WAR NEWS BY MAIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12545, 12 April 1904, Page 7

WAR NEWS BY MAIL.

, FEELING- IN RUSSIA. WHAT WILL CHINA DO? END It ORGANISATION OF JAPANESE.

MOVEMENTS OF TROOPS.

San Fbancisoo, March 24. News from the seat of war is contradictory and extremely unsatisfactory. Japan, it is believed, is following the policy adopted during the Chinese-Japanese war, and concealing losses. There have been evidences that a number of Japanese vessels were more or less severely injured during tho attacks on Port Arthur, but the Government ha? made 110 acknowledgment of such damages, and the Japanese people of all classes are too loyal to admit anything which might reflect upon their Government. Their patriotism is a lesson to other nations.

There oro rumours afloat that China is not strictly regarding the neutrality she promised, and it is reported from Tientsin that the Russian Minister at Pclcin lias twice protested to the Board of Foreign Affairs against the sending of Chinese troops beyond the Great Wall, and threatened that at the firsthostile movement of Chinese troops the Russians would march to I'ekin.

All sorts of curious reports are sent out from St. Petersburg. A New York Journal despatch from Paris atutos cunning Ministers keep the Tsar surrounded with a parapet of detail, so as to prevent his mastery of largei questions affecting Russian policy. It is stated that "one who knows" asserts that tho Tsar is a kindly, saddened, overworked and unhappy man. Another correspondent at St. Petersburg says: "The Tsar and Tsarine arc reduced to a deplorable state of mind by the war. The Tsar is constantly praying with Father John of Kronstadl, and sending propitiatory offerings in ail directions to famous shrines. The Tsar's condition is causing grave anxiety, and it is feared his mind may give way. lie upbraids Ministers unceasingly, although tho present state of affairs is really due to his listening to evil counsels. "The Tsarina practically remains in her apartments, going from one paroxysm of grief to another. She has become oppressed with the conviction that all Russia's calamities are due to her abandonment of the Protestant faith in order that she might be married to tho Isar. She is thoroughly morbid."

There arc aim highly-coloured reports of corruption among officials, some of these even going to the extent of asserting that sacks sent to Port Arthur and supposed to contain sugar lme been filled with crushed bricks, and enormous frauds have been practised in regard to coal and all other supplies. Distressing stories are also (old of sickness and suffering among went bodies of Russian troops being hurried to Manchuria.

INVASION OF MANCHURIA. Loxdox. March 23. A special to the Express from Nagasaki savs:-— statement is permitted by the censorship that the Japanese War Oftice has now completed all the details for tho movement of the main columns for the invasion of Manchuria. A great forco has been massed, it is said, for the advance upon, Harbin, starting from the mouth of the Tumen River, below Possiet. A heavy column is also conccntrated north of Pingyang for an offensive movement against tho lino on the Yalit River. The foremost Japanese force in Northern Oorea occupies tho front from Anju towards Miokiousan. some 50 miles south of the Yalu. Russian reinforcements are believed to bo constantly arriving at Harbin. Soma SGGO men are delivered daily by the Siberian railway. The Times this morning prominently publishes an opinion of a correspondent that Japan will land her main aijny at Niuchwapg, and that she also probably will seize Haicheng (15 miles eastward and on the railroad) as an additional base, and, without seriously attacking either Port Arthur or Vladivostok, the war will be fought out on the plains > of _ Central "Manchuria. It is almost certain, in the correspondent's opinion, that the war will be a long one, and that at the worst Japan will retain a way to retreat overland in Corea., It she secures Niuohwang, he says, her prestige will be established, and ho adds that the waterways of Southern Manchuria will Iks of inestimable value in somewhat counterbalancing the weakness of Japan in her cavalry.

ATTITUDE OF CHINA. Berlin-. March 23. The semi-official Post to-night publishes a communication from a well-known diplomatist in Paris, whe states that in the French capital a very pessimistic view is taken of tho tension which has undoubtedly set in between Russia and China, and adds that the fears regarding the attitude of China toward the war seem to bo approaching realisation. Despatches have been received at Quai d'Orsai from Pekin staling that the Chinese Government still denies it has any intention of abandoning its attitude of neutrality, but everything goes to show it is really only waiting for a favourable opportunity to take part, in the hostilities. The Russian Government has received similar reports from its Minister in Pekiu, and is taking measures in consequence. - In the last day or two an exchange of views of an exhaustive character has taken place between the French and Russian Governments as to China's intervention in the war, but no decision hag yet been reached as to the lines of aßtion to be adopted by France in this eventuality. The answer of the Chinese Government to the threatening despatches sent in by Russia is awaited with anxiety. _ In view of the relations which the Post maintains with tho Foreign OlEce here, a statement of this kind in its columns is important. Lokdos, March 24. The Washington correspondent of the Morning Post says Russia is continuing her efforts to induce the United States to agree to the neutralisation of fJiuehwang and the west coast of the Liaotung Peninsula, so a3 to prevent tho Japanese from using those places as bases for the invasion of Manchuria. Tho United States firmly declines to accede to the proposal. She has informed Russia that she regards Niiicliwiing as as much within the zone of hostilities ns Port Arthur. She has also refused the Russian request that she withdraw her Consul from Niuchwang. at. least not- until hi? life is considered in danger. THE JAPANESE IN COREA, London, March 23. A series of messages, dated between March 10 and 17, scut by a correspondent of the Daily Mail at Chinnmpo, Corea, describes tho perfect-' organisation of tlio Japanese in Corea. Elaborate preparations have been made for lauding troops ami advancing them through the country, and pontoon bridges and stables are built wherever they pre found to bo necessary. The greatest difficulty facing the Japanese is tho commissariat, as, owing to tho poor food supplies of Corfu, it is only possible at. present to maintain 80,000 men. The Japanese hold two enormously strong positions at Pingyang and on tho iViiaokaksnn Flange, between Hwaingju and Seoul. Tho latter, the correspondent says, is practically impregnable and secure from land attacks from the north-wast:. In tho event of defeat it is intended to hold tho passes at Kazan, thus protecting l'i.iayang Valley. The Japanese troops are suffering from dysentery and pneumonia, and many of the cavalry horses, which the correspondent says are poor. have died, but the army is full of spirit. The Russians intended to make Anju their base, but owing to the delay in the arrival of reinforcements they were afraid they would he cut off, and so retired. Meanwhile the Japanese advanced to Pingyang by forced marches, the troops being almost without equipment. ■_ , _ St. PitTiinSßtno, March 22. Vice-Admiral Togo's activity fit Port Atthur is being emulated by the commander of the Japanese forces in Corea.. flic icport of General Mistehenkow shows that the Japanese lisvo taken the precaution io erect earthworks iieai Anju, which are being held by n Japanese division until the remainder of tho First; Army Corps comes in from Pingyang, about 10 miles away. The advance of tho Japanese shows thai they are losing no time, and that they arc more rapid than the Russians expected. Nevertheless, the fortifications of Anju show the Japanese oparationr aro accompanied by all proper military precautions. So fa> as the Russians are concerned, they have no intention of attacking Anju, but the, 5000 to 600 C cavalrymen undei General Mistehenkow will be used to haras; and retard tho Japanese in every way possible. The authorities hero believe that it will be only a mnttai of a f.hort time now when active land operations begin, bo' n f first these will take the form of skirmishes, as the main Russian toroe remains in occupation of strategic pointr on the Y»lu Diver. Rerun, March 2?,.

A cablegram from Mukden states thai Russian patrols have reconnoitred Oorea as tar south as thfl 50th parallel. Their officers report unanimously that the Japanese are establishing strong fortifications on a large scalc right across the Oorenp Peninsula, between Anjti and Port Lazareff. with advanced positions to secure thnii lino of retreat should thoir campaign in Manchuria prove unsuccessful. Directed by Japanese

engineers, 3000 Corean coolies are working on these fortifications, which are approaching completion. It is reported that the Japanese will not. begin a general advance until the fortifications arc finished. The Russian officers describe these fortifications as impregnable so long as the Japanese command the sea. It is instructive to learn that the Russian military authorities at Mukden believe the Japanese have landed comparatively few troops in Oorea, because they will attempt soon to place a large force on 'the Liaotung Peninsula.