THE SIEGE OF POET ARTHUR.

Manawatu Herald, 16 June 1904, Page 2

THE SIEGE OF POET ARTHUR.

The New York Herald states the occupation of Sisu Pass has placed the principal strategic point on the road to Mukden in the Japanese bands. Persistent rumours are in circulation that the submarine boat Protector has been smuggled from Newport for Japan. The Russian press demand an explanation of the occurrence. The Japanese are steadily and cautiously sapping towards Port Arthur fortifications, and throwing up earthworks under pover of a heavy bomba rdmenfa The high price of food is causing great distress in Vladivostock, and it is feared that the town will soon be without light, as the petroleum and candles are nearly exhausted. A Reuter’s message states that StPetersburg military circles allege the sole responsibility for the war now rests with General Kuropafckin, hence it is not anticipated a serious attempt will be made to relieve Port Arthur. The Japanese are strictly blockading Niuchwang. The Japanese fleet entered Raiding Ray and bombarded and damaged the fortifications, and stopping the departure southward of the military trains. Prisoners report ibe bombardment of Port Arthur refers largely to the presence of gunboats supporting the Japanese land forces on both sides of the peninsula. No heavy fighting has taken' place. The Russians shell the enemy's trenches and works sparingly, reserving their ammunition. The Japanese are mounting siege guns. Anxiety is felt at St. Petersburg respecting the shortage of ammunition at Port Arthur. The Russians near Port Arthur, attacked the Japanese, who feigned to retreat. The Russians hotly pur* sued them and were entrapped. The Japanese, by executing a flanking movement, overwhelmed them. The Russians lost 800,

RUSSIANS AMBUSHED.

The Daily Mail's Niuchwang correspondent states that on the 11th inst, a considerable force of pretended to attack ip entrenched positions at Siungyo, a rang* 150 miles south of Kaiping, and that when the Japanese retreated 3000 Russians pursued them to the Yaotung Pass, where Japanese reinforcements lay concealed Russian casualties were 860. The rest retreated to Niuchwang and then entrained for Liaoyang Admiral logo asserts that 8000 Russian infantry and cavalry in the vicinity of Kaiping, fled inland after the fleet’s bombardment. The captain of a steamer leaving Yingkow on the 9th, informed Adrairal Togo that several thousand Russians with twenty guns, evacu ’ ted Yingkow and retreated northward, owing to the bombardment. Japanese destroyers discovered four Russian destroyers at Senoha Point, Talienwan, and drove them into Port Arthur.