THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 5 March 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

The Russians declare that they found inside Port Arthur, at low tide, the Japanese torpedo destroyer sunk last week.

There are many Russian spies in Japanese ports. A captured Tartar, disguised as a coolie aboard the Japanese transport, drilled with the troops. He tried to escape, but was shot dead. Five Russian torpedoers at Port Said have started for Algiers and will watch for vessels carrying contraband.

A request has been made, to allow the cruiser Dimitiri Donskoi to a fortnight for repairs at Suez, qjy Frost bites at Baikal renderedthousand troops permanently unfit for service. TRYING TO INTERCEPT JAPANESE COLLIERS. A REPLY TO LA.MSDORPE’S CIRCULAR.

Other Russian cruisers are hovering about at the entrance to the channel and in the vicinity cl Algiers.

The Dimitri Donskoi has been allowed five days to effect repairs at Suez.

The Japanese are paying liberally for everything in Korea. They are behaving with great orderliness and are winning golden opinions. Japan has published an argumentative reply to Count Lamsdorffs recent circular alleging that the Japanese were guilty of treachery. It cites facts and figures showing that Russia for many months accelerated warlike preparations; that she exhibited no inclination to be friends or for negotiations, and sought to force Japan into submission by dint of military preponderance.

RUSSIA APOLOGISES TO AMERICA.

Russia has apologised to the Unit&d * States for stating that the American gunboat Vicksburg refused to succourthe Varyag’s crew after the Chemulpho fight, and blamed Britain for circulating the original report. The American press declares there will be trouble if Russia enforces her declarations regarding contraband of war in a harsh spirit, especially that dealing with foodstuffs. SQUADRON BOTTLED UP. War correspondent Morris states that there are 7200 troops at Vladivostok with four months’ provisions, and that the merchants and others are forming a volunteer cavalry force. He adds that the cruiser squadron is bottled in the harbour by the Japanese ships' patrolling the vicinity. The artillerymen in the forts are sleeping alongside the guns expecting a bombardment. The strength of the Russians at Antung is 2000.

A considerable concentration of Japanese troops is being made at Hwangju, Some additional Japanese warships are permanently stationed at Prince Jerome Gulf, which is southwards of Chemulpho Inlet. A NATIVE REVERSE. Advices from Ying-kow rariV that five hundred Chunchuses, arined with Mannlicher rifles, attacked a Russian post numbering fifty at Etching. and were repulsed with a loss of 87. The Russian casualties numbered 42.

The Japanese do not anticipate any important engagement south of Yalu. The indications are that the Russians will make Yalu the line of resistance to the Japanese advance. JAPANESE BODIES WASHED ASHORE.

The bodies of flfty Japanese were washed ashore near Weihaiwai. They are supposed to have belonged to the gunboat cabled by the St. James’ Gazette’s correspondent on Sunday as having been sunk off Chifu, after taking part in the Port Arthur attack. JAPS ON THE MOVE.

An impression prevails that there are three expeditionary forces moving respectively upon Port Arthur, Vladivostock and Yalu. Intense

secrecy is maintained in regard to the plans, which are only known to the Mikado, the Minister for War, and the highest staff olEcers.

SUBMARINES FOR RUSSIA,

Founderies at St. Petersburg have been ordered to construct immediately six Djewetski submarines, which, it is declared, will be superior to the French type.

The Standard’s Tientsin correspondent states the Russians are strongly fortifying places south of Mukden. Thousands of unpaid coolies are working day and night on the ramparts and entrenchments under harsh treatment.

One thousand troops have been ordered to Malta, placing the infantry there on an effective strength. The British military authorities at Tientsin deported the editor of the China Times for disparagingly referring to the Russian administration at Port Arthur and Vladivostok.

Fifty-three foreign newspaper correspondents are to be allowed to accompany the Japanese forces, including 29 Englishmen and 17 Americans.

The Japanese Premier states the <g)ujtepondents will not be permitted is\JPooeed to the front until the first heavy land battle has been fought.