Progress of Events.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 38, 15 February 1904, Page 3

Progress of Events.

BOXERS NOT BEING USED BY CHINA, THE FIGHT AT POUT ARTHUR. REPAIRING THE DAMAGED RUSSIAN WARSHIPS. LONDON, Feb. 12. THe rejaort that China Is utilising Boxers is not confirmed. It is attributed to earlier rumours, awl turns on their activity on the Mongollan border. ■ Wei-tvai-wei was pot used as a base for the torpedo boats attacking Port Arthur on the Bth. The New York Herald says the Russian cruiser Pailaria was on tho outer edge of the fleet. The chief brtiHery officer noticed tour torpedo boats approaching, using Russian signals, and informed the captain tlmt tihey were Japanese. The ollicer nevertheless prepared for action, Bind when a torpedo was launched the Pallada retaliated immediately. 'A Russian cargo steamer, the Sungar i, wae- sunk during tbe CheinulpT.o tight. Japan is concentrating troops at many points in Korea for mi aidvtance on the Yalu. LiauvGeneral Baron Karonti is commander of the First Army Corps, The Daily Mail's CnsJoo corrospon* Beat says that ob tka nigfct of tha Bth a special perfonaance was held at Port Arthur of a circus. The (fudienee was chiefly raa,val and military officers. It lasted till early morning of the 9th. Prince Alexieff repoits that the Czarevitch and Pallada, injured during the Japanese attack on Port Arthur, have been brought into the toner harbour, axd the Retvisan's leak temporarily stopped. Tha repaiiyng of tfle ironcltarta is complicated. wo*k, and It is difficult to indicate wihen it will be completed. The Palhuda, and Novik will be successively 'docked, and repairs completed in about afortnigiht. He hopes the others will be ready in three days. The majority of the wounded belong to the PuHlada. Tfley were poisoned by melinite gases. An extra vigilant watch has been kept at night without result. THE PASSAGE OF KIEL CANAL. BERLIN, Feb. 13. Official circles in Berlin profess ignorance in regard to ths passage of a Russian squadron through ths Riel Canal. EMPEROR MUTSO IHKO'S PROCLAMATION. REASONS FOR THE WAR. SYDNEY, Feb. 13. The Japanese Consul has received t£e full text of the Euiperor'B proclamation. It is a stirring appeal to all lojual subjects. After pointing out how be had always stm en to promote the pacific progress of the Japanese Empire in civilisation, and to strengthen the friendly tics with other States, and how the relations wrUi other Powers had been steadily •growing in cordiality, he says :—" It was thus greatly agarast our expectations that we have unhappily come to open hostilities with Russia, The tntegiity of Korea has been a matter of constant concern to this Empire, not only because of our trade relations with that country, but becauso a separate existence for Korea is esiauual to the welfare of our realm, Nevertheless, Russia, in disregard cf her solemn treaty pledges to China and her repeated assunancee to other Powers, is stiij u occupation of MaHchurki, and has consolidated and strengthtened her hold upon these provinces, and is Lent upon theil final Since the absorption of Mcmchuria by Itussia Would render it impossible to maintain ths intogrity of China, and would in addition cornel the abandonment of all hope of peace in tab extromo East, wo determiaod, in these circumstances, to gettls the questions by •tho conduct of negotiations and aecure therdby permanont peace. Ruskiu, however, never met such proj>osals in u spirit of conciliation, but by ber wanton delays, put off a settlement of tho question, and by ostensibly advocating peace on the one hand, while she was on Hie other hand extending her naval and military preparations, sought to accomplish her own selfish designs. Wo cannot in the leust admit that Kussia had from the first any serious or genuine desire for peace. She has rejected our proposals for tho safety of Kptva, endangered the interests of ou>- Empire, and menaced us. The guarantees for the future which we have failed to secure by ivacefult negotiations we can now only seek \,y nn appeal |to arms."