RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 140, 17 June 1904, Page 3

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Naval Activity. ESCAPE OF THE VLADIVOSTOK SQUADRON. A SEA FIGHT PROCEEDING. LONDON, June 15. It is reported at Tokio that Admiral Skrydloff has escaped from Vladivostok with (presumably) the grtiadron that has been penned up there,, and that a naval action is now proceeding near Ikishima, in the Straits of Korea. Reports received at Nagasaki state that Japanese warships engaged Admiral Skrydloff, but the result is unknown.

Admiral Skrydloff, who succeeded ■Rear-Admiral in the command ot the Vladivos'.jk drfjmdron, sails in the protected iruiser Rossia (12,200 tons, 20 knots, four Bin. and sixteen 6in. guns, Captain Arnotoff) aa his flagship. The squadron is composed of the Rossia, the armoured cruisers tiromaboi, 12,326 tons (Captain Datoitch). which was in Melbourne at- the time of the Duke of York's visit, and the Rurik, 10,923 tons (Captain Trusoff). There is also of course the stranded cruiser Bogtatyr (Captain Stemmanl), and the auxiliary cruiser Lona, of ttoe volunteer fleet (Captain Tunderman). In addition to.these were also ten torpedo boats at Vladivostok. With suoh a sguadion Admiral Skrydloff was venturesome to go in search of the powerful Japanese squadron. A BOLO COMMANDER TURNING THE TABLES ON JAPAN'S FLEETS, LONDON, June 15, A recent unconfirmed report received at St. Petersburg states that Admiral Skrydloff brought the armoured cruisers Rossia, Kurik, and Grontoiboi within thirty miles of Port Arthur, but was unable to enter, and returned. It is reported at Tokio that Admiral Skrydloff is now attempting to pass straight eastward, and is (being vigorously opposed. It is believed that lie intended to cause a •diversion in Russia's favour, amd then disorganise Japanese plans by •destroying transports.

A SORTIE FROM PORT ARTHUR. LONDON, June 15. Tha Novik (a protected cruiser) emerged yesterday and engaged the blockading ships, at Port Arthur, and then returned. .(.Received June 16, 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, June 16. The Novik, with ten destroyers, came out under the protection of tho shore batteries, which maintained a heavy cannonade. The Japanese flotilla slowly retreated, trying to decoy, the cruiser out far enough to attempt to cut her off from the harbour, but the Russians, after a sharp exchange of shots, retired.

JAPANESE COMMANDERS WARNED. LONDON, June 15. Japanese commanders have been warned that important naval movements are expected. PROVISION JUNKS CAPTURED. LONDON, June 15. General Stackelberg describes how the Japanese fleet seized oil Che-foo a fleet of junks loaded with rice and flour for Port Arthur. TORPEDO BOATS SHELL LAND FORCES. (Received June 16, 10.50 p.m.) • LONDON, June 16. Captain Tsuchuya, commanding a flotilla of torpedo boats and destroyers, on the 14th reconnoitred /Shao-pißg-tan, bombarding the Russian outposts. / ' PORT ARTHUR ENTRANCE f AGAIN MINED. Japanese vedette boats, protected •y destroyers, on Monday night placed mines at the entrance to Port Arthur, and returned to the fleet untouched. Operations en Land. AS ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION. HELD BY JAPANESE. LONDON, Juno 15. The occupation of the Si-su Pass, eastward of the Sfo-tien-ling heights, gives the Japanese command of the valley through which the Tai-tscho flows to liao-yang. THE DEFENCE OF LIAO-YANG. RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS. LONDON, June 15. The Russians are constructing a deep moat on all sides three miles outside of Liao-yang, and aro mounting artillery on the hills. ON THE ROAD TO LIAO-YANG. A BATTLE IMMINENT. -~ (Received June 16, 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, June 16. The headquarters staff of the Japanese Second Army Corps reports that the army is drawing close to the Russians, who are increasing in strength. A battle is imminent. The First Army Corps has not fought since the 12th, when it expelled two companies of Russians from Wulsono, killing twenty of the enemy. Russians have re-occupied several small towns on roads leading to Liao-yang and llai-cheng.

Reverse at Fu-ehon. A RUSSIAN POSITION ATTACKED. JAPANESE DRIVEN BACK. LONDON, June ID. General Stackelberg cabled the Czar at noon on the 14th :—" The Japanese repeatedly and vigorously attacked our position six kilometres (a little over three miles and a half) south of Wa-fan-hoon (supposed to be Wa-fang-kan) but were repulsed the Russians retaining the position, though sustaining serious losses. Colonel Khavannoff was amongst those killed, and Oeneral Gerncross was severely wounded.. B General Kuropatkin, in his report, vaguely refers to losses, which arc supposed to relate to the same event. RUSSIANS LOSE A THOUSAND MEN. GUNS ABANDONED. •TROOPS RETREATING IN DISORDER. .(.Received June 16, 10.59 p.m.) LONDON, June 16. News received at Tokio from un•official sources reports that a desperate battle has taken place at Fuchon, ahotit seventy miles north of Port Arthur, on the Port Arthur-Niu-chwang railway. Tho Russians lost a thousand men, . and abandoned their guns, subsequently retreating in disorder, Seven - thousand men reached Nlu-chwang, .and other* hare fled to Ki-chl-chao.

CABLE HEWS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) „