THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 27 August 1904, Page 3

THE WAR.

A GRAVE SITUATION.

The Standard and Telegraph, in referring to the Comedian incident, ■emphasise the new and grave aspect of the question. The Times declares that the Hipsang outrage is one in a series of outrages. The latter journal is slow to believe that it is a deliberate breach of pledge, but if Russia has ostentatiously defied the explicit ■warnings of nnr view of the Smolensk’s status, then the nation will ask whether it is not time that the navy should protect and, if necessary vindicate her rights. It is absolutely essential, in the interests of peace, that Russia should be made to ' understand, on this subject, that neither the Government nor the people will tolerate any further equivocation. RUSSIA’S BATTERED WARSHIPS. , Admiral Wirenius’ report re the Hovik says a shell fired the vessel and exploded the boilers and magazines. The crew escaped. Only the shell-riddled hull remains. It is announced that owing to the damage sustained by the Askold, Grosovoi and Diana, those vessels will be dismantled. A junk which arrived at Chefoo reports that the Japanese have occapied Itsban, another fort balf-a-mile south:west, and, destroyed two forts I • at OhaochaO, within the eastern line of There is scarffflHl building left undamaged in W ,: 'Arthur. The Town Hall • and one magazine were destroyed. ‘ F ,|Wr 'arge war - ships are damaged harbour, * A RUSSIAN WARSHIP STRIKES ;" . a mine. Admiral Kataoka reports that the Sevastopol, while ’eaving Port Arthur . on Wednesday, struck a mine and was towed back with a list to starboard. She was bombarding the V: Japanese land positions from outside \ the harbour at the time. Information received at Shanghai, from German sources, states that general Kuropatkin is retiring on Mukden. The Chinese fleet has gone on a cruise to avoid taking action in the -event of complications. Though Russian accounts from , t , Port Arthur allege that the Japanese * are immolating themselves by thousands, the general drift of news shows that the attack gains ground. The Russians describe the repulse of the Jtipane.se on the 80th at the bayonet’s point as another Shipka Pass. AN ALLEGED ACT OF HOSTILITY. The newspaper Novoe Vremya ■ says that Malta’s; proclamation constitutes an act of hostility since, on ao occasion, would Japan suffer from its effects. y Note.— -At the commencement of the war a proclamation was issued at .Malta in regard to coaling and pro visioning belligerent ships. This ’ proclamation was altered some days ago so as to include those engaged in intercepting neutral ships on suspicion of carrying contraband. The proclamation was not applicable to vessels entering a port owing to actual distress at sea. Subsequently the operations of the proclamation were extended to apply to other ■ British colonies and dependencies. The Latest. A “'FIERCE FIGHT ON SEA. * The Russian Ambassador had seVetal interview's . with the Dutch member of the Hague Arbitration Tribunal. This is, interpreted as Bounding him regarding contraband ; ' also, With reference -to the proper attitude in connection with the Re- * chlteloi case. s •The /engagement, .between the warships Novik and Tsushima was so protracted and fierce that many qi „Jhe Tsushima's officers, in the stress of 1 the combat, lost their voices, and had to write words of ” command with chalk. The Chinese authorities at Pekin gave the Askold and Grosovoi four more days to repair, which is interpreted that China wishes to save her face as the warships had disregarded her authority. Happily the Czars was received commanding the Retzenstein to disarm both vessels, and their flags were lowered at seven in the evening. ANOTHER BRITISH STEAMER SEIZED. , The belief is growing that the seizures are the result of the strained relations between the Russian Admiralty and the loreign Office. The Ural stopped the Anchor liner Asia, bound for Calcutta, off Cape St. Vincent, examined her gapers and then allowed her to proceed.