RUSSIAN SQUADRON'S RAID

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12609, 25 June 1904, Page 5

RUSSIAN SQUADRON'S RAID

ADMIRAL KAMIMURA'S REPORT. Sydney, June 24. . The Consul-General for Japan has received the following report by Admiral Kamimura:—On the morning of the 15th inst. ft picket boat reported a Russian squadron off the island of Oki. Our squadron, reinforced by a torpedo flotilla, hastened round the southern end of Tsu Island, with the object of intercepting them from the north. Meanwhile the picket boat kept constant watch over the enemy's movements, and reported, but at length lost them in consequence of heavy rain. Our squadron then hurried south to Oki Shima, but saw no trace of them. I understood they had returned northwards under cover of a dense fog, and proceeded in that) direction, but the rain increasing I saw no possibility of sighting them. Consequently I decided to place myself where I should wait their return. At dawn the next day we reached the rendezvous. The weather had cleared, but although we could see a great distance, no trace of the enemy was seen. We cruised about in other directions without avail - . As I thought they might return to the Japanese coast I turned south on the 17th, but found no sign of them. We returned to our base the same day.

WAR ITEMS.

How can we help wishing for the success of Japan, which opened the door to us in Manchuria, over Russia, which has shut the door in our faces? We receive the representations of the Russian Ambassador that it is good for us that Russia should defeat Japan not only with decided dissent, but some impatience.— New York. The Russians (says ft Shanghai report) are constructing extensive earthworks outside of Liao-yang. They have made four lines of entrenchments outside of each of the four city gates. They are also erecting forts at Motion-ling pass.