THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 31 March 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

VESSELS SUNK BY THE RUSSIANS, Russian accounts state that six Japanese torpedo destroyers, accompanied by sixteen warships, conveyed four 2000-ton merchantmen, intended to be used as fire ships, to the entrance of Port Arthur. At two o’clock in the morning the Russian guardship and ihe shore batteries opened on the fleet bombarding the forts, but Krinitujl, commanding the torpedo Filyn, torpedoed the foremost merchantman in the bow. The merchantman turned to the right, and with two other steamers, which had been struck from the forts, stranded beside the fairway. The fourth sank nearer the former wreck.

Seven of the Silyn’s seamen were killed in a light with a destroyer. Krinifcujl and twelve seamen wore wounded. The merchantmen’s crows escaped in boats. ■A shell damaged the Silyn’s engines and she was stranded, but was refloated again. The Japanese convoy retired at four o’clock, but the fleet re-ap peared at 5.30. The Russians advanced to meet it, but the Japanese withdrew. Admiral ’ Makaroff found a oneinch Hotchkiss aboard the merchantman which had been used against the Russian torpedo boats. Admiral Makaroff reports that Lieutenant Kedroff and Ensign Pellandsky boarded one of the steamers the moment she stopped, cut the electric wires and extinguished the fire intended to illuminate the entrance to the harbour.

A floating mine was afterwards found bearing an infernal machine. The Russian torpedo destroyer, Dinni, struck a rock when entering the harbour at Algiers, and was extensively damaged. The landing of Japanese troops, with one hundred and eighty guns, at Chinampho, has been completed. NIUCHWANG UNDER MARTIAL LAW. The Russians have proclaimed Niuchwang to be under martial law. Admiral Makaroff’s patrol • outside Port Arthur on the 26th was extended for thirty miles south-west. On Sunday the Japanese drew away from Port Arthur in two divi sions in echelon formation, torpedoers going like an antennal ahead, while the destroyers which flanked the divisions showed no signs or effects of hard usage. Admiral Makaroff’s ships, using Japanese coal, are visible for a distance of twenty miles, while Admiral Togo’s, using Welch coal, are almost smokeless. The loft wing of the Japanese army is at Paksan, thirteen miles north-wr-st of Anju. The right wing is marching on Kangge, ninety miles north-west of Anju, CIVILIANS ORDERED TO LE WE VLADIVOSTOK. Russia, in declaring Niuchwang to bo under a state of war, annuls the neutral Powers’ treaty rights and interferes with consular jurisdiction, ft is believed it is intended as a challenge to the neutral Powers. Chinese brigands are colectins: near the town in readiness to plunder the town in the event of a Russian retreat. Lieut-General Yorgnetz, com mandant of Vladivostock, has directed civilians not possessing eight months’ supplies to leave the town, A junk which has arrived at Wei-hai-wei states that eleven Russian seaworthy ships were manoeuvring yesterday in the vicinity of the Japanese fleet. The Times’ Tokio correspondent reports that Japan has made preparations for a two years’ struggle.

The Standard states that at General Kuropatkin’s request four more army corps, from Warsaw, Vilna, and ivieff, are going to the front. The Daily Telegraph, commenting on the statement that Russian soldiers at Niuchwang hauled the British and American flags from private buildings, says that, strictly speaking, under international law, redress should he sought through China, but Lord Lansdownc and Colonel Hay are unlikely to do so. The .doscow correspondent of the Telegraph, apropos of another subject, says the Russians take it for granted that M. Lessar will compel China to show her hand, and war between China and Russia will soon be inevitable. ACTIVITY OF JAPANESE. The J apanese attempt to float high explosives into tport Arthur upon

innocent bits of wreckage was frustrated. ’ \ ToLio correspondents two hundred transports are conveying coal and troops to a secret flying base 120 miles from Port Arthur. The Daily Mail states the Japanese are taking soundings in Chiagwanghao harbuor, and the Chinese officials have been authorised to place the Shanbaikwan railway at Japan’s disposal. The agents of British and American firms in St. Petersburg report that unless the hostile tone of the American and British press is modified commercial orders for wool, cotton, and metal goods will be diverted to Persia and Germany. The St. Petersburg newspaper Npvosti, in acknowledgieg that the British are absolutely correct in their attitude over the war, advocate an Anglo-French-Russian alliance, thus ensuring a universal peace. It considers the outstanding difficulties could be easily arranged. Three British battleships and six cruisers have sailed from Hong Kong northwards.