has announced defensive zones al Gensan and Fsugaru Straits.

London, April 18. Merchantmen are required to pass the Pescadores at a distance of seven miles.

Neutrals are obliged to obtain permission to enter Kslung, Formosa.

It is believed at Tokio that the Russian fleet will give Formosa a wide' berth. The Daily Mail’s Singapore correspondent reports that the Piinz Heinrich passed five Russian battleships and six ernisers.

Naval exports on Saturday anticipated that Admiral Roshdestvensky, not desiring to be burdened with tbe protection of an unweiidy convoy when he meets Admiral Togo, will probably send his colliers to the Bay of Along or other shelter to await the result of the battle.

Experts anticipate ' that Admiral Togo at the outset will hurl many cruisers for the purpose of torpedoing and ramming the enemy’s fleet at the risk of absolutely sacrificing some, in order to re-establish the balance between his primary elements and the enemy’s battleships. The likely onslaught is oompared to a cavalry charge.

Pariß, April 17. Le Matin’s St. Petersburg correspondent reports that there is great irritation amongst the general staff against Great Britain. Admiral Roshdestvensky is complaining that British warships are wirelessly informing the Japanese for , a distance of 200 miles as to his whereabouts.

Tokio, April 17. The Mikado is appalled at the terrible sufferings of the troops through the cold in Manchuria, and has ordered that there shall be no fires in the palaces until the war is over.

St. Petersburg, April 17. The Russian Gazette says that at any range under five miles Japan possesses overwhelming gunnery advantages, and that Admiral Roshdestvensky’s chance only is to fight at from an eight .to five mile range. ...

It is officially reported that out of 1,004,075 men liable to serve last year 21,489 have not joined the colors, although not exempted. Out of 57,440 Jews liable for service 21,164 deserted. The number of deserters was greater in some provinces than others, ranging from 41 per cent in Yitsbok to 63 in Volna and 84 in Kovno. St. Petersburg, April 18. The Russian Minister of Marine has ordered the completion of the torpedoers Zadomy, Zvorsky, and Zorky, eaoh of 300 tons, building at NikolaiefS yard, on the Black Sea, where two 6000-ton oruisers are being hurried forward.

REPORTS OF WARSHIPS.

QUESTION OF NEUTRALITY.

IMPORTANT PURCHASES BY

BALTIC FLEET,

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright Bsceived 9.45 p.m,, April 19. London, April 19. Banter's agency at Manila reports that three warships of unknown nationality were sighted oS Bobangas at dawn to-day. The Daily Mail’s Singapore correspondent reports that Bussian agents cut the Foo-chow-Tam9in cable. The Daily Mail’s Manila correspondent reports that sixteen Japanese cruisers and destroyers are sooutiug at Sampalok Point. Six Buesian colliers are reported to be in the Lingayen Gulf. Beoeivod 9,53 p.m., April 19. There are 200,000 Hessians on the Changchun-Kirin lino and southwards. Le Temp 3 says that Admiral Koshdestvensky, while at Madagascar, remained outside the limit of French territorial water. There was no evidenoe that he would show less reserve in Indo-China. Le Temps is convinced that Japan will approach an inquiry regarding the stay at Kermank in a reasonable, moderate spirit, knowing that France had heretofore etric:ly fulfilled the dnties of neutrality. Important purchases made at Saigon have been delivered to the portion of the Baltic fleet no,w off the coast of Indo China