RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 137, 14 June 1904, Page 3

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Port Arthur. THE N EARING OF THE END. LONDON, June 12. The population, of Port Arthur expect Sunday's attack to prove decisive. Port Arthur has been incessantly (bombarded for seven days. The western portion has been destroyed and several ships struck. SAPPING TOWARDS THE FORTS. June 14, 0.57 a.m.) LONDON, June 13. *n»e Japancsc are steadily and cautiously sapping towards the Port Arthur, fortifications, throwing up earthworks under covar of heavy bombarding. A number of Japanese parliamentarian*, correspondents, and attaches, including Colonel Hoad, the Australian representative, have started from Tokio by the steamer Manchuria or it tour of inspection o( the Korean and Liao-tung coasts and the Elliott isianda. This i» supposed to indicate that the main assault on Port Arthur will not occur for at least ten days. Operations in Shln-klng. REPORTS OF BATTLES. LONDON, June 12. Rom« reports that wounded Russian officers arriving at Liao-yang declare that many land battles have occurred. JAPANESE STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES, (Received June 13, 10.20 p.m.) LONDON, June 13. Sieu-zen and Siama-tsc are regarded- at Tokio as potations of great strategic importance. The former controls the roads to Kai-ping and Hai-cheng, and the latter the roads leading to Liao-yang and Mukden. General Kuroki is thus enabled to avofti the 110-tden-ling mountains. _ The Japanese fleet entered Kai"ping Bay and bombarded and damaged the fortifications, Btopping the departure southward of military trains. (Received June 14, 0.57 a.m.) LONDON, June 13. The New York Herald states that the occupation of the Sisu Pass has placed the principal strategic point on the road to Mukden in Japanese bands. A LIGHT""RAILWAY. (Beceivsd June 14, 0.57 a.m.) LONDON, June 13. General Kuroki is building » light railway from the Ya-lu to Feng-fcwang-rtwng. Various Items. ( i-:4U 11 ■- contraband. LONDON, June 12. Great Britain protested against Bussia. s declaration that rice and other food stuffs are contraband. HBUEF FOR RUSSIAN SUCK AND WOUNDED. LONDON, June 12. The English Red Cross Society sent £2OOO to St. Petersburg in aid ol Russian sick and wounded. A CURIOUS STORY. (Received June 14, 0.57 a.m.) LONDON, June 13. Persistent reports are in circula- - tlon tfcat a submarine boat protec"V tor has been smuggled from NcwP Dr t, with arn>9 for Japan. The Russian press demands an explanation of the occurrence. THE SIEGE OF VLADIVOSTOK. SUPPLIES RUNNING SHORT. ™ . . LONDON, Juno 13. lne high price of food is causing great distress in Vladivostok, and it is feared the town will soon be without light, the stocks of petroleum and candles being nearly exhausted. . KUROPATKIN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WAR. (Received June 14, 1.6 am) LONDON, June 13. A Reuter message states that St. Peterrtmrg military circles allege that the sole responsibility for the war now rests on General Kuropatkin, hence it is not anticipated that any serious attempt will be made to relieve Port Arthur. Four or five troop trains reach Mukden daily. The Japanese are strictly blockading Niu-chwang.