Latest War News.

Northland Age, 4 October 1904, Page 2

Latest War News.

More Japanese Successes. LONDON, Monday. It is reported at St. Petersburg that s short sortie, made from Port Arthur, land for its object the ascertaining of (be value of the recently repa red vessels at Port Arthur. Another view is that the increased hail of projectiles in the harbour, owing to recent Japanese successes, is compelling the ships to move out of the line of fire.

The Russian General Staff at St. Petersburg says it has received information from Port Arthur that all assaults from the 20th to 26th September, were reputed.

Tho Japanese captured a junk from Fort Arthur, that was carrying despatches. Two Russians, who were on board, were detained as prisoners. Ncv.’S lias bean received from several refugees, which emphasises the desperate state of Affairs in the besieged towm. These witnesses, who escaped from Port Arthur in a junk which succeeded in miming tlio Japanese blockade, state that there is grave lack of waiter, tLe-suffer-ings of the garrison are intense, and that such a state of things cannot bo long protracted. Reports from Cheefoo indicate that the important Golden Hill forts, commanding the harbour of Port Arthur, are almost completely destroyed by tho Japanese shells. Owing to its great value to the Russians, the Japs.’ efforts were especially concentrated on this position. Advices from Mukden state that tho Japs, are anxious to act on the defensive. They have fortified a position to the north-west of the Yentai coal mines. The Russians have made several reeonnaisances and arc evidently puzzled at the inactivity of the Japs., not realising (says the “Standard” correspondent) that the latter, confident of their superiority, can afford to wait nntil they have completed arrangements before advancing. Japanese troops are pouring across the Taitse River, at Ponnsihu. Numbers of Chunchuses are assisting the Japs, on Liao River. The Russian cavalry on Thursday checked an advance of Japs, in the Yentai district. On Friday the Russians burned seventeen junks that were being used on the Hun River, in the transport of ammunition. The Russians estimate the Japanese forces facing them at Mukden, at 144,000 infantry, 6,380 cavalry, and 638 guns. The London “ Daily Telegraph ” says that double the Russian estimate is much more likely te be accurate. The London “Times” correspondent at Tokio says that with the change in the military system of Japan, they estimate to place 600,000 trained men forthwith on active service.

German warships arc cruising outside the port of Kiaochau. In the event of ships from Port Arthur attempting to reach that port, they will be examined on the high seas, and if found to be seaworthy they will be advised not to enter the port. The Japs are employing thousands of Chinese in fortifying *Liaoyaog on the northern side, as a precaution against any ultimate attack of the Russians. The first train run to Liaoyarig by the Japs, lias arrived. iThe garrison at Port Arthur made desrirate attempts to retake the fort, in the JMe of restoring the water supply, but jmth sides Jpsing heavily. * w command