KINCHAU CAPTURED BY THE JAPS.

Manawatu Herald, 31 May 1904, Page 2

KINCHAU CAPTURED BY THE JAPS.

The officials of Kronstadt, hoping to conceal the non-existence of a large portion of the ammunition, uniforms, and other equipment supDosed to be in their custody and H’dered to be forwarded to the Par fired a section of the Artillery and Clothing Department. Investigation showed that petroleum had been used. A high official attempted suicide and others fled. A Russian reconnoitring party, on the 21st inst., got behind three thou sand Japanese near the Tansanchintoa road, Liaoyang, and watched for sixteen hours. They saw eighteen thousand Chinese and Korean coolies and two hundred carts pass. The Japanese on discovering them attacked the scouts. Their horses being killed, the scouts returned afoot. Lieut.-General Sakbaroff adds, “ The Chinese report of the battle of Kinchau on the 18th is that the Japanese lost 700 and the Russians less. 1 ’ Fragmentary telegrams from various centres state tbs attack on Kinchau began on Wednesday. A number of heavy Russian guns well posted, proved a serious obstacle to their advance, but the Japanese, skilfully securing ah advantage after a severe artillery fire, stormed and captured the walled town. The Russians, withdrawing, continued a stubborn resistance, the Japanese prosecuting the attack with much spirit. Reuter’s Agency at Tokio reports that after five day's fighting the Japanese captured Kinchau on Thursday evening; The Russian stronghold at Hanshan was taken after a specially hot straggle and artillery, duel of many hours duration, the Russians being outclassed. A Russian gunboat at Talienwan bombarded the Japanese left flank. The Japanese swept the Russians out of their defences west of Talienwan, and completely blockaded the southern end of Liaotung Peninsula. The women and children at Port Arthur shelter in dug out caves with* iu the inner fortifications. Owing to the drifting mines the British fleet in Chinese waters will not proceed north of Woosung. EQUIPPING PRIVATEERS. Lloyds are officially warned that some of the fast steamers Russia recently purchased are being equipped as privateers. Insurance rates, however, did not rise, the underwriters believing the Powers will not permit a breach of the declaration of Paris. Russian nobles and public bodies are largely subscribing to a patriotic new fleet fund. It is intended to construct a large number of warships of smaller types.