THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 29 November 1904, Page 3

THE WAR.

THE END NEAR. PROBABLE SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES. RAILWAY DESTRUCTION. LARGE COAL ORDERS. Captain Osawa, who was aboard the Mikasa during the naval, battle off Liaotung on August 12 th, states that a 12-inch shell slightly wounded Prince Fushimi, while another burst close to the bridge where Admiral Togo and ten others were standing, Wounding four, including the captain of the Mikasa and the chief of stall', and killing a lieutenant and three others who Were in the chartroom below the bridge. The officers forced Admiral Togo to enter the conning tower. Six hundred Russian infantry compelled the Japanese to evacuate Hsingluhun, and burned the village. The Russians, at dawn on Wednesday, made several sm prise attacks near the Shaho railway bridge, near Paotzuzon, but were repulsed. Reuter’s agency reports that the Berlin bankers have taken twenty million of the Russian 4 per cent loan, and Paris bankers £32,000,000. The Danish authorities refused to allow the Russian cruiser Izumued to coal from a collier at the Frederikshaven roadstead, and requested her to go outside. Stoessel’s despatch by the RoZtoropni warned the Czar that the garrison was being starved out. The Japanese press deprecates an immediate assault on Port Arthur, since it was certaiif soon to fall,

It was admitted that 11,440 casualties had resulted from assaults from August 19th to Nov. 24th. Prisoners estimate the effective garrison of Port Arthur at 8000, only a third of whom are provided with winter clothing. The Japanese shells on Sunday fired a huge pile of coal at the Port Arthur railway station, which burned for 14 hours.

The Russian squadron has sailed from bkaw.

The Chunchuses are constantly destroying the railway. One night they blew up six places with melinite cartridges. Three mysterious yachts, one flying the French and two the English flag, have entered the canal. Itissuspected theßussian Admiralty engaged them to explore the Gulf of Suez to Thadwan Island before the Baltic fleet arrival. The Standard states it is reported at Odessa that a general mobilisation throughout European Russia has been ordered for January. The New York Herald Kt. Petersburg correspondent says the absence of fuel and water will probably compel General Kuropatkin to suspend hostilities until spring. The only permanent forts in the possession of the Japanese about Port Arthur are two at Paulung, which were captured in August, The Japanese hold the advance works at Erlungahan and the redoubt called “ Kuropatkin ” fort, Ichinohi and Kobu hills, Sochafcakyama, and 174 metre hill; also the Camponiere galleries and moats outside Ehrlung and north Keekwan, Admiral Foelksrsahn denies that disorders occurred at Canea, The destroyers coaled from transports in Port Said harbour. Admiral Foelkersalm’s officers are described as efficient, and the crews as being ignorant of the rudiments of seamanship, being peasants without technical knowledge. From 30 to 90 per cent of the Jews in the Kishineff, Kherson and Simpheropol districts, failed to respond to the recruiting orders, and crossed the frontiers. A quarter of a million tons of Welsh coal has been purchased on Russia’s account, and 100,000 tons on Japan’s account for shipment early next year.