THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 29 March 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

A White Book issued shows that the last Japanese Note offered 4o recognise Manchuria as outside her political sphere, provided Russia recognised Korea as outside hers. This concession seems to have convinced Russia that Japan would sacrifice anything instead of fighting. The Times’ Niuchwang correspon dent states that the river ice has broken up. ' RUSSIAN CRUISER BLOWN

UP. A SPY EXECUTED.

German advices state a Japanese mine destroyed the cruiser Bayan (7800 tons), and not the destroyer Skori. The majority of the crew perished. The employment of the Retvisan as a stationary battery has seriously loosened her plates. The dismantling of the Russian gunboat Mandjur is persistently delayed, and a Japanese cruiser is still delayed at Woosung.

Mr Davidson, the American Consul, has arrived at Shanghai, and proceeds to Antung in a week. The Japanese executed a Korean for acting as a Russian spy at Pingyang. Admiral Wirenus has been ordered to stay at Piraeus (in the Mediterranean) until arrangements have been made for the supply of coal from the Russian colliers.

Herculean efforts are being made to prepare the Baltic fleet to sail for tbe East in July, coaling from transports en route. THE PORT ARTHUR BOMBARDMENTS. A British merchant who was resident at Port Arthur for three years, has arrived at Shanghai. He ridiculed the report that the defenders are in an unfavourable position and alleges that the bombardments have done little harm and supplies are entering freely. He also says the fleet la rapidly making ready to regain command of the sea. A city correspondent of the Daily Chronicle reports that Russian agents have vainly tried in France, Germany, and England to raise a loan. He adds that she has no alternative but is forced to issue paper currency.

The Japanese again attempted to block the entrance to Port Arthur with four merchantmen, which, however, the fortress sank. The channel remains unblocked.

Admiral Makar off reports that he left Port Arthur on the 26th with battleships, cruisers, and torpedoers to reconnaisance the adjacent islands.

General Kuropatkin has arrived at Harbin.

A St. Petersburg telegram states that in consequence of the advance of forty thousand Japanese, the Russians retired upon the retrenchments at the Yalu river. The Japanese advance guards, with artillery, are 40 miles south of the river.

The ice is breaking on the Yalu. The Japanese are expected to attempt a crossing, with the assistance of gunboats, which have already arrived.