THE WAR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12679, 12 February 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

The Japanese have followed up their initial success in a very spirited manner. It is clear that they have put eight or nine of the enemy’s ships more or less completely out of the fighting. They have transported a large body of troops to Corea. They have occupied Seoul, Masampho, and Fusan, which will give them the command of the sea between Port Arthur and Vladivostock. A recent writer compares Masampho to Gibraltar in matter of strategic importance, and it is evident that this step will greatly hamper Russia. Already Japan has been able to capture a Russian transport with 2000 men on board. At Port Arthur itself the lighting is apparently to be renewed, and the Russian vessels in the harbour are preparing to run the gauntlet of the Japanese fleet rather than submit to be shelled without the chance of a fight. The most striking item pi news is that which announces that the Japanese have already attacked the Manchurian railway with success. If they can break the Russian main line of communication they will secure a very great advantage.