OUTBREAK OF WAR IN THE FAR EAST.

Manawatu Herald, 13 February 1904, Page 2

OUTBREAK OF WAR IN THE FAR EAST.

JAPS MEAN BUSINESS.

The New York Herala states that at eleven in the mornid£ sixteen Japanese warships appeared P n the horizon in the fine order and opened fire within a quarter-of-an-houf| landing a twelve-inch shell near the torpedoers grouped; around the'entrance to the harbour and disabled battleships. The bombardment lasted for an hour, the Japanese shooting well, heavy shells bursting orl the summit of one fort, along the face i?f the cliffs and beach.

Many Russian shells fell short. A shell from a Japaneso warship struck a Russian warship at the base of the forward funnel and another hit a battleship amidships. A third shell struck another battleship near the stern.

The Russian cruiser Novik fought pluckily, keeping by far the closest to the enemy until a heavy concentrated fire compelled her to retire on the battleships. HOW THE COMBATANTS

r - FOUGHT.

According to the Herald’s account the Russian vessels fought with little formation, probably owing to their cramped position, being always within a raile-and-a-half of the shore and under the guns of the forts, which occasionally fired over them. The Japanese kept a splendid formation, retiring in line, to the southeastward, at about midday.

The Russians forbade the Columbia to leave the roadstead, but when tba shells were bursting around tha steamed for Chefu, carrying Tin Wail guards aboard. When she ITS“ were kytag, by means of pumps the usa of collision mats, to stop tufi holes in the battleship in order to take them inside at high water. It is reported Russian troops have crossed the Yalu river and are marching on Seoul (the capital of Korea).

COMPLICATIONS FEARED.

FRANCE MAY ASSIST RUSSIA.

Colonel Hay’s (the U.S.A. Secretary of State’s) Note—which asks the Powers to unite in warning the combatants that China's neutrality and integrity must be recognised during the hostilities and afterwards —aims at the prevention of the in-’ vasion of China proper southwards of Phanhaikwan. It was at first pro-j posed to include Korea and Mififc. churia in the prohibited sphere, afterwards it was considered better to leave the Powers to determine . the position of these regions after the war. Colonel Hay sent the Note to Russia and Japan at the same time, requesting the neutral Powers to similarly address the belligerents. It is believed the suggestions were well received.

The newspaper Le Temps states ■he stress of events may lead to the strengthening of the Francp-Rusaian alliance. France is acting in accord with those desiring to localise the struggle and will prevent others profiting at Russia’s expense.

TWO RUSSIAN WAR VESSELS SURRENDER,

WITHOUT FIRING A SHOT.

France is sending a battalion of Tonkin troops to garrison the Shanhaikwan forts which Russia is vacating.

The British officer in charge at Shanhaikwan has protested against the French occupation. ~ ; / The French squadron in the Far East has been ordered not to leave French waters. ! r

Serious differences exist over the command of the Russian land forces... Admiral Alcxieff’s friends) object to General Kuropatkin, who was aprL’ pointed to command the land forces.

The Russian mail steamer Mon-p golia has been captured off .Shan-!, tung. ’ ' ■ '

A strong Japanese torpedo division, with cruisers escorting the transport, reached Chemulpho on Sunday, find directed the Russian cruiser Varyagp and gunboat Coreetz to surrender, which was done without resistance.

Eight thousand troops were quickly landed, and commenced to march ofi; Seoul. ... |

BRITAIN MAKING PREFAB ATIONS. .

The Pall Mall Gazette says. Ad-, miral Alexieff is in a stark dilemnC* He must submit to remain under the guns of Port Arthur or fight under conditions rendering defeat a foregone conclusion. The situation- re-.-sembles that of Admiral Ceveraa at Santiago.

Britain, France, and Japan sup-,,' port Colonel Hay’s Note. has not replied.

Admiral Sir E. H. Edward Seymour (the famous naval strategist) applaulsthe Japanese coup, which secures the superiority of their battleships. . K

The St. James’ Gazette, states the* naval officers at White Hall there is no feverish anxiety, but naval preparations are quietly proceeding.

It is expected that the battleshipsFormidable and Russell will be sent to China.

t is believed the Japanese torpeuoers issued from Wei-hai-wei,

THE PORT ARTHUR FIGHT. RUSSIAN LOSSES. The Russian losses by the bom- « bardment on the morning of the 9th, was ten killed, two officers and 5i men wounded. The Russian warships Poltava and Novik were damaged below the water line. The fortress received little damage. Admiral Alcxieff’s report on the events of the night of the Bth is that no ships were sunk or boilers damaged. The Czarevitch's steering gear and Retvitzan’s pumping gear were damaged. The Pallada was damaged while nearing the enemy’s ships. Two seamen were killed, five drowned, and eight wounded. No allusion is made to the beaching, although all the correspondents confirm the reports in that connco-

tion, THE ATTACK UNEXPECTED. The Russian flaefc took three days to work out of ice-bound Port Arthur. They were lying in the open roadstead, outside the boom, at the time of the attack. A Japanese official message states the Russian warships Coreetz and Varyag, quitted Choraulpho and fought for an hour against Admiral Uriu’s division. After receiving injury they took refuge among the islands, whsre the Yaryag was sunk, and the Coreetz exploded. The crews of both vessels took refuge aboard a French cruiser. There is. great stupefaction in Russia, mingled with indignation at Japan causing a rupture without awaiting a reply to her Note. RUSSIANS FIRE FIRST SHOT. When Admiral Uriu’s squadron appeared opposite Chemulpho the Russian 'vessels tried to c ape. When torpedoerq steamed across the|r jbowq the Russian warship Varyag fired the first shot of the war.

torpedoers then, twice, fruitlessly tried to torpedo them, but the Russians returned to harbour. The next day Admiral Uriu threatened to attack unless they .left. The Varyag tried to gain shelter amongst the adjacent islands. A running fight ensued, the Japanese making much the best shooting. The Coreetz caught fire and the flames spread to the magazine and caused an explosion. PANIC AMONGST RUSSIANS. Thera is a panic at Port Arthur and Dalny, the soldiery showing signs of getting out of hand. Officers condemn Admiral AlexiefiPs lack of prudence and foresight, and pronounce him to be a drawingroom commander. Japan has seized Mosampho (a Korean port) and intend to make it a naval and military base. Japan has issued a formal declaration declaring a state of war, Germany has agreed with Colonel Hay’s suggestion. The Jews on tie Atlantic coast, Georgina, have initiated a fund to provide Japan with a warship. Owing to the danger of passing a train across the ice on Lake Baikal, the troops will traverse the lake i«a*afoot, while war material and provisions will be transported by means of a temporary railway. .JE vLOUS OFFICERS, The mobilisation of Russian troops in Manchuria is anidly proceeding. The soldiery at Dalny and Port ArthGFare clamouring for General Kuropatkin to be appointed commander. RUSSIA'S STRENGTH OVERESTIMATED. The Russian warship Smolensk was allowed, at Port Said, to take aboard sufficient coal to carry her to the nearest home port, but she entered*the-canal with a torpedoer. The Smolensk is the largest and fastest of the volunteer fleet. A hundred Japanese who are still at Vladivostock are awaiting repatriation. They complain that their houses have been destroyed, their jewellWy and furniture stolen, their lives threatened, and the police are indifferent. General. lan Hamilton has been attached to the Japanese army. In consequence of this appointment General Hildyard will assume command in South Africa. /Ebetrls no confirmation of the statement.that the French have succeeded the Russians at Shanhai-

kwam Dr Morrison, the Tunes correspondent, savs Russia’s exaggerated statements ur to the number of Cossacks in Manchuria is due to M. Pegier’s claim, in 1900, for an in-

demnity of eighteen millions sterling for military expenses on the ground that Russia had 179,000 men in the field, while, in reality, there were under 50,000. Ninety per cent, of the claim Was, however, conceded.

The Times says it is clear the Korietz (?Coreetz) opened fire hours before Port Arthur was attacked. This disposes of Prussia's complaint that Japan has assumed the offensive.