THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 19 May 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

RUSSIAN ARMY IN DANGER. Critics consider the Russian army with a front of nearly a hundred miles, from Mukden to Niuchwang, facing east in a parellel single line, with only a single line of retreat, is in considerable danger of being enveloped by the Japanese contemplated two wide sweeping movements The Daily Chronicle's Shanhaikwan correspondent states that firing has been heard near Niuchwang, and it is rumoured the Japanese are driving the Russians, like sheep. The Daily Express* Tokio correspondent relates that three corhpanies of Japanese infantry, without guns, barred the retreat of several ■ Russian regiments after the fight at the Yalu. BUNGLING OP RUSSIAN OFFICIALS. An official message states that the Japanese despatch boat Miyako No. 1810, struck a mine in Rerr Bay and was sunk. There were eight, casualties. The war correspondents mention that paper boots, bogus flour, short rations and general bungling are responsible for many of the Russian disasters. AN APPEAL TO THE PORT ARTHUR GARRISON. DEATH BEFORE SURRENDER. News by the last mail shows that' General Stoessel issued an order to the defenders of Port Arthur which says:—“ The fortress must fight to the last. I shall never give the word of surrender, Further, we have absolutely no place to retire to. Even the most timid must appreciate these points, and 1 warn you all that you must fight to the death. Those that go into battle ready to lay down their lives are the men that accomplish great things and make a name. On the contrary, those who shrink from combat seek cravenly to save tbeir own persons, These, too, must die, but die ingloriously; for from this fortre-s there is no escape. It has the sea on three sides and the eoemy on the fourth. There is nothing for it but to fight, and the Japanese will long rrmember the blow our soldiers wilt give them.”

lIO\Y POUT ARTHUR WAS “ BOTTLED.” DEEDS OF BRAVERY. The Eastern mull news states that groat heroism was displayed in the ■Japanese efforts to block the channel at Port Arthur. Commander Masaki and Lieut. Shimada st >od on the bridge of the Yoneyama IVlaru when her three consorts had already gone to the bottom, and made for the centre of the channel. Commander Masaki was wounded in the head with the splin er of a shell, but he continued to direct hi? vessel towards the centre of Ihe channel with cbu guns from the Golden Hill trained on her. As the vessel swung round in the channel, Commander Masaki gave ■v'ders to explode the mines. Lieut. Shimada, who stood ready co light the fuse was struck by a shell and terribly injured. Totally ignorant of tbe fearful injuries Shimada had received the commander ordered his men to drop anchor and blow the ship up. Down rattled the anchor. The fuse was ignited and the men took to the boats. No explosion occurred, however, and, amid cheering, the men and their commander returned to the ship Amid the fearful din of battle and the roaring of the guns from the fort, the men prepared a second fuse.

Several shells had struck the Yoneyama and there seemed to be little left of her to sink unless she went down speedily. One shell struck her funnel, which smashed like a cardboard box. Commander Masaki was again wounded, this time in the shoulder by a bullet. One of the Japanese bluejackets rushed to the bridge and informed the commander that Shimada was dead. Everything .was in readiness to blow up the ship. The fuse was ignited and the boats were hanging frte, waiting only for the commander i > ste > in. He, however, rushed acr isa the deck were the wounded lieutenant was lying and called one of his own men to assist him. Gently they carried the unconscious officer into the boat and they reached their own torpedo boats which were searching for them. ON THE BRINK OF A GREAT BATTLE.

Washington has received advices that a great battle is eminent at Liaoyang. Sharp skirmishing is proceeding with the Japanese vanguard and the retreating Russians. The presence of Japanese warships and transport at Msuri Bay, prevents reinforcements being sent from Viadivostock to the armies in the field. Armed Chinese expelled the Russian troops from the railway coal mines at Port Adams and looted the works. The Russian military authorities assert that the Japanese ate trying to

drive General Kuropatkin’s army into Mongolia, where the Chinese forces will be able to attack them without a breach of neutrality.