RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 281, 1 December 1904, Page 2

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

TUB BESIEGERS' PROGRESS AT PORT ARTHUR. MAIN POSITIONS CAPTURED. LONDON, Nov. 29. Beulcr's Tokio agent reports that the .1 apanese captured IJO!! Metre Hill, commanding the harbour, during a night attack, nnd that 90 per cent, of t'he positions around Port Arthur have been captured. (Received Nov. !!U, 9.18 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. HO. 'lho following ollicial messaye has reached Tokio : "With regard to the Russian entrenchments at slian eastwards we have llrmly occupied the top of the counterscarps and adjoining works. The time to storm huH not yet came. We are now destroying casements and other caponieres." The message adds that in the. uttuck on 208 Metre Hill

"several charges enabled us to capture the shelter trenches near the summit. We are holding the position gained, and are endeavouring to capture the whole fort."

Advices received at Oie-foo state that the Japanese positions at- Er-lung-shan and ICik-wan-shan are the most promising. A detachment of the ll'th division, after several days bombarding, advanced on the afternoon of the 24-th and rushed again and again the trenches guarding the south-eastern Kik-wun-s-han forts. The trenches were stubbornly contested for five hours, but after several repulses the Japanese final'lyl'gained possession. Many of the assailants carried sandbags, behind which they entrenched themselves in the captured positions. A sortie from the fort ivas repulsed after a twi hours' light. (Received Dec. 1, 0.50 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 30. The Daily News' Tokio correspondent says that General Nogi has stopped the genenal assault, nJUI that the sappprs have resumed operations.

IN MANCHURIA. OPERATIONS NOT STRONGLY PROSECUTED. LONDON, Nov. 29. Aiivioes from 1 Mukden state that many of General Kui'oki's reiuforcemcnts are raw recruits. The garrisons at Takushan, Fpngh wang-cheng, Ying-kow, and a portion of Liao-yang have been replaced by less efficient troops, Japan's main efforts being directed against Port Arthur. General Sakharoff (Chief of Staff to General Kuropatkm) reports that a blinding snowstorm suspended an attack on Sinkhaitchen, though the Japuiie.se were withm 000 paces of thfe Russian position. A turning movement was subsequently checked. REPORTED .JAPANESE FAILURE. RENNENKAMPF DRIVES THEM SLOWLY BACK. (Received Dec. 1, 0.60 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 30. Gonenal Kuropntkin reports that General Renuenkompf, in repelling a freah attack, foiled a Japanese turn,tog movement on the 28th. He collected and buried 230 Japanese dead, arid took mamy rifles and entrenching tools. General SafcliarofT reports that the Japanese on the Russian left arc slowly retiring. CONTRABAND. JAPAN THE GAINER BY BLOCKADE RUNNING. LONDON, Nov. 29. The Times says that Japan has gained far more than Russia by the willingness of British shippers and shipowners to undertake the risks of contraband. DRUNKEN RUSSIAN SAILORS. SAID TO BE CAUSING TROUBLE AT SHANGHAI. (Received Dec. 1, 0.50 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 30, The Daily Mail states that the Russian sailors interned at Shanghai are troublesome. Owing to the slack regulations drunken brawls are frequent.