THE EASTERN WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7826, 19 May 1905, Page 3

THE EASTERN WAR.

I BRITISH DEFENCES. 9 Foarth Baltic Fleet Ordered. ROZHDESTVEHSRY'S DISOBEDIENCE. f A British Demonstration. LONDON, May 17. A German ship which has arrived L at Hongkong reports that she * saw j fifty vessels of the Baltic fleet at j Honkobe on the 14th. Admiral Birileff has ordered the ' commanders of the ships of the ' fourth Baltic fleet to be in readiness j to sail on June 14. Elliot Island, Hongkong, and Singapore are in a complete state of defence. This, coupled with complete reinforcements on the British-China J station, in interpreted in Tokio as a, virtual demonstration by Croat Britain. Baron Suyematsu, in a letter to the French paper Lc Matin, says the absence of a 24 hours' rule cannot imply that warships arc allowed an unlimited stay in French waters. Russia herself adopted 24 hours, and .when the Caar ordered Admiral Rozhdestvtensky to) leave, his obstinate sojourn on tho coast of Indo-Cbina , was an affront towards France and an act of disobedience towards his own Government." The Retain to Honkobe.

Plea of Justification. THE RUMOURED OCCUPATION. MERELY TAKING SOUNDINGS. LONDON, May 17. The Russian Admiralty hola that Admiral Hozhdestvensky is as much entitled to re-visU Houkobe as to visit any port in French waters for tho first time. The Dutch steamer Wilheluiine, insured in London for £73,000, has been confiscated by the Prize Court at Saseho. " The Daily Telegraph's Kiachau correspondent says that reports con-

corning the German occupation of Kaichau arc absurd. The DietrichsenJebbsen Company is running a line of- steamcis to Tsingtar and Kaichau, and as the waters arc unknown torpedoers arc taking, soundings. Togo on the Lookout. . AN ENGAGEMENT FORESHADOWED. (Received May 18, 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 18. The Japanese fleet is cruising below Formosa, and is receiving nightly orders from Amoy. It is believed an engagement with the Baltic Fleet is foreshadowed south of Formosa.