THE RETREAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12817, 17 March 1905, Page 5

THE RETREAT.

RENNENK AM FF' COSSACKS MISSING. London, March 15. No news has yet been received at Tieling of the fate of General Rennenkampff's division of TransBaikal Cossacks. It is feared that the division has shared the fate of the Caucasian Cavalry Brigade, which was used as a rearguard to cover the retreat. Of this brigade two officers seem to be the sole survivors. It is believed that there are no Russian stores between Tieling and Harbin. The rapidity of the pursuit compelled the Russians to abandon a train of carts twelve miles long and reaching to a point fifteen miles beyond Mukden. The carts were laden with ammunition and war material.

RUSSIAN LOSS IN GUNS. DISCREPANCY IN REPORTS. (Received March IS, 9.17 p.m.) London, March 16. The Russians admit the loss of 500 guns during the retreat, bub Jhe Japanese are not in possession of nearly so many. At Mukden it is believed that the Russians dropped many of their guns through the ice into rivers or abandoned them in ravines. The Japanese expect after a search to recover many additional guns. 866 GUNS ABANDONED. (Received March 16, 11.51 p.m.) London, March 16. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the officers of tho general staff there report that during General Kuropatkin's retreat 106 heavy guns and 700 field guns, were abandoned. I . ... — . CIVILIAN REFUGEES.

SEVERAL OF THEM MURDERED * » London - , March 15. The civilian fugitives from Mukden are living on the roads and in the fields, and are without shelter. It is reported that several of them have been murdered by Chinese. ' JAPANESE WELCOMED AT MUKDEN". London, March 15. When the Japanese entered Mukden on Friday last they were welcomed enthusiastically by the Chinese residents. THE SIN MINTING RAILWAY, TRAFFIC RESUMED. London, March 15. The refusal of the Chinese authorities to carry Japanese food supplies on the Sinminting railway was caused by the threats of the Russians and of the Russo-Chinese Bank. The Japanese have now induced the Chinese to re-open the line. The line had been used for supplying the Russians at Mukden, and the Japanese claimed a similar privilege. RUSSIA'S TOTAL LOSSES. London, March 16. It is computed that the Russians killed and wounded and made prisoners by land and sea since the outset of the war number about 400,000. The aliove figures include the following: —Port Arthur, about 40,000; battle of Liao-yang, 16,000 battle of Shaho, 60,000; battle of Mukden, 200,000; leaving about 84,000 for all the other battles and, engagements. The total number should exceed 400,000. JAPANESE APPItOACHINO - VLADIVOSTOK. London, March 15. It is reported at St. Petersburg that a force of Japanese infantry and artillery is approaching Vladivostok from the Yalu River direction,