THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 16 July 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

THE KEY TO PORT ARTHUR • p * * *' I ••■■''' t —*3 t «■ * Tbs Ohefoo ’correspondent of.the New York World reports that the Japanese captuwf Oinngta/ t|e §y to^oj;t ; .|,MhUjfil :JJ ; I i. »R Fighting is' proceeding all along the hills between -Oiungla and Port Arthur.,, . . | The Russians ace said to * have destroyed' the Ret viz an and another battleship. ; At B|f Petersburg telegram stamps that the Askold was badly torpedoed, and many of the crew injured. *.■' r It is, also, alleged that three of the Japanese torpedo-boats sank. ' f Admiral Togo has reported that the Bayan, Diana, Pollada, Novik, and Poltava emerged on Saturday, waiting outside the harbour while mine-searching was proceeding. The Japanese torpedoers vainly tried to entice them, but only the Bayan responded. She maintained an indecisive fight until, four of the cruisers appeared, when the Russians re-entered Port Arthur.

The Saint Petersburg, one of the Black Sea volunteer fleet, while south of Jeddah, overhauled the papers and manifesto of the British steamer Menelaus. ’ The crew and the vessel were liberated, after detention for four hours. ON THE EVE OP A BIG BATTLE. The three Japanese armies opposing General Kuropatkin have now emerged from the mountains, and henceforth will operate on the plains by the Lian River,

General Kucopafckin is strongly concentrating bis forces at Tungchi, between Taschuho and Taishata, about 8 miles north of Kaiping, whither the left of the Takusban army extends. It is rumoured in Tokio that Majo-General Tischenko, with 80,000 sabres, is trying to turn General Kuroki’a right, with a view of reaching the Yalu. THE RUSSIANS PROBABLE RETREAT NORTH. A considerable Russian force has occupied the range beyond Motionling, and reinforcements are arriving in the neighbourhood. It is believed at General Kuroki’s headquarters that these demonstrations are designed to cover General Kuropatkin’s retirement to Liaoyang. Admiral Alexieff’s story that mines destroyed 30,000 Japanese during the night assault on the 10th is regarded at St. Petersburg as an attempt to smooth the way for the fall of Port Arthur.