PORT ARTHUR A HARD NUT TO CRACK.

Manawatu Herald, 26 May 1904, Page 2

PORT ARTHUR A HARD NUT TO CRACK.

The Russians, after denying the report now admit that the Bogatyr was stranded during the fog. The .Jeszefi is striving to save her. The object of Friday’s daring reconnaisanco at the entrance of Port Arthur was accomplished, but according to Reuter’s Agency, a shell struck the destroyer Akstsukaka, killing 25, including an officer. The Times’ steamer Haimun reports that General Kuroki halted to pull his force together for an advance over heavy country at Liaoyang and to await the landing of the third army corps. Meanwhile two of General Oko’s divisions in the vicinity of Kinchau have been ordered to reduce Port Arthur, Guns from disabled Russian ships have been added to a succession of shore batteries covering the northeastern approaches to Kinehau, also the approaches to Dalny. If the Russians maintain the attitude their field works indicate, Port Arthur will not fall without heavy sacrifices. The garrison consists of ten thousand troops and seven hutldred blue jackets. Junks bring food to Pigeon Bay. The coal supply is short, but the ammunition is sufficient, The defenders of Port Arthur are in a desperate mood, realising theit hopeless position. They haw; sent launches and junks to tow floating blockade mines, which are now drifting Into the high seas and into Chinese waters. The naval officers of Britain and America severely criticise Russia’s tactics in violating the rights of nations, THE OPPOSING FORGES IN TOUCH. General Kuroki’s advanced division continues in touch with the Russians near Mo-Men-ling pass, where the Liaoyang road passes through a mountain defile. Fourteen foreign attaches are there. The Japanese squadron is cruising between Jensan and VJadivostock. The Times’ steamer Haimun reports that Japan has landed at least one hundred and fifty thousand troops in Manchuria and on the Liaotung peninsular. ■' tvMINES IN THE OPEN St Petersburg reports state * pumping saved the warship Orel, which was stranded. Admiral Igernon De Horsey, writing to the Times, says the wilful placing of mines in the open sea, 10 miles from land, is an inhuman act and wholesale murder. The Russians are disinclined to fight unless they possess great superiority in numbers. Russian artillery and mounted troops re-occupied Niuchwang on the 22nd, entrenching south of the town. St. Petersburg telegrams declare that a second Japanese cruiser of the Shikishima type was damaged off Port Arthur on the 16tb, and sank four miles from the entrance to the harbour. The crew were saved.