THE NAVAL OPERATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12759, 9 January 1905, Page 5

THE NAVAL OPERATIONS.

THE BALTIC FLEET, SUPPLIES FOR THE FLEET. (Received January 8, 0.3 p.m.) London, January 8. Lloyd's agency reports that it is unable to detect any evidence of Russia arranging to- obtain coal and provisions for the Baltic fleet at Diego Saurez, in Madagascar. It also reports that Russia has cancelled the sending of two large cargoes of arms and ammunition from Libau to the East Indian Archipelago and Saigon. RUSSIAN SECOND SQUADRON. ' BREAKDOWN OF CRUISERS. London, January 0. Te second squadron, under RearAdmiral Foelkersahm, is reported to be off Tamatave, on the Eastern Coast of Madagascar. It is reported that two cruisers of the squadron have been found to be useless owing to the breakdown of their machinery. Tamatave is nearly 200 miles south of Antngil Bay, where Admiral Roshdestveuski was last reported to he lying. A previous cablegram said thai. Admiral Foelkersahm, was on the north-western side of the island. FRANCE'S NEUTRALITY. London, January 6. The Matin, newspaper, of Paris, commenting upon Japan's protest to France against the Baltic fleet being given the use of the ports in Madagascar, draws the inference that the French authorities in Madagascar are less alive to the necessity for observing strict neutrality than is the French Government. I It has been semi-offieially stated that the Baltic fleet is keeping outside France's territorial limits in Madagascar. Some of the German colliers that are following the fleet have experienied mishaps and Russia in consequence is seeking coaling and repairing facilities in Madagascar. JAPANESE FORTIFYING QUEER ERT. (Ilcceivcd Janunry 8, C.3 p.m.) London, January 8. The Japanese are fortifying the island of Quelpert, near the western end of the Straits of Corea. QUESTION OF PEACE. RUSSIA'S DIGNITY. (Received January 8, C.3 p.m.) London, January 8. The Council of Ministers at St. Petersburg has decided that for Russia to make suggestions for the restoration of peace would be incompatible with tha dignity of the Empire. PROTESTS BY RUSSIA, CHINESE IN JAPANESE SERVICE. JAPANESE USING CHINESE ISLANDS. London, January 6. The Russian Government has sent a protest to the Chinese Government against a Chinese detachment being permitted 10 take part in the fighting in Tabling Pass ; also against Japan being permitted to use the Miaotao Islands, in the Straits of Pe-chi-li (between Port Arthur and Chifu), as a. naval base. THE KAISER'S WARNING. REPLY OF THE TSAR. London, January G. The correspondent of the Times at "Vienna reports that the Kaiser, on the eve of the war, urged the I Tsar to reflect before rejecting the terms demanded by Japan. He added that in view of the exact information in his possession regarding the respective forces of Russia and Japan in the Far East, he feared the result The Tsar replied to the warning that all measures had been taken to assure victory for Russia. , , . JAPANESE PRIZE COURT, STEAMER NEGRITIA CONDEMNED, '■ London, January G. The Japanese Prize Court at Sasebo has condemned the British steamer Negri which recently was captured by the blockading warships at Port Arthur. She had on board the captain and a lieutenant of the Russian destroyer Raztoropni, which had taken refuge at Chifu and been sunk there. These officers, who had been interned at Chifu, were endeavouring to escape. THE DOGGER BAUK INQUIRY. RUSSIAN REPRESENTATIVE REPLACED. (Received January 8, (J. p.m.) London, January 8. Admiral Dubassoff has been appointed Russia's representative on the Dogger Baak inquiry in place of • Admiral Kaznakoff, who, it was reported recently, had returned to St. , Petersburg on the ground of illhealth. NOTES ON THE WAR. The Japanese, are in full occupation of all the forts at Port Arthur. Nothing has come to hand of the guns taken, but it is to be assumed that they were not destroyed. According to General Stoessel's reports few of them are serviceable. With characteristic energy the Japanese already are clear- j

ing the entrance to the harbour. It must have been, an interesting time in Port Arthur for the Japanese since the fall. They are now able to judge of their struggles from the other side of the fence. Then the meeting between Stoessel and Nogi in a cottage in a neighbouring village, will be historic. All we liear of what passed is the incident of the charger. It shows that these recent enemies have met, like brave men should, in a spirit of cordiality. Stoessel goes to Nagasaki, on his way to Russia. The gallant Japanese will give him a reception that St. Petersburg will find it hardjjto excel. There is little to report of Manchuria, except that the Russians seem to have mourned for two days for Port Arthur, and then to have set their guns roaring, as a message to the Japanese that the war is not over. The Russian soldiers must be sore-hearted at their failure to relieve the fortress, and on that account may fight more tenaciously in the next battle. Of the Baltic fleet nothing is heard beyond that the Japanese protest seems to have had the effect of causing France to more strictly observe neutrality in Madagascar. Supplies and coal are. not available there, and the fleet lies outside the three-mile limit. It is a dreadful position for Admiral Roshdestveiiski. If he goes forward he invites defeat; if he goes back, it will be shameful. No nation ever blundered worse than Russia. Her rival makes no mistakes. She is even now fortifying every position she holds on the route ! to the China and Japan Seas. i