RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1149, 19 November 1904, Page 2

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

The Campaign in Manchuria

Siege of Port Arthur

Press issociation.—Copyright.

LONDON, Nov. 18 KUR< 'PATKIN reports that a detachment of Chasseurs, in ambushing, endeavoured to capture 32 Japanese dragoons at Zuishinpff, when the latter dismounted, and the resistance was so desperate that half the draRoona were killed and the rest wounded, except three that \yere captured.

MAICHURIAN CAMPAIGN

THE WINTER QUARTERS

SCARCITY OF WATER

JAP AND RUSSIAN. h'OBSES DRINK.SIDE BY SIDE

BOTH PARTIES FRATERNISING

SOME PLEASING INCIDENTS 1 Press Association.—Copyright. London, November 18 A correspondent with the Russian Western army states that both sides occupy quarters wherein it is possible to spend the winter, but that tho crops of the villages are detroYfld.

Hp says there is little fnel, and fodder must be bronght a long distance.

Water is scarce, and most of the •wells along the railway are dry. The Russian and Japanese horses in many places water side by side on Shaho, (lie soldiers leading ,thera unarmed.

On one occasion the Japanese and Russians fought with their fists for possession of n certain pool.

On another occasion men in the, trenches exchanged cigarettes and jack-knives for food from tho enqmj,

A TURNING MOVEMENT Pross Association.—Copyriglit. '' London, Nov. 18 A Japanese movemement to turn the Russian right flank is expscted for the purpose of cutting the Russians off from Tilling. '

REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE JAPS Pross Association,—Copyright. London, Nov 18

Ii is reported at Mumden that 110,000 Japanese have' landed at Yinkow and 30,000 at Pitsewo,

SIE9E OF PORT ARTHUR

THE HEOBNT JAP ATTACKS

REPULSED BY-THE RUSSIANS STOESSEL'S ACCOUNT Press Association.—Copyright. LONDON, November 18 General Stoessel has informed the Czar that the Japanese on the 25th vigorously bombarded the forts'and entrenchments in the north and north-east, and on the 26th delivered attacks on the entrenchments and forts in the north, but that the Rnssian heavy artillery and shrapnel fire dispersed the reserves, and the assaults were- repulsed. A Russian officer and 70 men were killed and 8 officers and 400 men wounded, The bombardment was continued unintei'uptedly, A message on the anniversary of the Czar's accession stated that all the assaults and attacks had been repulsed.

IN THE TRENCHES JAPS AND RUSSIANS ON GOOD TERMS MUTUAL TRUCES AND CIGARETTE BORROWING Press Association.—Copyright, London, Nov. 18

Captain Nomberg (pilot), a passenger to Chfifoo by the Raztoropni, states that fighting has been continuous since the 2Gth.

The Japanese trenches are closest to the Russian atErlungshan, Ktranslian, and'other north-east forts.

-Tho sharpshooters occupying the rifle pits mutually con verso, and frequently arrange individual truces in order to borrow cigarettes and stretch their cramped limbs.

Tho Japanese are energetically building trenches and mounting guns,

EVACUATION OF THE PORT

ORDERED BY THE CZAR AND COUNCIL FORTS AND DOCKS' TO BE DESTROYEDUNCONFIRMED REPORT Press Association.—Copyright. London, Nov, 18 An unconfirmed St Petersburg message, published in Rome, says that iheCzar and the Council of Grand Dukes, Generals, and Adini-

~ Russians anil Japs Fraternising and Trading

Deputed Order from Czar to Evacuate the Town

rals, have authorised General Sloes* sel to destroy the forts, dock, magazine, and vessels,' and retire with 5000 men to Liaotishan.

SITUATION EXTREMELY ] •CRITICAL Press Aeaooiation.—-Oopyrifelit. London, Nov. 18 Mr Fowler, American ConsulGejneral at Ghe'foo, yesterday telegraphed to Mr Hay that the situation ai Port Arthur was extremely critical. He says that the outer forts are in possession of the Japanese. The Daily Telegraph says that the outer forts mentioned by Mr Fowler are probably the Erslung and Atzuchan, considering Liaotishan and Tiger's Tail as the inner defences, '

A GENTLE HINT Press Asßooiatio« Copyright. , London, November 18 A hospital ship was last week too near the battleships, and the Japanese dropped shells around her. The hint was taken, and she was romoved out of danger of tho large shells, The fire was then resumed,

SIGNALS FOR' THE JAPANESE

A CHINAMAN SHOT Press Association.—Copyright. London, Not.-Iff A silk-clad Chinaman in a sampan, who was seen after each shell placing a handkerchief to his nose or in his pocket, thus signalling to the Japan* ese how to fire, was caught and hanged as a spy. [A sampan is a Chinese boat from twelve to fifteen feet long, covered with a bonse, and is soinetimos used as a habitation on tho inland waters, [

THE RECENT FIGHTING Press Association,—Copyright. London, Nov. 18 The Standan] says thaf there was a heavy bombardment and hard fighting at Port Arthur on the 12ib, and that the Japanese are making slow progress.'The recent losses were heavy.

The Daily Mail nays the Japatuse had numerous losses in the attack ou EVlnngashan, owing to an enfilading fire and the reappearance of a strong force from the adjacent forts after false reports of the Russians' retirement, DESTRUCTION IN THE HARBOUR SINKING OF THE HOSPITAL SHIP * ACCURATE FIRING Press Association.—Copyright. LONDON, November 1.8

The Japauese shells hare sunk all the Eastern China railway steamers except the Amur.

The hospital ship' Angara was sunk in shallow water. The patients are still aboard, s<nd are quite com' fortable.

The shell fire against the harbour is remarkably accurate.

* NIGHT SORTIES ORDERS TO ADMIRAL TOGO SEIPB TO KEEP OUT OF RANGE Press Association.—Copyright. „ „ London, Nov. 18 Mr. Bennett Burleigh states that the Russians at Port Arthur are daringly sortleing nightly in bands of fifty, throwing grenades into the trenohes and storming tho outworks with bayonets. The daily Russian mortality is seventy, whilo the Japanese loss is greator. Admital Togo has received orders to lose no ships. All are to bo kept out ot range of the land battorios.

The siege devolves on the army. The Japanese have carried only a few advauced field works and tuunela. Their tunneli against the ontworks of East Kekwad and Erlungshan Forts aro well advanced, and those at Metres are still progressing. Tho huge inner fortification at Cordi and Keekwanisuntouohed. Even tho outer fort at Pauling has not been taken. The Japanese, owing to a blunder, brought 80 feet ladders for 50 feot wide moats, and tho supports wore unable to advanoe,

The defence was greatly changed, tho exaot character being unknown tb tho Japanese, Stoessel'i dilenoo about events since thon is interpreted at Tokio that his unpublished dispatches disclose a shortage of ainmuiunition and food,

. Buß3 , ian priaonors narrate that there is increasing hunger. It ia aiserted that Russian commanders are divided on the question, continuing tho

MISCELLANEOUS THE REFUGEE STEAMeF ACTION OF oiiFsEAUTIIORI. TIES DISCOURTESY OF THElus. • SIAN COMMANDER Press Assooiation Copyright. »)' LONDON, NOV. 18 ', The Rantoropni's speed enabled her to esoape tho Japanese destroy, ers,

The commander of the Chinese cruiser Haiyin;', who was morally BUBtairted by the presence of thY American, Admiral, indicated that the destroyer must disarm, Captain Pelen bowed frigidly, and did not invite the officers to his cabin, though a blizzard was blowing. The appiarance of the sailors did not indicate hardships at Port Arthur, »b a quarter of beef \m ostentatiously displayed on the deck, The three Japanese destroyers remained outside. They disappeared for a time, but re-appeared. The Consul sent a cutter and informed the nearest destroyer, the Kasumi, of the Kaztoropni's fate. This was the first intimation the' destroyers received, and the Kasumi ~ sent an ethergram to the flagship,'' whereupon all returned to Port Arthur. _ Advices from Chefoo state that the sinking' of the Rasstoropni has relieved the Japanese from an embarrassing position, as a repetition of the Rechteleni incident, would have aroused indignation, while the failure to enter Chefoo would 'appear as an _ admission that the Japanese action in regard to the Rechteleni wan wrong. The Japanese Consul declares that the Russians wasted the ship, as they did not want to repoat the Rechteleni incident. London, Nov. 18 ■ Advices received at Tokio state that the commander of the destroyers Bent to blockade the Raztoropni has forwarded his report, No concern is manifested in official circles at Tokio, because the Japanese feel at liberty to'nae Oh«foo. They consider that the Russians have relieved thetn of any responsibility in regard to ils. neutrality. London, Nov. 18

The Rasstoropni brought a despatch announcing that General S'.oessel was slightly wounded in the recent unsuccessful Japanese attack. LONDON, Nov; 18'

The Roztoropni's crew and arms will proceed to the Consulate. Tho Chinese are now protecting them. The Petit Journal's Chefoo respondent states that the chief officers and crew of the Roztoropni will be interned aboard the Haiying.

EXPLOSION OF, AN ARSENAL Press Association.—Copjright. . Loudon, Nov. 18 Tokio reports state that Japa* * nese shells have exploded another Russian arsenel at Port Arthur.

RUSSIAN MOBILISATION Press Association,—Copyright. London, November 18 A further mobilisation of troops in the St. Petersburg district will take place next Monday. t London, Nov, 18

General Griponbcrg, commander of tho second Mntiohm-inn Army tins left Valmi for (he front General Kaubors commands the third,

The blockade ot Port Arthur is lately much rolaxod, and ingress and ogress of merchantman is not difficult,

Part of Togo's fleet has' been sent to Japan for ropairs, in readiness to meet the Baltic fleet.

' Router's St. Petersburg message states that inquiries at the British Embassy and tho Foreign Office show toxt the contention will bo,discussed in a friendly spirit. T'lere is uo reason to apprehend anything but a mutually satisfactory arraiigoiuontwill bo reached. Count Lamsdorfi donios nnv difference with' ihe Admiralty, and declares that both hava accepted tho draft principle The suggestion that tho npemeiit is repudiated is, untrue.

Reuter adds that considerable importance is attached to the suggested verbal modifications and the inferonoe that blame attaching to ollicers is not to be considered in occordance with tho spirit of tho commission.

Lansdowne's words degree of blame have been mistranslated in some quarters as dogree of punishment, and groat resent* meut rosnltod, says the Novoe Vremya, owing to Baitain trying to transfer an iuquiry into fuots into an inquiry as to culpability.