THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 11 June 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

PORT ARTHUR IN DISTRESS FROM WANT OF FOOD. Chinese ace not allowed to quit Port Arthur, lest the discontent of the soldiers with their rations and also facts of the actual condition of affairs in the town will be revealed. One, who escaped, declares that sixty others were killed in trying to escape. Russians under Hamheung, pro. ceeding south-west, speared and killed the prefect for refusing to fur. nisb food to the Cossacks, and com. mitted great ; depredations between Anju and Kaichyou. China has vainly protested against Prince Alexieffs proclamation that Manchurians must protect the rail, way under a penalty of extermina. tion. THE EXPLOSIONS AT PORT ARTHUR. The Times’ Tokio correspondent says that considering the frequent explosions at Port Arthur and (be attempts to clear away the mines, it is believed the squadron intends to emerge at the crucial moment and fight for its life. Mr Brind'e, the London Daily Mail’s correadondent, telegraphs that soldiers at Lienobwangtai. after fir. ing, declared they mistook the junk for a pirate boat. The soldiers, who were dressed like pirates, afterwards donned uniforms. They did not inform them (the soldiers) that Etzel (the Daily Telegraph correspondent), was dead, lest all the party should have been massacred to conceal the crime. Four Japanese gunboats, at midnight on Monday, closely reconnoitred the entrance to Port Arthur, Eight shells bit Sfid damaged one of the gunboats. The shells killed one and injured two of the crew. RUSSIANS SHORT OP MONEV. The Russian Minister of the Interior, fearing a cessation of public works would lead to outbreaks, fppealed to Jewish bankers in Russia to assist a fresh loan. They declined unless the Jews were granted concessions. The Minister thereupon issued a secret circular enjoining provincial governors not to embarrass Jews, even if they lived out side the allotted residential and then made overtures to, iMro bankers which resulted m an offer to float the loan conditional on reforms being effected in Russia, including a further concession to the Jews and a modification of the Finnish policy.