WAR IN THE FAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 36, 12 February 1904, Page 3

WAR IN THE FAR EAST.

ATTACK ON PORT ARTHUR. ASTONISHMENT AT ST. PETERSBURG," BUT CZAR IS CONFIDENT. RUSSIANS INVEST YALU BORDER ANOTHER ATTACK ON PORT ARTHUR EXPECTED. (United Pr«M Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

BOMBARDMENT OF POUT ARTHUR. SEAMANSHIP OF THE RIVAL COMMANDERS. NEW YORK, Feb. 10. "■ The New York Hera hi states that sixteen Japjanecie warships appeared %i the ofl%io in fine order, ajml opened fire (within a fluarter of a hour. Landing 12in shells near the torpedo boats grouped around the entrance to the harbour, thoy disabled the battleships. The bombardment lasted an hour, the Japanese shooting well, the heavy shells 'bursting on the summit of one fort and along the face of the cliffs and teach. A shell from the Japanese struck a Russian warship at the base of the forward funnel and another hit a battleship amidships. A third struck a battleship near the stern. llany Russian aSrells fall snort. Apparently no ship on cither side was disabled. The Russian cruiser Novik .fought pluckily, keeping |Dy far the closest Until a heavy concentrated fire compelled her to retire on the battleships. The Russian veswls fought with little formation, probably owingl to 'thoir cramped position, being always a mile apd a half off the shore and under the guns of the forts, SsWch occasionally fired over them. 'The Japanese kept splendid for/fliation, retiring slowly in line to the south-eastward. Japanese merchants in New York celebrated the victory, and arranged, if possible, to raise nvo mil l ion dollars for a Japanese loan. SAVING THE DAMAGED CRUISHRS. , • MARCHING ON BEOUL. * • LONDON, Feb. JO. The Russians forebode the Allan liner Colombia to leave the roadstead, but when the shells wore bursting around the captain steamed for Ohefoo, canryimg! the Russian guards abtoard. The Russians were trying by pumps and the use of collision mats, to stop the holss in the battleships and take them inside at higji water. It is reported that Russian troops Have crossed the Yalu river and are marching on Seoul—the Korean capital. SCYLLA AND CHABYBDIS. . BRITISH NAVAL ACTIVITY. LONDON, Feb. 10. Tbe Pall Mall Gazette says that Admiral Stfcirk is in a dilemma. He must submit to remain under the guns of Port Arthar or fight under conditions rendering his defeat a foregone conclusion. The situation resembles that of Admiral Oerveras at SantiafeD. • Admiral Edward Seymour applauds the Japanese coup, which secures siperiiority of battleships. The St. James Gazette states that Naval officers at Whitehall declare i that there is no feverish anxiety, but that naval preparations are quietly proceeding. It is reported that the battleships Formidable and Russell will be sent to China. THE RUSSIAN LOSSES. LONDON, Feb. 10. The Russian losses during the bomibnrdmeAt on tho morning l of the ©th were ten killed and two ollicers and 54 men wounded. The Poltava was damaged below the waterline, but the fortfess received little damage. Admi\kJl Ayxiefl's aeport on pie events of the on the Bth is that no ships were sunk or boile/s damaged. The Ceserevitch's steering gear and the RctvUan's pumping gear were damaged. The FaUada was damaged near the enemy's ships. Bind two seamen were killed, five drowned and eight wounded. Admiral Alcxiefl makes no allusion to the beachiaig of tIK disabled vessels, although all correspondents confirm the report. It is believed the Japanese torpedo toads issued from Wei-hoi-wei. The Rupsian fleet took three days to work out of Icebound Port Arthur. They were lying in the open roadstead outside the boom at the time of the attack. A Japanese official message states that the Coreetz and Varvag nuitted Chemulpho after fighting tor an hour against • Admiral Urius' division. After receiving tojury they, took refuge amongst the islands where the Varvag sank and the Coreetz exploded, Tile crews of both vessels ,ook Refuge aboard a French cruiser.

FRANCE TAKING A HAND. DIFFERENCE IN THE RUSSIAN CAMP. LONDON, Fell. 10. France is seiiding a battalion of Tonkin troops to garrison the Shan-hui-kwan fo;rts, which Russia is vacating. The liritish officer in charge at Shan-kai-kwau has protested against the French occupation. The French sqjiadron in Ea.st has been ordered not to leave French waters. Serious differences exist over the question of the command of the Russian land forces. Prince Alexiell's friends object to General Kuropatkin (Russian Minister for Wnr.) PARIS, Feb. 10. Le Temps states that the .stress of s events may lead to the strengthening of the Franco-Russian alliance. France, while acting in accord with those desiring 'to localise the struggle, will prevent others profiting at Russia's exi>tnse. ELUDES RUSSIAN WARSHIPS. JAPANESE MERCHANTMAN ARTILLERY FOR THE EAST. (Received? Fob. 11, 9.14 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 11. Tf.fe Nippon Yusen Kaisha's stoame* Wakasa Maru, after eluding the Russian cniisein and destroyers In the Indian ocean, has reached Colombo. The Russian gunboat Mangur was , lit the dock lit Siiar.fihai, not Nagasaki as previously stated. The Mangiur (has njtrw put to sc|a. ' Count Kuri»o, Japanese Minister at St. Petersburg, has gone to Berlin. Russia has despatched 72 guns, firing 38 shots per minute; thus completing her Far East complement of artillery.

The Latest. A CRAFTY JA'PANESE COMMANDER. CHINESE TROOPS CONCENTRATING. RUSSIAN PRESS DENOUNCES JAPANESE TREACHERY. (Received Feb. 13, 0.57 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 11. A Japanese naval commander, disguised as a menial, accompanied the Japanese Consul who was sent to remove residents from Port Arthur. He noted the eJiact position, while Baren Kaneko has that they were not under steam or watchful. TCJs information he signalled to Admiral Togo on his way to Chpfoo. Eighty thousand Chinese troops have been concentrated from Kalgan to Shan-hai-kwan. Baron Suematsio has been sent to America to explain Japan's position wh le Baron Kaneko has gone on a similar mission to Europe. The Russian public regard the situation with much seriousness and the newspapers are tiyi»g to kindle the fire of patriotism, emphasising! Japan's treachery. They admit it will be necessary fo act on the defensive until Hie Russian forces in Korea and Southern Manchuria are concentrated. The nol/ility and gentry, with the municipal authorities, are exbibithj'g much self-sacnifice. All social functions such as balls have been cancelled. The Egyptian Government refused to coal the Russian cruiser Smolensk, proceeding to the Far East. A telegram from Vladivostok states that the cruisers are about to attempt to run the gauntlet at Ptort (ArtihW.' Fifty thousand Russian troops are concentrated along the Yalu. R'jver fi|ont;(.'r of Kjcpvii. Russia has cancelled the loading! at Cardiff of several colliers. Great Hrlljiin and the United States proclaim their neutrality to-'day.

PROCLAMATION OF WAR. (Received Feb. 11, 10.17 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 11. Tho Japanese Consul here received a cablo from Baron Komura. Minister for FoKign Allairs, stofl'fx tl.pt war ;was dtcHarcd yesterday. MELBOURNE, Feb. 11. ThcTTovernor-'General (Low! Northcote) has issued a proclamation decleifnya suite of 'war 1 I'tween Russia' and Japan, mid commanding' British subjects to, cftierve a strict) neutrality. CZAR'S APPEAL TO NAVAL OFFICERS. (Received Feb. 11. 11.53 p.m.) ST. FIRTEUSKI'JIO, Feb. 11. The Czar, addressing a gathering of naval engineers, infoled them to deeds of bravery against their treacherous foe, «fio in the darkness of the night, and without provocation, had attacked a Russian fortress 'and fleet. DETAILS OF THE SECOND FIGHT AT PORT ARTHUR. ATTACKERS EXPECTED TO RETURN. (Received Feb. 11, 11.53 p.m.) LONDON, Fell. 11. In the second light at Port Arthur the 'Russian toJ'jxtdo tboats gallantly dashed for the Japanese fleet), but they experienced such a terrific lire that they retreated Ibeh'iiKl the J.'aititlesf jps)\ Half an hour's furious l'yhting followed, the Shore batteries joining in the fray. A shell disabled the Poljtava almost immediately, while a shot from the fort disu'tled the cruiser Diana. Then the cruisers Novik and Askold became too "venturesome anil as a result were severely punished and retreated seriously damned. 1 The Novik and Ukdtava were bea--1 clu<l. I The Japanese fleet is coaling'at. sea and is expected shortly to return to Port Arthur. CAPTURE OF RUSSIAN TRANSPORTS AND TROOPS. JAPANESE DESTROY A RAILWAY BRIDGE. (Received Feb. 11, 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 11. The Japanese ciruiiscrs Warirtmen and Ileyeu, captured the volunteer transport Ekaterinoslav nnar Fusan. They also waylaid and took several whalers and a steamer belonging to the Chinese Eastern Railway Company—an adjunct of tho Siberian raili way. | The Daily Telegraph's Shanghai correspondent says the Japanese ' captured three vessels of the volunteer fleet, with two thousand troops ' on hoard, near Asam. ; The Japanese forces have also destroyed a bridge on the Manchurian railway, killing thirty of the Russian troops,

THE CZtVR'S CONFIDENCE ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 10. There Is great stupefaction in Russia, mingled with indignation, at Japan causing a rupture without awaiting a reply. Patriotic processions have taken place at Kharkoff and elsewhere. The Czar has issued a manifesto emphasising his efforts to assure peace, and Japan's Spinning of hostilities without giving n'otdfiaati'on of a state or v-r. lln eonfidently invokes God's blessing on the army and navy. ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS. WARNING TO THE BELLIGERANTS. TjONDON, Feb. 10. Tho Note by the United States Secretary for "state (Colonel Hay) asking the Rowers to unite in warning the combatants thrtt China's neutrality and integrity must be recognised during the hostilities and afterwards, aims at the prevention 1 of an invWoil of China proper, southwards of Shan-hai-kwan. It was at first propos«d to iuclude Korea and Manchuria in the prohibited upfiere, but it was afterwards considered better to leave the Powers to determine the position" of these regions after the war. Colonel Hay sent a Note to Russia and Japan, and asked the neural Powers to similarly addjgss t_he Britain, Fran* and Japan support Colonel Note "but Russia has not replied to it. PROGRESS OF THE WAR IN KOREA. JAPAN IN A STATE OF SIEGE. LONDON, Feb. 10. The Russian mail steamer Mangolla has been captured ofl Shantung. A stflonyr ( Jiapjairieso tiorped*.) division with cruisers, escorting a transom, reached Chemurpho on Sunday and directed tho Varv*fci and' Coreetz to surrender, which Sos done without resistance. Eight ihousand troops were quickly laml'Vi and commenced tJieir march to Seoul. Troops have been landed at most of the chief Korean ports*. Tusan and Masampho bare *°een occupied. A state of ttege ha* been uecl«r«i to J«»»a

JAPANESE TROOPS OCCUPY SEOUL. ENTHUSIASM IN' SYDNEY. (Received Feb. 12. 1.5 a.m.) LONDON. Feb. 11. Tile Jiipane.sc ' have occupied Seoul. SYDNEY, Neb. 11. At a gathering of Jnpaiiv.sr residents to-night patriotic sp<vches were deli u>red and steps taken I* start a patriotic I'ui.Kl here. Japanese Advantage. RUSSIA'S NAVAL AMI MILITARY DIFFICULTHESj 111 an interview recent \y with a representative of the Exchange 'lVlegrapi.t Coin|iany, a gentleman who formerly for ig,-,ny ,\\|.irs held ani ollicial position in I lie Far East, said :—"1 am of opinion that the real slate of affairs has not hem disclosed, and that war will break out in spit>c of ullithe efforts of the authorities lit St. Petersburg and Tokio, backed up, as they doubtless are, by the Dritistf and French representatives. "The Russian political agenls of the war party at home and in the Far East, who have iH|j;jotiated large opeuations of land in Manchuria and Korea, will create obstacles to peace, in oeder to secure thtOil own ends. All who have hail experience of these men will, 1 venture to think, bear inc. out in stating they will not, hcs/ilatc to pursue their ends, evon if against the wishes of the Tsar and his advisers. "As to the result of a conflict, I faii to see what the Russian fleet can 'do. Vessels foul very fast in those waters. Kvcn to save a week or ten days' anchorage in Hongkong UaiLiour, the n>aii|l:r>nl« are sent up the Canton River to Whampoa, where they lie in fresh water, and the weeds iv.'Tl barnacles drop oIT to a certain extent ; at any rate, they do not accumulate. 1 once journeyed from Hakodate to Yokohama in a Japanese steamer, which had such an immense accumulation of barnacles that a man could walk round thf outside of the ship on the projictions. This was supposed to be a 12-knot limit, but with every stitch «f canvas set and a full head of steam six knots was the utmost speed obtainable. Of course, this was before the Ja[>nese had' built docks of their own. What, then, must ho the condition of the firstclass battleships and cruisers of the Russian fleet for which no docks are available? Certainly the ships that have made the long voyage out must not only ritfiMire docking, but in all probability wiil retpiire extensive relilting and repairs as well. " I\x Russian! fleet, under such ciicumstauces, canned) venture out far from its base, and tnen .only in full fonce, liable to an attack by an enemy who can easily steam round il. Then, affain, the Japanese possess an enormous advantage in the Inland Sea. which forms their Panama Canal. Their fast boats can reconnoitre from either end, intercept arid capture colliers and •transports, as well as locate any 'lame duck' or foul J bottonied niaiii-of-wnr. Thus while the Russians cannot force their own waters, the Japanese can manoeuvre.! fnoely asxl choojui their own time and place of attack, well knowing that the loiter they put matters off the worse it will be for the fast-fouling Russian vessels. "The Russian; army is. no doubt, a brave and powerful force, but it must be to a great extent dependent upon the maintenance of its connections with its liase,- and 'as i>Ke consist of a single lino of railway thousands o( miles in length. I ask, is lit possible to conceive that such a line can be efficiently protected in war time against an active and resolute enemy ? If I am correct, there can only be one end to such a conflict—viz., the defeat of the Russian navy, and, consequent thereon, the compulsory withdrawal of their army."