RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1418, 1 December 1904, Page 4

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

LOinJjUa, November ao. General KouropaiMU reports that -21 uie artillery tluel and repulse »i ihe uapanese attempt 10 outuans. a liortion of the lett wing on iNoveuifocr ticneral Ktfmiekauipt and nine others weie killed. Count Katsurn, in an interview, said that the Japanese nation was, as one man, prepared to stake its lust man and last yen on its national existence. happily, the crops were a hundred million yen alx>ve 4he average, and foreign trade had miproved. An Imperial rescript decorates Admiral Alexeicfi; and commends his services as Commander-in-Chief. Several vessels belonging to the supplementary Baltic ileet have arrivid at Cherbourg. Admiral Eolkershaft's squadron has left Suez, Egyptian coastguard cruisers escorting them. Count Hayashi, Japanese Minister in London, tk-uics that Japan is purchasing coal in Britain. Lord Lansdowne has issued a circular letter explaining the prohibition against any chartering British colliers to—follow the Russian fleet. It is a serious olFe'nce, and might involve proceedings under the Bth section of the Eoieign Enlistment Act, INTO. The Japan'*: left is across the llunho at Mamaehien. Oyuina reports the repulse of sian cavalry attacks there and infantry attacks elsewhere. The Uussian gun fire is harmless. Kouropatkin reports three Japanese rejonnaisanees in force on the "'litre, which is interpreted as possibly preparatory to a general engagement. Unconfirmed reports state that the Japanese attacks on Port Arthur have been partially successful. Sentinels on the Shnho are occasionally within 10 yards of each other, and .many tragic coiuic amenities are recorded. The Japanese live in earthen burrows or cornstalk shelters, and use charcoal fires. i'Yench and Uussian papers comment mi Ihe oiitbliist of good feeling, towards (in?) ttussia owing to the courtesies a British warship offered the Baltic llwt in passing through the Sue/. Canal, and the precautions tak(ii to ensure a safe passage. November I'rioi to the purchase of the Caroline in the 'I haines, a i'Vuich firm rn<|tiirc(l whether a Peruvian guuboat, completing at Birkenhead, was pur- j eliasable. Negotiations weie o|Kil<d, and the agent proved to be a Uus- j siaii, who made overtures to buy one or two swift liners. The price asked .-toppid the transaction. The same agvilt inspected and enquired regarding warships coinpleting on the Ijn-. and th n proceeded to London. Tlie 'Novoe Vrevma' states that Kojestvenskv's squadron requires Id.'.liV.) tt>iis of coal to steam I'M) miles at an economical speed, and threefold that (|uanli(y il full xpK'd is maintained Advices from Capetown stale that Itojestvcnsky is coaling oft' Swakopniund, ( ■crnian Africa. General Kaul'bars has started for the. Far East. There is some doubt as to whether General Rennckainpf was killed. or whether the figures refer to his losses. Latest news states that llenn.'kanipf occupies a position at Shinhanchi n, near Table, and repulsed the Japanese after three days' fighting. but skirmishes continue. Siege guns have been placed in positions likely to Harass the enemy. The Japanese • lovermili lit decline to permit a speciul steamer to convey medicine ami medical appliances to I'ort Arthur :if necessary, they will send a ship themselves. 'lhe 'Daily Express' Tokio correspondent states that the attack on I'ort Arthur continues with uqabaled fury. It is understood that Nogi gives details of heavy fighting, and (lie (I'oveojuicnt's silence is interpreted to mean that victory is not as near as was hoped. The 'Daily Mail' savs the authorities at St. Petersburg (■lain- that the assaults on Port Arthur were brilliantly repulsed with Japanese losses. The 'Daily Telegraph savs the storming of the north-eastern forts continues. Advices from Mukden slate tlnl many of Kuroki's reinforcements me raw recruits, and that the garrisons

at Taku.-han. VonvrluianeSonif. kow, ami portion of t.iaoyang ha*v Imvii replaced by h'ss eflieient troops. •Japan's main effort* are directed aijiiinst Port Arthur. Router's: ToUio agent reports that tho dapai.e>e eaptuml th<» 'JOtf autre hilt commanding the luirhor dating a nitfbti attack, anil that ninety \<r cent, of Port Arthur has been cupl uml. (jeneral SakharofT report* that a blinding snowstorm causal a sus;i<ns;oa of the attack on SinkhnH a icn. though the Japanese wen* within :ix hundred mu k '"" of the Russian tion. The turning movement vas sill)m ipieii(ly checked. The 'Tides' says Japan has trained far more than Russia through tKo willingness of British shippers and shipowners to undertake the risks of contraband.