PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 81, 3 October 1904, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

The opposing armies in Manchuria have not yet come together in the shock of a general engagement, and the Russians are said to be puzzled at the inactivity of their opponents. The most reasonable explanation seems to be that Oyama is waiting, that he may make assurance doubly sure, for the reinforcements that, we are told to-day, are "pouring across the Taitse River," and also in the hope that Port Arthur may yet fall in time to enable the bulk of the besieging army to move up as reserves before Mukden. Meanwhile a check has [ probably been put upon the transport of Russian reinforcements from Kharbin by the activity of the Cbunchuses — native Manchu bandits — who have now been apparently set in motion to try and wreck the railway. Two bands, each of 1500 men, are, we are told, making particularly daring attacks upon the line, and it is reported that one attempt resulted in an interruption of both the railway and telegraph services for several hours. As such news must come through or round the Russian lines, the real extent of the damage that is being inflicted is not likely to be known to the outside world until some time afterward. A number I of Chunchuses are also assisting the Japanese on the Liao River. These bandits will, as the field of war is carried northwards, prove valuable auxiliaries to the Japanese, by whom it is believed they have been organised for many months past, and in the work of train wrecking it may be fairly assumed that they are being led by Japanese engineer officers. Their participation in the war will probably be made the base of a charge by Russia that China has ceased to observe neutrality, and that way lies the peril of international complications, in which, if they arise, Britain may easily bo involved by reason of heT alliance with Japan. China may reply that the Lnunchuses axe bandits and mercenaries over whom she has no control, but that would hardly be a sufficient answer to the international law of the subject. Both sides are preparing fresh drafts of men for the work of mutual destruction. Russia is mobilising 50,000 men in the Moscow district, and Japan has expanded her military system so as to bring to the colours no less than 600,000 trained men. i he fighting clans were the first to the front, but the progress of the war is said to have demonstrated that the peasant class are equally effective. From the 20th l 0 26th September at Port Arthur the Russian reports are that all assaults were repulsed, but it is during the past week that the attacks have ™ T fc lttt r; If the statement-it comes from Chefoo-is true that the Golden Hill forts are almost destroyed, tfh Id Sem t0 be near - li W" fhTl mi fc *w great guns hi S h P laced on '""that guards the eastern 'shore of the harbour entrance kept Togo's fleet, always at a respectful distance. But these forts silenced, and the mine fields below them cleared, it looks a certainty on paper that the forts of the Tiger's lail— tne low tongue of land that forms the western side of the entrance— must fall before the big guns of the bauiesnips of Japan. Then, inside a twomile range, the whole town can be commanded from the sea, and apparently from thence it might be pounded into dust. Even the present plunging fire from the hills, according to Stoessel, has deprived the defenders of secure cover, resulting in "horrible carnage." What then will it be shoidd Togo's fleet be able to pound the place from flic harbour entrance? It may hasten the fall, ana save the greater horror of a final assault from the landward side, and that would be a gain to humanity. The place is a shambles already, but we would fain hope that the remnant of the gallant garrison may live to fight a more equal battle later on. The sortie of the Port Arthur fleet — which now comprises five battleships and two cruisers— is said at St. Petersburg to have been but a short trial trip to determine the seaworthiness of the recently repaired vessels; another version is that the increased hail of projectiles upon the harbour compelled the ships to move. It looks as though the first cause advanced may be put forward to "save the face" of the Admiral, who retreated from almost certain and disastrous defeat. .Anyway, what is left of the once proud Russian fleet of the Far East is between the inferno of the , harbour and the deep sea where Togo reigns supreme. And it now appears that if the sortie be made and the gauntlet safely run for Kiaochau, the ships will be intercepted by a German squadron, overhauled on the high seas, and if seaworthy be advised not to enter the port. The Kaiser is making .a bra-ve show of maintaining German neutrality, but by favour of the Russian, the British trade to the Far East is rapidly passing to his own people. Theßogatyr and two destroyers have returned to Vlao!ivostock after a short cruise. Firing was reported from Saghalien a few days ago, and these craft may have had a brush with a* Japanese cruiser in that direction. The Rossia and the Gromoboi are reported as being in the northern port, and still in a battered condition, the result of the fight with Kamimura. Their injuries must have been extraordinary, or the shipyards and docks of Vladivostock are not so complete as is generally supposed.

Mr. H. T. Wyatt, storekeeper, Karaka Bay, has been appointed Evening Post agent for KaraSa Bay and surrounding districts*

An agitation is on foot to start a twine factory at Shannon. It is argued that Ihe time has come when the waste product of the flaxmills, tow, should be utilised. By the establishment of a twine factory £3 per ton could be paid for the tow, which was totally unremunerative, and yet make a good profit. ' Another meeting is to be held at Shannon shortly to give the matter fuller consideration. The Makara Road Board held its monthly meeting on Saturday, there being present — Messrs. F. H. Hawkins [Chairman). S. Bowler, H. Catley, G. Monk, a/id T. H. Robinson. A discusnon took place in regard to the Hutt L'ounty Council levying a three halfpence rate over the Makara Riding. It was" considered that this was very unfair treatment, as tha .Board maintained its own roads, and received no grant from the Council. ' Tne sum to be paid under this rate would be £652. It was resolved to co-operate with the Seatoun Road Board in any action to protest against the imposition of such a rate. The Works Committee reported that a large box culvert had been placed pn tho North Makara-road. The late rains had brought down a slip on the lame road, necessitating the employment of several men to open the road again. The balance-sheet for the year ended Jlst March, 1904, as audited, was placed before the Board and approved. Accounts mounting to £18 Is were passed for payment. In an address before the Farmers' Unioii in Napier last week, the Secretary for Education (Mr. G. Hogben) touched upon the question of agricultural education With the object of showing what could be done under the present educational sys. tern. One difficulty was the' largcly-%ic-veloped local control of education by boards and committees.. He found no fault with that system, but merely wished to point out the difficulty, with the object of shoMdng how it might be oversome. He agreed with the remit that the introduction of agricultural education was of the utmost importance, and he proposed to show how it could be introduced under the new syllabus. In every school now there must be nature study, which would necessarily cultivate powers of observation as to animal and plant life and the features of the surrounding country. Another point was lhat instead of following closely the old •ystem of children learning a lot of foreign names from books, and showipg their places on maps, they should bo trained in making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the country around them,. He quoted from tho new syllabus to show the course of nature study provided for. pupils of country schools. This, with the science course prescribed, would make Bn excellent introduction to agricultural education. Among the first things he would urge would be the encouragement of Education Boards to go in, on the lines he had indicated, for a course of insfcructiontatrongly recommended by the Syllabus, If the union did nothing eke .in a whole year than emphasise this they would be doing as good work as any body of men could do. Mr. Justice Cooper unexpectedly met *n old friend during the sitting of the Supreme Court at Palmerston North, gays the Daily Times, when Mr. Samuel Johnston, of Waipawa— a bale old gentleman of 78 summers — stepped into the witness box. It appears that Mr. Johnston, who is one ol the oldest journalists in New Zealand*, came out from England with a number of settlers to the Albertland Settlement, north of Auck- j land, in 1862, and founded the Albert- ! land Gazette, copies of which cannot now be obtained. The paper appeared first on- shipboard, and afterwards was issued once a month. Mr. Johnston car/ricd out all the duties from editor-in-chief to printer's devil. The Judge's parents were among tho first of the settlers, and he as a boy assisted Mr. Johnston at odd times by rolling the type. In 1865 Mr. Johnston went to Marlborough and founded the Express, sonducting that journal for 15 years. After a visit to the Old Country he oettled in Waipa-wa, where he has been for 21 ye&rs, and for a time was proprietor of the Mail. , Whilst in BlenheimJudge Cooper made enquiry as to the whereabouts of his earlyj friend, but was destined to disappointment until meeting him yesterday. His Honour's "surprise and astonishment were evident, and the Court stood by and smiled affably until the Bench was able to resume its habitual gravity. It may be mentioned as one of the trials the journalists had to face in early days that Mr. Johnston had to tramp to Auckland from Albertland Settlement to Teplace a part of his printing press, the journey occupying a week: Furniture carefully packed, stored, and removed by experienced men; special low rates. New Zealand Express Company, No. 20, Customhouse-quay. Telephone 92. -Advt. Children's muslin and pique pelisse 3, coats, and tunics, beautifully trimmed with embroidery and insertion, from 5s od to 255. C. Smith holds the most charming stock of these goods, and values aro the best. N.B.— A special lino of silk Crooks, Bilk coats, and pelissos (travellers samples) at less than half ordinary prices. C. Smith, the popular cash draper, Cubastreet.—Advt. All intending buyers for cheap cycles are invited to inspect Oates, Lowry and Co.'a stock of second-hand cycles, comprising all makes. These machines have been overhauled and guaranteed in good (repair.— Advt.