JAPAN AND RUSSIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIII, Issue 13715, 4 April 1905, Page 5

JAPAN AND RUSSIA.

THE RUSSIAN RETREAT. DEFENCE OF ,VLADIVOSTOK.' United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, April 2. A Japanese official report states that tho Russians and Chnnchuses are retreating from Hsilung and concentrating at Kirin. Ten trains with provisions and war materials leave St Petersburg daily for Vladivostock. Five Russian warships were sighted at Perim"' on Saturday. Many Russian mines at Vladivostock, owing to gales, have become detached and have drifted towards the Japanese coast. Fifty Japanese prisoners at Novgorod committed suicide, some committing harakiri, others taking arsenic.

THE REPORTED PEACE PROPOSALS. PEELING IN PEKIN. (Received April 3, 11.17 p.m.) LONDON, April 3. There are indications that tho Russian position in the direction of Potuna is invulnerable. The Russians are destroying the railway more thoroughly than hitherto. Dr Morrison reports that tne best opinion at Pekin considers that instead of Russia proposing negative terms it is for Japan to dictate terms to be unconditionally accepted. In remembrance of Russia’s negotiations prior to the war ho suggests that she is seeking to gain time to delude Japan into relaxing her military advance. He asks why, if Russia is in earnest, she does not recall the Baltic fleet.

RETURNING GENERALS. (Received April 3, 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 3. General Sakharoff and General Sfcackelberg are returning, the former owing to a difference with General Linievitch, the latter on health grounds. General Harkevitch has succeeded General Sakharoff. THE SINKING OF THE HIPSANG. LONDON, April 3. A commission, presided over by Professor Maartens, will sit at St Petersburg to examine the claim for the sinking of the steamer Hipsang. STOPPED AT SEA. BRISBANE, April 3. The steamer Eastern, bound from China, was stopped by a Japanese cruiser off Moji, firing shots across her boxvs. The steamer was examined and alloxved to proceed.