RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 35, 10 February 1904, Page 5

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

PORT ARTHUR ATTACKED.

FIGHTING PROCEEDING. ■» »» RUSSIAN CRUISER SUNK. ♦»» TWO BATTLE-SHIPS SERIOUSLY INJURED. ■» * » [N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.]

(Received 1.44 p.m.) LONDON, February 9. Reliable iiiforaiatiou lias been ! received via St. Petersburg of the ! outoreak of hostilities between j j&ussia and Japan. The Japanese fleet attacked Port Arthur, the Russian naval port of Manchuria, and a severe engagement ensued. Fighting is now proceeding, and the engagement is likely to be an important one. Already the Russian cruiser Pallada has been sunk by the Japanese, and two battleships seriously injured. The Japanese attacking fleet includes seventeen armoured vessels. A Court ball arranged te take place at the St. Petersburg Palace to-night, was abandoned. The following cables were received East that the neutrality and integrity (Received 8.44 a.m.) LONDON, February 9. The report of an attack on the Russian warships i:i Port Arthur receives further confirmation in a despatch received from bt. Petersburg. Admirr.: Alexieff Rmssian Command-er-in-Chief in the Far East, reporting to his Government states that the following warships were attacked by Japanese torpedoes and mines: the battleships Retwisan and Tsarewitch, and the firstclass cruiser Pallada. The Admiral explains an apparent inconsistency with the earlier news as to the inner harbour at Port Arthur being frozen over, by stating that at the time of the Japanese attack the Russian \essels were lying in the outer roadstead. The Retwisan is a battleship of 16,300 horse-power, was built in 1901, and is armed with 36 gun? of 3in. and upwards, and with many smaller. The Tsarewitch is a battleship of 27,000 displacement, 36 guns and 18 knots nominal speed. The Pallada is one of the latest Russian first-class cruisers, the name of which does not appear in available Russian navy lists.

AMERICAN PROPOSAL ENSURING INTEGRITY OF MANCHURIA. CZAR PRAYING FOR SUCCESS OF RUSSIAN ARMS. (Received 1.44 p.m.) LONDON, February 9. Mr. Hay, American Secretary of State, has asked the Great Powers to unite in a warning to the combatants in the Far East, that the neutrality and inegrity of China must be recognised both while hostilities are in progress and after • peace has been declared. ST. PETERSBURG, February 9. Immense crowds aro assembled before the Czar's Winter Palace, continually cheering. Within, the Czar and Czarina and all the high dignitaries of the State are attending a special service to pray for the success of the Russian a.rma. HUSSIA AND CHINA. POSSIBLE MOVE ON PEKIN. DOWAGER PREPARES FOR FLIGHT. (Received 7.58 a.m.) BERLIN, February S. The Kaiser has postponed his intended cruise in the Mediterranean. It is taken for granted in the most authoritative quarters that this step is due to the dangerous situation in the Far East. LONDON, February 9. Owing to the report of an important coup by Russia, almost at the threshold of the capital, a state of panic exists at the court of Pekin. This Russian move, according to Chinese reports, is the occupation of the town of Kalgan, only 250 miles from the capital. Sucii is the state of alarm that the Court is preparing for flight with the Imperial Treasury. The Embassies and many of the high Chinese oflicials are trying to calm the Dowager Empress, but so far without great success. A telegram from Brussels asserts that the Russian Government is negotiating with French.. Belgian, and Dutch bankers to borrow a sum of forty millions sterilng to providp funds for the prosecution of the war.

A WIDESPREAD REPORT. JAPAN SINKS TWO CRUISERS AND CAPTURES TWO TRANSPORTS. (Received 10.25 a.m.) BRISBANE, this day. A private cable from Shanghai states that it is wid-ely reported that Japan has ■ captured two Russian transports, and : sunk two cruisers. I PROSPECTS OF JOINT NOTE. I AGREEMENT TO KEEP ALOOF. I RUSSIAN COLLIERS IN GT/LF J OF ADEN. ißsc-eived 5.44 a.m.) LONDON, February 9. Several large Japanese steamers are known to be travelling between London and the Far East. It is stated on the Continent that there i3a prospect that a Collective Note, signed by Great Britain, France, and Germany, will be issued with the obI ject of keeping the outstanding Powers aloof from the conflict. It is hoped if it is finally decided to adopt this measure, that the United States will take part. Eleven Russian vessels on their way to the Far East, coated at Jibuti, the French port on the African coast of the Gulf of Aden, and nearly opposite the British station of Aden. They subsequently resumed their voyage to the Far East. It is believed that these vessels are ! intended to do the necessary work of ! coaling the Russian warships at sea. The final arrangement as to Russian representation in Japan is that it shall be undertaken by France. The French Minister at Tokio has accordingly assumed protection of the interests of the Czar's Government at the Japanese capital.

CZAR AT J_HE OPERA. AN OVATION FROM HIS PEOPLE. GERMANY GAGS HER PRESS TO PLEASE RUSSIA. (.Received 8.44 a.m.) ST. PETERSBURG, February 9. The Czar attended the opera last night. On his arrival in his box he received from the audience an enthusiastic ovation, which was several times repeated. The orchestra was three times called upon to play the Russian National Anthem. The Municipality of St. Petersburg i 3 to present an address, assuring the Czar of its continued loyalty. It has been observed that Russia is steadily withdrawing troops from her western frontiers, and it is held that this clearly indicates the confidence of the Czar's Government in the neutrality of the neighbourug Powers. (Received 8.44 a.m.) LONDON, February 9. The well-known Berlin newspaper "Lokal Anzeiger" declares that up to the very moment of actual rupture, the people of Germany were inspired with the hope of peace. The reason, says the same paper in a leading article, was quite clear. The German Government desired this optimistic spirit to prevail. A similar opinion is voiced in the English journals. The London newspapers declare that the German press was deliberately inspired in consonance with the wishes of Russia.

A PROMISING START. RUSSIAN MERCHANT SHIPS CAPTURED. FIRING HEARD OFF SOUTHERN COREA. LONDON, February 9. Incidents which can only be regarded as the commencement of actual warfare between Russia and Japan have occurred in Corea and its neighbourhood, and everything now seems to indicate that the two nations will soon be in the midst of a great war. Mr Dennett Burleigh, the corres'ooiirient of the "Daily Telegraph," in a message from Nagasaki., in Southern Japan, accuses Russia of deliberately precipitating a crisis by sending transports, escorted by the fleet, to land troops near the Yalu River, which divides Corea from China. Japan therefore seized several Russian merchant steamers, probably at Mesampho, a port in South-eastern Corea, though the name of the place has been censored. Japan also seized a ship chartered by the Russian Government to convey coal and stores to Port Arthur. Two other vessels were captured outside and token to sasebo.

The Japanese are displaying great activity. The Austrian Legation at Pekin states that the Japanese guard regiments and two army divisions embarked on the 7th aboard 40 steamers at Moji, near Shimonoseki; also that a Russian cruiser squadron left Port Arthur. Viscount Hayashi, the Japanese Minister in London, states that Russia's reply was never delivered. The 'Daily Mail's" Chefoo correspondent states that the mobilisation of the Japanese army and navy has been completed. Sixty transports have sailed to land troops at the south-eastern Corean ports, and as far nortn as Chemulpho, with the view of the occupation of Seoul, the capital of Corea. The main body of the fleet sailed in the direction of Port Arthur. Firing was heard off Koje Island, on the south-east coast of Corea, close to the important town of Mesampho, on Saturday.

TORPEDOS AT PORT ARTHUR. BELIEVED JAPANESE ATTACK LONDON. February 9. Reuter announces that the Japanese torpedo-boats are attacking the Russian warships at Port Arthur. The Russian Minister at St. Petersburg on February 5 notified Count Lamsdorff that Japan regarded the independence and territorial integrity of Corea as absolutely essential to Japanese security, and the adequate safeguarding of her preponderating interests in Corea. Russia's inadmissible amendments amounted to a rejection of Japan's moderate and unselfish demands, and that, coupled with Russia's refusal to enter into an agreement in respect to China's territorial integrity as regards Manchuria, renders it necessary for Japan to consider measures of defence. Russia's unexplained delay in replying and her naval and military activities, which it is difficult to reconcile with pacific aims, also mad; l the step Since Japan's moderation and forbearance had not been accorded due consideration she had no alternative but to terminate futile negotiations and relations, which ceased to be of value. Japan reserved the right to take independent action to consolidate and defend the menaced positions and to protect and establish her rights and legitimate interests.

THE TROUBLE IN COREA. THE POINTS AT ISSUE. THE LONG EXPECTED HAS COME TO PASS. Russia's slow but inevitable .march to the ice-free waters of the Yellow Se;i has enabled tlio present position of things to be foreseen. So long as Russia had to deal with thfi jealous clans of Mongol horsemen or the still more jea- , lous European Powers interested in | China, there was but little to trouble her diplomats seriously. A few secret treaties, prolonged negotiations with an under-current of active doing —these were seldom employed in vain. Manchuria fell to Russia, following on the seemingly unimportant lease of Port Arthur, and there was not enough cohesive resistance among the Powers to say a word, Sated with success, it would seem that Russia was anxious to round off her empire by the acquisition of Corea. In this way she would command 1 he Straits of Corea. and plant her armies within sight of Japan's nearest outpost island, Tsushima. But Japan knows, and always has known, her mind on the subject of Corea, and thus Russia finds herself confronted by a determined, wellarmed, and prepared nation, which for years past has said that nobody will touch the independence of Corea. For this principle Japan fought China, and for this principle she is prepared to light Russia. In the Russian demand for the lease of a piece of land at Yong-am-pho-on the Corean bank of the mouth of the Yalu River. Japan sees a second Liaotong Peninsula lease, and nothing ' but the prospect of the subsequent Manchurianisation of Corea to look forward to. Japanese.* statesmen spared no effort known to diplomacy to prevent the Corean Government from signing the demanded Russian lease. Mr. Hayashi, the Japane.se Minister in Corea, informed the Corean Government that Japan would regard the signing of the lease as an unfriendly act on Corea's part, and that consequently all treaty relations would be broken off, and Japanese troops would be employed to safeguard Japanese interests. The Corean Foreign Minister recognised the strength of the warning, and refused to sign the lease. But Russians are to be found now at Yong-am-pho, acting as if the lease had been signed, and it is the recognition of the hopelesness of turning them out by diplomatic means that ha 3 helped to precipitate the present crisis. A military post at Yong-am-pho makes no appreciable effect if the Russians are determined to invade Corea, but the taking of Yong-am-pho violates the principle of the independence of Corea. . This principle is a vital point in Japanese policy —an independent Corea or a Japanese Corea is the only possible condition if Japan is to have a great future. From Corea Japan draws much of her rice, and to Corea .she hopes to send many of her ever-growing population. Situated within sight of Japan, Corea has ever been the field of Japanese interests, and at the present day these outweigh those of any other {nation. Russian interests do not exist, except such as have been created on paper by the ever-busy Russian agents in SeouL Since it is war it must be clearly understood that it is Russian which,- having weighed the situation, finds a war worth, while. The Japanese have never made a secret of the fact that they would light for Corea, and if Russia persists in infringing the Corean rights, despite her treaties with Japan, and her promise to Great Britain, it is certain that, the fault of the war cannot be laid at Japan's door. The common people of Japan were violently for war with Russia, but they were not the force which decides questions of war or peace. Had they been there would have been ws* long ago. In the Emperor of Japan lies the prerogative of making war and declaring peace, and tiras tfee question is raised far above the effect <fi raging factions and hot-blood enthusiasts It is the remarkable • aloofnefjs, so to say. of the war-making power |n Japan that makes that nation so for from a warlike Power, although tfee whole population has warlike ideas aijd instincts. There could have been no rusting tv

Ito war by Japan in response to popular ; clamour., and this cannot but be" fell to be an advantage not shared by other nations. In Russia the Czar has the same prerogative, but it is rather the bureaucracy which decides—the military bureaucracy, which knows little of things outside the walls of the War Ministry, and which would probably laugh at the idea of the * "little yellow monkeys" being able to think of standing in the wav of Russia's advance. The ignorance of this bureaucracy more than counterbalances the calm knowledge and unbiassed decision of the Emperor of Japan. RUSSIA'S CONDITION. Another source of danger is not far to seek. Russia's internal condition is most unsatisfactory. A short time ago a Court lady, a Russian, determined to make a test of the feeling in the highest circles. One day she rushed into the salon of one of the grand duchesses, and presented herself, breathless, and with all the signs of agitation, before the princess, exclaiming, ''Have you heard the news?" "What news'." inquired the princess. "The mob has stormed the Winter Palace and murdered the Czar!" "What, already?" was the sole comment of the grand duchess. Thus runs the story, whether true or not, in the St. Petersburg salons. That such a story should be even possible of imagination is a remarkable testimony to the state of feeling in Russia. If this is in a grand duchess's salon, what must it be lower down? A war in the Far East presents itself as a welcome way out of the social difficulties. First and foremost, it takes out from among the mobs the young men who are liable to be called as reserv- i ists, and thus removes the very foundation of social disorder. Instead of these vigorous, half-educated men being rioters I they are moved away thousands of miles . to the excitement of battle and to the distraction of their feelings. When il.ey come back, or if they come back, they will be very differ.-nt men, and the fact that they have fought for their country will intensify tbeir patriotism and smother their Nihilism. A WINTER WAPv. For Japan the winter seems the best time for war. This for several reasons. At this season only are the Corean and Manchurian roads passable at all, and experience in Formosa and North China has taught that the Japanese soldiers can carry on a campaign far better in the cold than in the heat. The winter ice shuts up Vladivostok, and forces Russia to concentrate the ninety odd war vessels of her.fleet at Dalny and Port Arthur. The watching of the entrances to these two harbours is an easy task for one fleet, and thus the Japanese fleet avoids the necessity of being divided. This localisation of the seine of naval warfare an enormous advantage, since upon the supremacy of the sea everything depends. The Japanese fleet is modorn. powerful, and homogeneous, whereas the Russian tieet, despite its large numbers, contains • many old vessels; while the newer ones have not had much opportunity to learn the navigation of the extremely dangerdtis Corean coast. It is among the islands dotted along this coast that the j Japanese torpedo vessels hope to secure J many a Russian vessel. It is of pretty 1 j much the same value to Japan if the ■ Russian vessels remain in 'aarbour, since ! this gives the sea to Japan and ensures : the immunity from attack of that coun- ! try. Japan is possessed of enormous j advantages in that the base of aer operations is close at hand, while Russia's is thousands of miles away. The question of coal is a most serious one for Russia, and one which becomes more serious with , every new warship added to her Heat. THE MANCHURIAN RAILWAY. The Manchurian railway would in all probability be destroyed early in the campaign- South Africa has shown how impossible is the protection of a long line of rail through a not too tranquilised country. The destruction of this railway will leave the Russian troops in Manchuria, who number some 150,000. very much "in the air." Manchuria furnishes little to eat in the winter, and thus there arises the very serious problem of the feeding of the Russian troops. JAPANESE MILITARY PLANS. As to the Japanese military plan of campaign nothing can be said, but it is of value to remember that all the energies of the extremely efficient Japanese general staff have been bent on problem, whereas those of the Russian army must of necessity have been more scattered. The Coreans will side with neither the one party nor the other, but they may be regarded as a negligible quantity, having only their own interests at heart, and these not too energetically. The chances of a war seem to be favourable to the Japanese, who know t'.ie country, are animated by a patriotic fervour, and splendidly equipped. Given command of the sea, Japan can place two or three hundred thousand men in Corea in a very short time. It is. however, to the sea that we must look for the first move and for the