THE WAR. THE SIEGE OF POUT ARTHUR

Manawatu Herald, 9 June 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

THE SIEGE OF POUT ARTHUR

Tho Japanese (Ifistroyoi* flotilla watching Port; Arthur saw a gunboat 'f Dm Gilyak typo blow no and sink while Jngagod with others in clearing nv.no t from tho road si rad. ■W.mnvl IPoiyo boiiou’d a torpedo caused the explosion. St. IVtolo;burg telegrams published in French papers state the Czar’s' decision to relievo Port Arthur was against the advice of tho majority of the majority of tho Council, but was supported by the War Minister, the Grand Duke Vladimir, and popular opinion. The Japanese lines have been ext nded from SLmlanlatko to Chichftugtsu, about twelve miles from Port Arthur forts. The outposts of the two armies arc within two miles of one another. Two thousand Japanese troops are at German, and repeated skirmish, s have taken place in the vicinity. The Koreans co-operated with the Japanese and repulsed tho Cossacks. The steamers representing the newspapers attribute the heavy explosion at Port Arthur to Admiral Wittgft’s efforts to clear the fairway in readiness for a sortie when the fortress is assaulted. The newspaper Novoe Vromya applauds the suggestion that the United States would possibly cedi the I’hillipines to Japan, since that would divert Japan’s attention from Asia.