TELEGRAPHIC

Kaikoura Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 13, 16 February 1904, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC

RUSSIA AND JAPAN JAPANESE CAPTURED SEVERAL TRANSPORTS. PANIC AT PORT ARTHUR. DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING. London, Feb 11 In the second fight the Russian torpedo boats gallantly dashed for the Japanese fleet, but they exnerienced such a terrific fire that they retreated behind the battleships. Half an hour’s furious fighting followed, the shore batteries joining in. A shell disabled the Poltava,_ and almost immediately a shot from a fort disabled the Diana ; then the Novik and Askold, becoming too venturesome, were severely punished, and retreated, both being beached. The Japanese fleet is coaling at sea and is expected to return to Port Arthur shortly. Several Russian transports, with some thousand troops, have been captured, also several whalers ami a steamer. Russian gunboat Mandjur, which was in dock at Shanghai and not at Nagasaki, as previously stated, has put to sea. Telegram from the Vladivostock squadron states that the cruisers there are about to run the gauntlet to Port Arthur. In connection with the attack on Port Arthur on Monday flight, it transpires that the Japanese commander, disguised as a servant, accompanied Japanese Consul, who was sent to remove Japanese residents from Port Arthur. The commander noted the position of the Russian ships and that they were not under steam or watchful. He subsequently communicated the information.

Russian troops are concentrated along the Yalu River. Russia has despatched 72 guns, thus completing her artillery in the Far East. flapanfese troops Rave occupied Sjßoiil. r e • The Japanese destroyed a bridge on the Manchurian railway, killing 30 Russians. Britain and America, proclaim neutrality today. The Russian public regard the situation with much seriousness. A panic has occurred at Port Arthur, the soldiers showing signs of getting out of hand. They are. clamouring for Kurapatkin as commander. The officers condemn Admiral Alexieff’s lack of prudence and foresight, calling him a draw-ing-room commander. Owing to danger of passing a train across the ice on Lake Baikal, troops crossed on foot. There is no confirmation of the statement that the. French have occupied Shanhaikwan, after being evacuated by Russia. Japan has seized Masampho, in South-Eastern Corea, and intends to make it a naval and military base. Feb 12 Russian naval department assert that 6 Japanese ships were slightly damaged and that 50 Japanese were killed and 150 wounded in the Port Arthur fight. Accounts -which have reached Tokio show that the Japanese fleet attacked under heavy fire from the torpedo boats, and crept, unperceived, close in sh'ore between the Russian ships and the shore. When the Russian ships began to give way, trying to enter the harbor, the torpedo boats sank three of them at the entrance. American accounts state that three torpedo boats sank."