RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 134, 9 June 1904, Page 3

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

REPORTED SORTIE FROM PORT ARTHUR. LONDON, Juno 7, Unofficial reports from Che-foo state that the Russian fleet at Port Arthur made a sortie last night. Heavy firing was heard for several hours. IX MANCHURIA. LONDON", Juno 7. General Kuropatkin reports a five hours' light eighteen miles west of Feng-hwang-cheng. The Japanese were prevented from crossing the valley. General Kuropatkin and his stalT are between Hai-cheng and Tas-chi-chao. The Russians hare evacuated Sin'-min-ting, and are joining their troops on the road to Mukden. RUSSIAN MOBILISATION". LONDON, June 7. Tho Czar hgs ordered the mobilisation of the First Army Corps, stationed at St. Petersburg and in the neighbourhood. General lleyendorfl commands it. Russian reservists largely employed in industrial enterprises have been sent to the front, because it was suspected that they are more dissatisfied with the Government '•hnn the fresh levies. THE BALTIC FLEET. LONDON, June 7. It is stated In a special article published in the Times that there are numerous proofs of the impiobability of the Baltic Fleet going to the Far East during the present year. Many of the vessels will not be finished in time. NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENTS IN TROUBLE. LONDON, June 7. Chinese soldiers fired at Mr Lewis Etzil (Daily Telegraph correspondent at Tien-tsin) and Mr Brindle (Daily Mail's correspondent at Hin-chwang) while a junk in which tho correspondents were travelling was between Shan-tai-tzn and Erdiko. Mr Etzil was killed, but it is believed Mr Bundle escaped. Both were investigating the movements of the bandits. DESTROYING SUBMARINE JUNES. Admiral Togo reports having discovered and blown up forty-one mines in Talien-wnn Bay. RUSSIAN DEPREDATIONS. (Received June 8, 9.48 p.m.) LONDON, June 8. Some Russian troops (presumably Cossacks, as Cossack reinfrocements have been expected during the past few days) from Ham-heung are proceeding south-west. They speared and killed a prefect who refused to furnish them with food. Cossacks are committing great depredations throughout the districts between An-ju and Kaichyou. THE THREAT TO MANHCURIANS LONDON, June 8. China protested against tho confirmation of a proclamation issued by Prince Alexieff to Mnnchurians, in which they were informed that they " must protect the railway, under pain of extermination." The protest was unavailing. THE MURDERED JOURNALIST. LONDON, June 8. Mr Lewis Etzil, the Daily Telegraph correspondent reported to have been shot by Chinese, was an American. Mr Miller, American Consul at Niu-chwang, has gone to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. THE CZAR'S COMMONSENSE. (Received June 9, 0.10 a.m.) LONDON, Juno 8. French advices state that the Czar's common sense triumphed over intrigues. He trusted General Kuropatkin's judgment, and merely asked if it were possible to send an army south. General Kuropatkin regretted that tho task was an impossible one. PENT UP IN PORT ARTHUR. LONDON, Juno 8. It is stated that Chines* in Port Arthur are not allowed to quit the town lest the discontent of the soldiers with their rations, and also facts relating to the actual condition of the town should be revealed. One who escaped declared rixty others were killed while trying to escape. THE SUNKEN GUNBOAT. LONDON, Juno 8. Admiral Togo reports that the Russian gunboat struck by a Japanese torpedo and sunk at Port Arthur on Saturday was the Grcmiaschy, and not a vessel of the Gilyak typo.