THE NAVAL OPERATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12855, 2 May 1905, Page 5

THE NAVAL OPERATIONS.

JAPANESE WARSHIPS SIGHTED, WAITING FOR THIRD SQUAD (Receive! M.iy 1, P. 56 p.m.) London, AUi 1. Three warships, supposed to be Japanese, were sighted op Saturday 150 miles south-west of Cape St. James. It is assumed that they are waiting for the third Baltic squadron under Rear-Admiral Niebogatoff.

THE BALTIC FLEET. STILL ON ANNAMESE COAST. (ReceiTcd May J, ''.'ji p.m.) London, May 1. The steamer Stettin reports that 40 vessels of the Baltic fleet were lying in Hoihoke Bay, on the coast of Annam, on Thursday afternoon, but were preparing to proceed to sea. HONGKONG'S DEFENCES. ADDITIONAL GUNS MOUNTED. London, April 30. Additional guns have been mounted on Stonecutters' Island, Hongkong, and the entrances to the harboiu have been mined. COREA'S AWAKENING. WHAT THE JAPANESE ARE DOING. IMPROVEMENTS IN ALL DIRECTIONS.

London, April 30.

The Times correspondent at Pekin (Dr. Morrison) has visited Corea and has furnished his paper with an account of the change in Corea wrought by the Japanese- since February of last year.

The Japanese, he says, have constructed railways, built lighthouses, and improved the harbours, and are reclaiming land.

Japanese have replaced the foreign advisers of the Emperor, and they have taken command of the police. Mr. McLeavy Brown, however, retains the control of the Customs Department.

There are now 60,000 Japanese settlers in the country.

Everybody in Corea, says Dr. Morrison, is content with the new conditions except the Emperor, the eunuchs, and the Court parasites.

NOTES ON THE WAR.

General Liuevitch has reported a Russian victory. As no mention is made of the positions captured, it is impossible to estimate the importance of his success. It is a singular fact that the great victories of the Japanese have been always preceded by reports of small Russian successes. Doubtless (he process is about to bo repeated, It is slated that the Ball in fleet is still on the coast, of Annani. The third adroit was believed recently to be in Malacca Straits, and it is said that three Japanese warship? are waiting for Admiral Niebogatoff between Singapore and Saigon. The third squadron consists of four ancient battleships and a cruiser. If Admiral Togo intends to prevent *tho junction of Admirals Roshdestvenski and Niebogatoff there may be an engagement within a day or two.