THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 10 December 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

BRITAIN WARNS RUSSIA. JAPS CAPTURE MORE T?ORTS KUROPATKIN IN r i. , , JI(U The Daily Express’ St. Petersburg correspondent reports that under a clause in the Anglo-Japanese treaty Britain, at the. beginning of the war, warned Russia that she intended to uphold the treaties preventing the passage of the Black Sea fleet through the Dardanelles. The British Government is experiencing great difficulty in proving the destination of coal shipped from Cardiff. It is believed 18 ships have been chartered to take Welsh coal to Russia and Japan during the nfc'xfc two months. The heavy fire from Metre Hill compelled the evacuation of Akasaka Hill fort, which has been occupied by the Japanese, who have also occupied two additional heights. The Russian warship Poltava has been sunk, the Bayan is aground, While the Retvisan is seriously damaged and listing heavily. Another brief armistice has been arranged for the removal of the Russian dead, Preach St, Petersburg advices state that a Chinaman has been arrested at Chantsigrautan for having in his possession an infernal machine, with which it was intended to destroy General Kuropatkin’s saloon, carriage. A statement has been made that the real reason for excluding Australian vessels from the Marshall Islands is that the islands are being used as a base from which to coal the Russian fleet. It is further stated that the Hamburg-Ameripan Company has contracted to supply the Baltic fleet with coal, and that 42 steamers have been engaged ftp that purpose. Twenty of these steamers are in the vicinity of. tHo Marshalls, which have been chosen because of their being comparatively isolated. The report that the Russian cruisers are proceeding to the" Marshalls to coal has reached the naval authorities, who are inquiring into the matter. r: