RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 282, 2 December 1904, Page 2

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

YESTERDAYS CABLES SUMMARISED. WORK AROUKD TOUT ARTHUR. LONDON, Nov. 30. The Japanese claim to have captured two additional north-eastern forts ami about one-third of West ( iveekwan, at the same time effect-Y ing a major ■odgjiie-nt in Pigeon Bay. This will have the effect of turning the Russian position on 203 Metre Hill. The Japanese add that their troops are now tunnelling from a gorge lielow Liaotishan, which they hope they will damage and then rush. Desperate. lighting, takes place daily. The besiegers' losses are admittedly excessive, but they insist that within 20 days the place must tall. Mr Bennett Burleigh, Daily Telegraph corrcsuondent, reports that the Japanese exploded mines under the north-east corner ol Ihe Russian main defences near the Erlungshan forts, throwing a portion of the gtlacits into the great moat. The besiegers also assaulted another of the minor Keekwan forts. In the subsequent rush and struggle, which lasted about an hour, four thousand Japanese were slain. The Standard Tokio correspondent says that aceoMling to an unofficial report the Japanese hauled large calibre guns to the top, of 203 Metre Hill, their lire sweeping the harbour and throwing the already crippled warships into confusion. (Received Dec. 1, 10.55 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 1. It is reported in Tokio that the Japanese have carried and retained ihe south-eastern portion of Fort No. 203. (Received Dec. 2, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 1. An oflicial message to Tokio says tfcat the Japanese near the summit advanced) at ten o'clock on the morning of the 30tli and struggled for possession of the south-eastern portion of tke fort crowning 203 Hill, ■a tierce battle lasting all day. Router's Tokio agent wires that on Thursday the Japanese captured and now hold Fort 203,. IN MANCHURIA. JAPANESE WINTER QUARTERS COMFORTABLE. LONDON, Nov. SO. The Japanese at Shaho are in comfortable trenches warmed by underground flues similar to those in Chinese khangs. They aire well clad and (ad. ; REINFORCING KUROPATKIN. ACCRETIONS TO HIS FORCE SINCE SHAHO. (Received Dec. 2, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, Dec, 1. The Standard's Odessa correspondent authoritatively states that since tine battle of Shaho General ivuropaUdn's iai|nforcements amount to 34,000 men, with 72 gums. Further drafts of 38,000 men, with 88 guns, reach the fort hy the end of December. JAPANESE DIET OPENS. MIKADO CONGRATULATES THE ARMY AND PEOPLE. (Received Dec 2, 1.9 a.m.) TOKIO, Dec. 1. The Mikado, in opening the Diet, said that relations with neutrals were increasingly cordial. The true pa were victorious in every ensageiuent, anjiJ, displaying increasbnlliancy and valour, made secure thcrtr steady progress. He was confident that his subjects' loyalty and devotion would ensure their ultimate success.