THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 16 April 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

JAPANESE SCOUTS BEATEN. General Kuropatkin telegraphs that General Krasnalild, on the night of the Bth. ordered Lieut. Dimidovitch, with a detachment of sharpshooters to cross the Yalu towards Wiju. Arriving at Somalind Island in the river, Lieut. Dimidovitch surprised and killed fifteen Japanese scouts, who were just landing. The Russians were uninjured. The British sloop of war Espiegle, left after a plan had been agreed upon for the care of the British interests and the ultimate restoration of the Niuchwang’s treaty rights. The Russians are now enabled to apply martial law to the town. RUSSIANS SINK A JAPANESE BOAT. A Russian boat, opposite Yongaraoho, sank a boat containing a number of Japanese cavalry, drowning all. Owing to a smouldering pilot’s flare on the Niuchwang bar being mistaken for Japanese lights, the Russians fired and sank a junk containing 85 hands, and also killed three and wounded seven on another junk, THE RUSSIAN BATTLESHIP PETROPAVLOYSK. STRUCK BY A TORPEDO. The Russian battleship Petropavlovsk was accidentally struck by a torpedo off Port Arthur, and was sunk. Only 20 of those on board were saved. Admiral Makaroff was drowned. A semi-official telegram has been received at stating the battleship Petropavlovsk was sunk off Port Arthur. Only four officers were saved, including the Grand Duke Cyril, who was wounded. A later message announces that the Petropavlovsk was mmoeuvring when she was accidentally struck by a torpedo. RUMOURS OF A BATTLE. Reuter’s agency reports that heavy firing was heard from five to seven on the morning of the 13th, between Tengchtou and Port \rthur. Admiral Togo reports, respecting the skirmish on the Yalu, that Lieut. Yamagichi and five scouts were returning, on Sunday, from a scouting expedition in a Korean junk when they encountered seven Russians in another junk. The latter were soon assisted by another boatload of Russians, while mounted Japanese on the river bank co-operated with Yamagichi. After fighting for eighty minutes the Russians landed and fhd. One was killed and two wounded. There were no Japanese casualties. Four hundred empty cartridges were found in the Russian junks. REVOLUTIONARY STUDENTS. Three hundred students at Kharkoff were expelled for taking part in a demonstration against the war. NEWS OF THE SEA FIGHT SUPPRESSED.

Russian silence regarding the sea fight is commented upon. Advices received at Tientsin report that the Russian squadron was cut off from its base. The Espeigle, which has arrived at Wei-hei-wai, reports having sighted at a quarter to six on the 13th, five Japanese warships engaging the cruiser Rayan, of 7800 tons. The latter was proceeding to Port Arthur from the north-east. The Askold and another warship left Port Arthur to assist the Bayan, which was damaged and quantities of steam were escaping. The Russians got to shelter. The Japanese, at eight o’clock, bombarded the forts, which did not reply, and the Japanese then retired to the east. A Times’ ethergram report from off Port Arthur states the Japanese torpedo craft in the small hours of the morning attacked Port Arthur. Six cruisers covered the attack, and Admiral Mikasi brought five other battleships and six cruisers, including the Kasuga and the Nisahan, within six miles of the port The bombardment commenced at a quarter to ten, and half an hour afterwards the shore batteries replied desultorily. Admiral Togo, which seemed to be making a demonstration, withdrew at noon. MEAGRE DETAILS OF THE PETROPAVLOYSK DISASTER. The Russian official report of the Petropavlovak disaster mentions that the Japanese fleet was at Liaotoshan, and that the Grand Duke Boris, a brother of Duke Cyril, witnessed the disaster from the shore.

The Kaiser telegraphed :—“ Russia’s mourning is Germany’s. Admiral Makaroif s death is a loss to the navies of the whole world.” The Times suggests that the disaster occurred in the early hours of the morning, and that, possibly, she was caught by Japanese torpedoers. The Times adds that it is likely the Russians, deprived of their leader, retired into the harbour before Admiral Mikasi and the Japanese warships arrived. A MERCILESS WAR. Major-General Mishtehenks, who is a brigade on the

Korean frontier, when informed that surprise had been expressed that nothing had been heard about Japanese prisoners on the frontier, replied ;—“ We have arms,' but ropes !” The remark is interpreted to mean that the war will be waged mercilessly. THE JAPANESE FORCE A FIGHT, Admiral Uriu has informed Tokio that Admiral Togo sunk the Russian battleship Petropavlovsk and a class one torpedo destroyer at a cost of only one wounded. A Chefu telegram which, however, lacks confirmation, has reached Rome stating Admiral Togo’s fleet, concealed at the back of Madoo Islands attacked Admiral Makaroffs fleet when it came out of Port Arthur. The speedier Japanese vessels intercepted the retreat, forcing a fight, and all the Russian ships were damaged. The telegram adds that the Petropavlovsk was struck by five torpedoes. Admiral Makaroff and Admiral Malao were in the conning tower and were drowned with 850 others. A company of Japanese drove back Russians who were crossing the Yalu westward of Wiju, killing twenty-two.