THE WAR.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 9, 24 January 1905, Page 1

THE WAR.

London, January 19

Large stores ef champagne and f vodka were discovered at Port Ar- ( thur. During the closing days of , the siege, chickens sold at 24s each, eggs at 6s, and pears at 2b. Five hundred and forty guns were found , in good condition. The British steamer Oakley, . which was seized in Thushima Strait, was bound from Cardiff to . Vladivostock with 5900 tons of coal (not provisions and shipbuild- ( ing materials, as stated yesterday). Admiral Batrovosky’s squadron has reached Jubitil, a seaport out- ( side Aden. In response to Russia’s attempt to array the Powers against China, Mr Hay, United States Secretary ' o£ State, solicits them to renew adhesion to the American Note on China’s administrative entity, and urges them to use their influence to compel the belligerents to respect neutrality. China’s reply asserts the correctness of the Government’s attitude, despite individual lapses, which are excused by Russia’s wrong-doing. Japan’s reply is expected to assert other breaches of neutrality besides China’s and claim full liberty of action if a suitable opportunity occurs. January 20. Mr Hay, understanding that some of the Powers contemplated territorial aggression in China at the end of the war, has secured positive assurances that no Power will make attempts on China s integrity. The Mikado sent his armies nine cartloads of presents. Colonel Gaedke, writing to the “Standard,” considers that by the end of January General Kuropatkin will have at his disposal 340 battalions as against 268 by the Japanese. He thinks General Kuropatkin may try to turn the Japanese right flank, and so cut them off from Korea. He adds that the Japanese jubilations and talk of peace are quite premature. Colonel Gaedke thinks that General Kuropatkin’s aim in trying to cut the Japanese off from Korea will be to drive them to Taku or Liaoyang. January 21. Admiral Rozbjestvensky will cruise about the Indian Ocean. He has been ordered to avoid the East Indian Archipelago and Japanese cruisers. The “ Times ” says that it has trustworthy information that Ad- 1 Imiral Rozbjestvensky will remain

in ihe Indian Ocean for at least three months, and urges the Admiralty to protect the Chagos Archipelago (British territory in the Indian Ocean). The Japanese contemplate damming the entrance to Port Arthur, and pumping'out the harbour in order to salve the warships. .January 22. The Prize Courts have condemned the steamers Roreby and Pethington. War risks are now quoted at 70gus, owing to the recant captures of vessels by the Japanese in Tsu-shima straits. Four Japanese warships aie forty miles north of Penang (an island off the coast of lower Siam, Indian • Ocean. Paris, January 20. The British and Russian statements of fact regarding the Dogger Bank incident have been submitted ito the Paris Commission. Both 1 adhere to their stories. The Russians allege that they fired on two ! torpedo boats. When the fisheri men were noticed the flagship 1 signalled in order to protect them, i but the imperious duty of protecting the battleships rendered it pecessary .’ to continue firing. Shortly after > the torpedo boats withdrew and e disappeared. ' In his report Admiral Rozhdest- ’ vensky explained that he felt it l|absolutely necessary to continue 1 his journey, and that under the ■1 circumstances he was entitled and i. bound to act as he did.

January 21. The Paris press’is silent regarding the North Sea inquiry. This is considered a remarkable proof of the change of sentiment towards England.