THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 9 July 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

HEAVY SKIRMISHING.

The Russians officially report heavy reconnoitring skirmishes to the north, north-west, and southwest of Motienling on Monday, there being 200 Russian casualties. The Russian volunteer fleet steamers St. Petersburg and Sevastopol traversed the Bosphoros from the Black Sea. . The Sevastopol was flying the Red Cross flag below the commercial flag, and her hull is painted white. She is apparently destined for a hospital ship, and embarked stores at Constantinople. Admiral Withoeft reports that Admiral Togo is using the battleship Oapitan Prat and thearmoured cruiser Chacabuco, purchased from Chili. A high Russian naval officer states Admiral Withoeft will iprobably make a sortie from Port Arthur and try to sink some of the Japanese fleet, and then dash for a neutral harbour—Wei-hai wei or Kaiochau —and surrender, thus preserving their fleet. HAND TO HAND FIGHTING. The Japanese have fortifiedfraling Pass, Later details of the fighting at Motienling show that it was a stubborn hand-to-hand encounter. Bayonets were freely used. The Japanese were first to force the attack, and ultimately compelled the Russians to retire from Lamghze Pass. Many officers, including three colonels, and Lexhitsky, the commander, were wotinded.' - * S t,The Russian surgeons and chaplain Retpszoff displayed.remarkable tion. They attended the wounded und'er a violent fire, .and pebsoually ■ rShioved : the inj dred. v 1 ’ : = Everything indicates the Russians will be gradually the railway. , The Japanese stopped ! throe torpedoers and destroyers which tried to accompany Lieutenant Burnkoff from Niuchwaog. Ten; officers and 100 men embarked before the Lieutenant Burnkoff left Niuohwang on Saturday for an unknown destination.