THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1458, 19 May 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

GENERAL NEW®,

By Telegraph—Presß Assooiation —Copyright

London, May 17. The Russian Admiralty hold that Admiral Roshdestvonsky is as much entitled to revisit Hongkoho as to visit any port in French waters for the first time. _ The Dutch steamer Wilhelmino, insured i in London for £72,000 has been confiscated I by the Prize Court at Sasebo. A German ship which has arrived at Hongkong reports that she saw fifty vso- - of the Baltic fleet at Hongkoho on the 14tb. „ j Admiral Biriloff has been ordered to oommond the ships of the fourth Baltic fleet, which are to bo in roadinesß to leave Kronstadt on June 14tb. The Japanese steamer Ohuyethumaru struck a mine on Sunday and was beached at Elliot Island.” Hongkong and Singapore are in a complete state of defence. Coupled withreinforoements on the British China station, thiß is interpreted at Tokio as a virtual demonstration by Britain. Baron Suyematsu, in a letter to the Matin, Paris, Bays the absence of the 24 hours’ rule cannot imply that warships will be allowed an unlimited stay French waters. Russia herself adopted 24 hours, and when the Ozar ordered Roshdestvenßky to leave his obstinate sojourn i on the coast of Indo-China, the affront i towards France was an act of disobedience of his own Government.

THE COMING BATTLE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright Received 9.10 p.m., May 18. London, May 18. The Japanese fleet cruising below Formosa are receiving nightly orders from Amoy. It is believed an engagement with the Baltic fleet is foreshadowed south of Formosa.

ROSHDESTVENSKY’S DEFIANT ATTITUDE. NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENT’S EXPERIENCE.

By, Electric Telegraph'—Per Press Association, 1 —Copyright. Received 10.30 p.m., May 18. London, May 18.

Advices have been received from Saigon that Admiral Roshdestvensky consistently displayed absolute contempt for the excitement created by his prolonged presence off Indo-China, and its bearing on neutrality. He behaved as if the charge entrusted to him involved complete independence. He declared he would act as he saw fit. The transport Kamskhatka stopped a jnnk off Dayot and arrested Baroi, a newspaper correspondent, bound him, and conveyed him to Admiral Diebogatoff’s flagship. After he was subjected to an examination he was made welcome and released.

BALTIC FLEET. PLAGUE RAGING AT HARBIN. 300 DEATHS DAILY. Bjs Telegraph—Press 'AssociationCopyright. Received 11.27 p.m., May 18. London, May 18. Governor Le Beau and Admiral Jonquieres report that the Baltic fleet has not been seen in Indo-China waters for several days. Reliable information has reached Tokio that plague is raging in Harbin. There arc three hundred deaths daily and only a few recoveries. The medical staff is inadequate and the hospitals arc full.