WAR IN THE FAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 37, 13 February 1904, Page 3

WAR IN THE FAR EAST.

.—• THE CHEMULPHO FIGHT. RUSSIAN FORCES MOBILISING IN MANCHURIA AND RESERVES ORDERED OUT. 4* , , THE BAIKAL RAILWAY. NAVAL REINFORCEMENTS WANTED FOR . EASTERN WATERS. ■WUS (Unite*! Trosa Association-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright.)

Progress of the War. THE ENGAGEMENT OP CHEMULLONDON/Feb. 11. When Admiral Uncus' squadron appeared the Ruaaian vessels tried to escape, but the torpedo" "*""" , "" 1 across their bows. The first shot of the wa* was fucd by the Russiap crui The Russians returned to the harbour, and next day Admiral Urius threatened to attack unless they left. The VaaTng tried t0 6a> n A running, fight wsucd, the Japanese making much the best shooting. The! Ooreete caMaht fire, ■ anji the flames spread to the magazine, and caused an explosion. The Russians lost nVavlly, though the French cruiser Bbscal ilepicued many ot both crews. SeTeral Japanese vessels were slightly danvwed. RUSSIAN DUPLICITY AT PORT SAH). JftL-OMEATMENT- OF JAPANESE. A ST. PETERSBURG COMPLAINT DISPROVED. LOSDON, Feb. 11. The Smolensk was allowed at Port Said to take aboard sufficient coal to carry her to the nearest home port, but she entered the canal with a torpado-tooait. The Smolensk is the largest and f*test of the Russian volunteer fleet. One hundred Japanese are at Vladivostok, still awaiting repatriation. They complain hhat their houses were destroyed and jewellery and furniture, stolen, the police being indifferent. General Sir lan Hamilton has keen attached to the Japanese army, and Ma}«r-Geiieral H. J. Hildyard will command in South Africa. There is no confirmation of the statement that a French garrison has succeeded the Russians at Shan-hai-kwan. Dr. Morrison, t!Je Times' correspondent, says the Russians made exaggerated statements as to the number of Cossacks in Manchuria, due to the claim in 1900 for an indemnity of eighteen million Bterliug for military expenses on toe ground that Russia had ITO.OOO men in the field, while in! realty there were under 5000. Ninety per «ent. of the claim was, however, conceded. The Times says it is dear the opened lire hours before Port Arpiur ' d, and this dispones of iplaint that Japan as-

TROUBLE AMONG PORT ARTHUR AND DALNY GARRISONS. RUSSIA MOBILISING IN MANCHURIA. LONDON, Feb. 11. There is a panic at PoFt Arthur ond Dakiy, and the soldiery is showing signs of getting out of band. Officers condemn Alioxieff's lack of prurience end foresight, and pronounce him a drawing-room commander. Japan has seized Masampho, and intends to mako it a naval and military baso. Germany has agreed with the suggestion ot Colonel Hay (U.S. Secretary for State), regarding the neutrality and integrity of China. ! at Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., ve initiated a fund to provide Japan with a warship. Owing to the danger of passing a train across the ice on Lake Baikal, tm/m traversed tbe lake afoot, und .terial and provisions are transported by means of a temporary railway. The mobilisation of Russian troops in MancMuria is rapidly proceeding. The soldiery at Dalny and Tort 'Arthur are clamouring for General +*-- 'j^ uss |an Minister tor mander.

The Latest. RUSSIA ANXIOUS TO GET MOUE SHU'S FAST. HASTY RAILWAY BUILDINC!. WAR UNPOPULAR AIIONtiST RUSSIAN POPULACE. LONDON, Feb. 12. The Daily News states that Count Benekemdorff (Russian Ambassador in London) has asked Lord Lansdowne to saltation Russia nxtuesting the Porte to allow tire passage through the Dantlamerk-s of the Illack Sea Beet. It is reported that Rupsia has asked permission for fifteen stops of the Baltic fleet to pass through the Kiel canal. Russia is mobilising forty thousand reservists. Tlie contractors have boon promised a bonus of three tihousand roubles for every verst of the ice railway on Lak« Baikal completed before February 28th. Russian cruisers are preventing tlfc Japanese steamer Kaniagiaga Main from leaving Malta. Ten thousand tons of goods are lying cm the wharves at Antwerp, ready Sor shipment to Japan, but shiupers are afraid to despatch vessels. Fearing that N'fciuehwang will be attacked Ruusia is strengthening with feverish haste die defences at Mukden and Liao-Yang. Japan approves of Colonel Hay's to localise the war. Count lnouj'e, Japanese Minister at Berlin, states that if successful Japan will platt Manchuria under China's sovereignty. The war is decidedly unpopular in Russia, despite efforts to galvanize the [jeople's patriotism into life. It is stated in Washington that Britain a<i»proves of the principle of OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION. WELLINGTON, Feb. 12. A supplement to the New Zealand Giuwttu contains a notification of British neutrality on the occasion of war betww.n Russia and Japan. It is pointid out that the Foreign Enlistment Act provides for the punis'hment of the master or owner of a sjiip who knowingly takes on board such sMp any person who, being a British subject, has without the license of his Majesty accepted or agived lo accept ulny engagement in military or naval services of any foreign State at war with any friendly State. No shop of wur of either belligerent yhall be iH'rmitUd, while in any British port, to lake in supplies except s'.ich provisions as are requisites for th'j Kutoislincc of the crew and sufficient coal to carry hvi to the nearest port in her own coun-

Later News. THE FATE OF THE V Alt VAC JAPANESE LOSSES AT PORT »* ARTHUR. WARNING TO INVESTORS. (Received Feb. 13, 10.33 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 12. Tokio accounts state that the captain of the Russian cruiser Varvag remoitnod and exploded hra ship after the crew had escaped by swimming either to the French waisivip or aShore. The Russian Naval Department asserts that six Japanese ships were damaged at Port Arthur, 50 Japanese killed, and 150 wounded. It is reported at Pekin that the Government is Heading two hundred thousand Boiers to Manchuria. The injury to the railway bridge, reported yesterday, is attributed to the Boxers. Owing to tiie hoavy fall in securities the Russian, Government has warned investors against rash selling. Two Japanese warships are awaita ing the Russian gunboat Mangur at the mouth of the Yang-tse-kiang.

Notes. j Owing to the outbreak of hostilities, Syilney wheat transactions are considerable, and there is an active market. Rates aie a penny stronger. Tire Yawatu Mara, the Vast Japanese mail steamer to quit Australia, has a uiluaMc cargo. The vessel left Thursday Island on Monday under svaVd orders. She will probably go a roundiaiotit route to Japanl Correspondence between Japanese officers and llr Napier (chairman of ' the Auckland branch of -the Navy Leaguv) shows tival as early as IX>-ct-mber a plan of attack upon Port Arthur had been definitely decided upon by the Japanese Admiralty, even thvir jjai-licular duties being well known to the Japanese officers at that time. One wrote by last mail : "War is inevftaWe. We know that we can destroy the UiLssian fleet. I have been already detailed to go to Fort Arthur on the outbieakof war to destroy a Russian battleship with 18-inch lish torpedo. 1 shall d» this very well, but cami«)t expect to be alive afterwards. 1 shall be killed with Russia* shells. so wish you gsod-bye. Our oilicttrs anil men in the whole fleet are very jolly, ankl very anxious for the war to begin." Captain Dawson, of 'the warship Penguin, ifuestioned as to what would happen so far as Australasia was concerned if Rritain were drawn into war, said it was probable the Australasian stpiaidron would be ordered East, survey vessels be laid up. and the officers and crew sent to wssels likely to be engagsd in the conflict. He said there were no giou'ndsfor fear so far as the colonies were concerned, as no European navy, in the event of war with nritain, could spare the vessels to come here. Even if they did, thev could gvl mi coal. lioinbardmenls horn sea had a moial effect, but did little damage. for inwlaiiee, if a hostile Mes.vel pot as far as Auckland liheie would he a demand for money, ani.l they would clear oIT when they got it. K was against the international rules of war t<i bomliond a defenceless town.

THE WORK OP THE TORPEDO. (Received Feb. 13, 0.11 a.m.) LONDON. Feb. 12. Accounts which have reached Tokio show that under a heavy fire, the Japanese fleet on Monday night attacked Port Arthur. Torpedo-boats crept unperceived close, inshore between the Russian ships and the harbour. When the ships began to give way and tried to re-enter the harbour torpedoes were discharged, sinking three warships at the entrance and cutting off the retreat of the others. American accounts state that three of the torpedo boats sank,

I ATiot.V-r usual ollicei' states that Port. Arthur is not so strong as the KuKsiaiw would make out, and unless Russia has i A -en accumulating coa lor years she cannot keep her f'hips running very long. If Welsh coa!is on Urn way for the Hussians the ships of the Japs will seize it. He lull.y expected fhut British ships are shallowing both Russia'!. and , warships, keeping out of the line of lire, of course. THE CAPITAL <>f"korf,A. The Japanese are carrving out, -i ; vigorous campaign), l„,| ( „„ s ~,', jland. A cable .vreivod vest'erdar ' morning slatod that, thev had „('• , cupiod Seoul (Sool. Soul' Seal „ m | Sayool) the capital of Korea ' The ,nan>e merely signifies capilal. the proper name of Hi,, ,-itv heing llan-M-nng, "t,> fortress on |i:„. || IIM ." It is »5 miles hy r„ad from Hie port of Chemnl jiho, lo which the second-class Ilritis'li cruiser Sinus 'has been ordeiiid. .. It is possible to ' go from the port to the capital by (following the winding river Han for j55 utiles. In ISS2 (.'hemul-pho was ja handful of mud huts. Openiifg it ( to foreign .trade caused a "boom," I and to-day it has Jour good setti'enients, Chinese. Japanese, Korean, 1 and Foreign. The Sirius will find u ;'safe anchorage in the outer harbour, : but t-li! hiwr b(i;iir is 5ir.,,11 and silts tip. There is no glory about , Seoul, and it js unclean. "A street flitl of Koreans," says a writer, , "Suggests tlw orthodox notion of j tin' ressurectioii. Everybody is in j white nf fs, and even though a man I 1-as only one suit in the world it is clean. Poverty reigns in the cily—extreme, universal, 'hopeless. Society is staiginant, and one is confronted with x. !e striking discrepancy between the excellent possibilities of the people and the almost unimagin- , able sloth and degradation in which l they are content to exist."