RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 285, 6 December 1904, Page 2

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

RENEWED ACTIVITY IN MANCIIURiA. YEN-TAI MNES IN DISPUTE. LONDON, Dec. 4. Ilu.sMan official despatches claim that General Rcnnenkampf' drove tho Japanese as far as Toi-tse. laud that 50 Japanese were killed, also that during skirmishing on the Shaho 2>5 Japanese were bayonetted. There are indications that the Hussions are trying to regain the Yentai mines. There uie live miles of continuous Russian ami Japanese underground works from Luiahin-pu table. The troops move about unseen, and their voices are mutually mulible in some places. a russian night surprise japanese ihvouao rudely disturbed. (Received Dec. 5, 11.87 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5. The Mukden correspondent of the Itusse reports that a Cossack party on Friday night surprised a bivouac south of Lidiunlown, killing many men and capturing eight guns. VLADIVOSTOK PRIZE COURT. DECISION REVERSED BY CENTRAL POWER. ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 4. . The Prize Court released 5000 sucks of flour seized aboard the steamer Arabia, and decided that the Vladivostok Court's decision regarding the sinking of the steamer was unjust. The German owners of the Thca iare claiming £89,000 damages. THE JAPANESE FLEET. SHIPS REPAIRED AND READY FOR ANYTHING. (Received Dec. 5, 10.45 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5. Repairs to the Japanese warships have been secretly proceeding since August, and the warships are now ready for anything. French /officers sighted tho Masaki and Asahi recently at Sasebo. They appeared to be completely refitted. COMMANDING POSITIONS. PUT TO GOOD USE BY THE JAPANESE. LONDON, Dec. 5. The Japanese have occupied Skaflakayama Hill, 300 yards south of Metre Hill, and have firmly secured Metre Hill and mounted heavy guns there which sweep the harbour and can enfilade Erlunga. JAPANESE FINANCE. STATEMENT OF THE MINISTER IN CHARGE. LONDON, Dec. 5. Tin? Japanese Finance Minister has assured the House of Representatives that the energy and strength of tho nation is undiminished. The war budget was for seventy-seven millions sterling, and it would only bo necessary to borrow fifty-flvo millions in 1905. Economics in the ordinary budget permitted the diversion of twelve millions to war purposes,

THE FIGHT FOR METHE HILL. STORIES OF ATTACK ANB COUNTER-ATTACK. (Received Dec. fi, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5. The struggle for Metre Hill occupied live days' desperate fighting. The fourth charge, made on the 27th ult., was successful in capturing Red Hill, south of Metre Hill. After two failures a third especially furious counter attack wus made at night, and the Russians recaptured the fort. Next day the Japanese attacked Metro Hill desperately and while advancing, between Metre and Red Kills were decimated by tho fire from both forts ; but they swept on, capturing tho south-east corner and the northern face, and also taking n lodgment near the parapet on the south-west face. Tho operations were very costly, both sides throwing many grenades. At dawn on the 29th. Russians made a furious coun-ter-attack, which was largely successful ; but on the 30th strong Japanese reserves renewed the attack on the sooth-west face, fighting being] continuous all day. (Received Dec. 6, 0.3 .a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5. The attack on Metre Hill was continueli with vigour, the Japanese artillery, assisted by the ships outside, proving very effective. During the afternoon the Russians weakened and at five o'clock tho Japanese tried but failed to rush the trenches, j losing heavily. They were opportunely reinforced, the newcomers, with loud shouts-, hurling themselves [repeatedly against the Russians, who 1 at half-past seven broke and sullenly retired. Almost simultaneously the. south-east angle was carried, and the whole fortress had fallen by eight. Then Red Hill was captured.

Russian reinforcements had been summoned by telephone, but arrived just too late. They, however, delivered six desperate counter-attacks, the last one extending over eight hours. Many bayonet encounters took place, but finally, after suffering terrible losses, the Russians on tho Ist retreated.

BACK FROM THE FRONT, AMERICAN OPINIONS ON JAPANESE PROSPECTS. (Received Dec. &. 1.15 a.m.) BRISBANE, Dec. 0. The Miowera has arrived from Vancouver. Mr Archibald, representing Collier's Weekly, who with two other American war correspondents has arrived fnom Honolulu, stated in. on interview that ho was with tho Russians up to tho battle of Liao-yang. This, ho declared, was a negative victory for the Japanese, who had 75,000 more men than the Russians. General Kuropatkin had only 40,000. The despised Siberians almost won the bat/tie, and would have dono so but for one regiment breaking. This regiment was paraded, and its Colonel and Licut.-Colonel dismissed from tho army. Ocnerul Kuropatkin had intended filing back beyond .Mukden ; but tho Japanese were so exhausted that be decided not to do so. The artillery duel"' at Liao-yang, the correspondent said, was the greatest the world had ever seen. Tho Russian cavalry was the finest in the world, but it had no chance of operating owing to tho mud and tho high corn in the fields. Now large 'reinforcements ef European cavalry had arrived it would soon be able to operate. Tho Russians' bravery -was real, but the Japanese wore impelled by tanaticism. Ho believes the Japanese will never take Port Arthur. Licutienant McNully, of the United Stutes Navy, who has just come out of Port Arthur, is of the same opinion.