THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 19 April 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

THE RUSSIAN SQUADRON REDUGED TO THREE SHIPS. Prince Ukhtomsky confirms the 1 loss of the torpedo destroyer Bezfcrachrii. She was sent at night to reconnoitre. Five of those on board were saved. It is officially reported that a submarine mine hit the battleship Pobleda (12,674 tons) amidships, but she regained Port Arthur. This reduces the uninjured squadron to the battleships Sevastopol and the Peresviet, and possibly the cruiser Bayan. RUSSIANS DRAWN TO DESTRUCTION. Reuter’s agency learns from Japanese sources that Wednesday’s attack w is planned, and that the torpedoers, ostensibly making a demonstration, were really laying mines across the outer entrance to the harbour. They then rejoined the main squadron, which advanced with the object of drawing out the Russian fleet. The Petropavlovsk, emerging from the harbour, struck a Japanese mine. JAPS SINK A RUSSIAN WARSHIP. The Russian warship Sevastopol, when recently manoeuvring, rammed the Poltava. The Russians admit the enemy’s torpedoers surrounded and sank the BeZtrschni. Fifty of those on board perished. The Daily Mail states the Petropavlovsk sank in 2J minutes. RUSSIAN VERSION OF THE DISASTER. Russian details to hand state the Petropavlovsk was retiring before a superior force and was preparing to re-enter Fort Arthur at eight in the morning. While the Admiral and crew were breakfasting the boilers suddenly exploded, followed by the magazine explosion. Water rushed in through huge gaps in the hull of the ship, and she capsized. None of those who were between decks escaped. Those precipitated into the sea were rescued by torpedoers if unable to swim. PORT ARTHUR BOMBARDED. Admiral Togo’s fleet, on the horizon, witnessed the Petropavlovsk disaster. The bombardment of Port Arthur was intermittent on Thursday. It was renewed again on Friday. Extreme depression prevails in St. Petersburg. The churches are Crowded and society functions have been suspended. The Czar has economised the Royal household expenditure to the extent of a million roubles, and the money is to be handed to the war treasury. KOREAN KING’S PALACE BURNT. The King’s palace at Seoul was destroyed by fire. The King narrowly escaped. The fire" is supposed to .be the work of Korean opponents of Japanese influence. FURTHER NAVAL STRUGGLE HOPELESS. The Daily Telegraph’s St. Petersburg correspondent says that Russia considers a further naval struggle hopeless, and efforts must be concentrated on the army. Advices received at Washington state that Russia has notified the newspaper correspondents using wireless telegraphy that they will be treated as spies and shot. The Strashni, with four other destroyers, was scouting when she dropped her consorts in a fog. While endeavouring at daybreak to creep along the shore to Port Arthur she was intercepted and sunk. RUSSIANS ON THE YALU. Tokio reports that there are twenty thousand Russians on the north bank of the Yalu. The Japanese main force is at Wiju, landing at Chulien. a distance of forty miles. Two Japanese staff officers, attired as Thibetan Lamas, have been arrested for endeavouring to dynamite a railway bridge over the river Nonni, on the Manchurian railway.