THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1716, 18 January 1905, Page 30

THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

ENTRY TO PORT ARTHUR. TRIUMPHAL MARCH OF NOGTS ARMY. LONDON, January 13. Art official report received from Port Arthur states that the Russians, both 'before and after the surrender, acted ixl perfect fairness. Six hundred Japanese naval officers have been promoted. Thirteen thousand wounded Russians ■will eventually be taken to Japan from Port Arthur. LONDON, January 14. All the Japanese regiments which took part in the siege made a triumphal entry into Port Arthur yesterday, with their tattered and blood-stained banners flying and bugles sounding. The total number of Japanese prisoners found at Port Arthur was only seventy-six. This has created deep emotion in Japan, as it is believed that the hundreds who fell within the Russian lines must have been allowed to perish. The Japanese casualties before Port Arthur since the. battle of Nanshan (May 27th) numbered 55,000, one-fifth of whom were killed. “The Times” correspondent at Port Arthur declares that there were 55,000 soldiers, seamen and, civilians at Port Arthur at the beginning of the _siege. Ten thousand were killed or died of sickness. There were no signs of tion at the time of surrender. The food would have sufficed for another two months. RAIDERS AT WORK. MANY LARGE TRANSPORTS DESTROYED. JAPANESE REINFORCEMENTS DISPERSE THE ENEMY. LONDON, January 14. News has been received that two thousand Russian cavalry with quickfiring guns attacked Niuchwang on Friday. The Japanese retired, but being subsequently reinforced, expelled and pursued the enemy. Japanese cavalry on Wednesday, after a four hours’ fight west of Tangmasas, which is south-west of Liaoyang, reprulsed four companies of Cossacks with heavy loss. Subsequently the Japanese, who had been reinforced, drew the Russians to Lieuerhapao, and again engaged and pursued them. A report has also been received at Tokio that some of General Mistohenko’s cavalry, with twelve guns, surrounded the Japanese commissariat station at Niuchiatun, north of Ctingkor, but were repulsed with a loss of 62 killed and 150 wounded. A force of Russians destroyed the railway between Ausbanshan and Haieheng and between Niuchwang and Tashiohiao. but the Japanese immediately repaired the damage. The raiders had made a detour west of the Liao, their object being to intercept the big guns that are being Bent forward by General Nogi from Port Arthur to Liaoyang. The Japanese defeated a detachment of Cossacks at Honeiwan (Korea), killing nine. LONDON, .January 16. A correspondent of the “New York Herald” who accompanied General Mistchenko in his recent raid states that the General had an enormous force of cavalry, in three column®, commanded by Generals Samsonoff, Abramoff and Tyelschoff. Their front extended for five miles, and presented a magnificent sight. The country was swept thoroughly, even hares, fawns, and other game being taker. The cavalry had several encounters with Ohunchuses, one hundred of whom .were killed. Some Japanese flags were captured, and the village of Shouteze, near the confluence of the Taitee and Liao rivers, was captured during a night attack, despite stubborn resistance. Three hundred Japanese and two Russian officers were killed while crossing the Taitse river. The Cossacks reached Old Newchwang unopposed on the 11th inst. Fifty Japanese in a house refused to surrender. Some were killed. Many largo transports were captured and burned. Five hundred metres of railway north of Haieheng were destroyed, and a Bridge at Taishicha, was blown up. Cossacks on the 12th inst. attacked the Yingkow station, where there were nine million roubles’ worth of stores.

Japanese engine-drivers, dis- ng great daring under heavy fire, brought up a thousand troops, whose accurate fire compelled the Russian« to retire. The Russians claim that they would

have captured the station if they had arrived a quarter of an hour earlier. General o!ku despatched eight thousand troops from Sanliheo. It was reported at Yinekow on Sunday that the Russians had been cut off. In connection with General Mistchenko’s raid, the Japanese declare that owing to infringement of the neutral zone they will not observe restrictions which the Russians ignore. At Washington the opinion is expressed that the invasion of the neutral zone is intended to pave the way for Russian occupation of other Chinese territory if compelled to evacuate Manchuria.

LONDON, January 13. Vijce-AdmiPal DubassofFs denial of an interview, in which he stated that Admiral Rozhdestvensky could not hope to succeed, is considered in St. Petersburg as merely diplomatic. LONDON, January 13. Rusisia has sent a circular to the Powers, in which she claims the right to act in her own interests in the matter of Chinese neutrality, which is constantly being violated. China, according to Russia, is unable to fulfil her obligations.

LONDON, January 14

The military critic of “The Times” states that beyond doubt there were 60,000 Russian casualties at the battle of Shaho, and only 16,000 Japanese casualties.

The Japanese captured the British steamer Lethington while she was carrying coal to Yladivostock, and conveyed her to S'asebo. They also captured the British steamer Roseley, laden with 6500 tons of Cardiff coal for Vladivostock.

The Russian Embassy at Paris states that Admiral Dubassoff’s opinions are personal, since Russia is determined to carry the war on to the bitter end. A Reuter’s message says that sixteen of the survivors of the third Japanese naval party, who were sent to block the mouth of Port Arthur, and who were held as prisoners by the Russians, are being sent to S'asebo. LONDON, January 15.

Russia’s protest to the Powers is interpreted to indicate her intention to record grievances against China when negotiations are opened for a permanent settlement, although the recent cavalry raids by the Russians have been made through Chinese territory. Advices from Port Louis state that Admiral Rozhdestvensky, with fifteen Russian warships, anchored at Diego Saurez (Madagascar) on December 31st. The Volunteer transport Cuban, with 510 men on hoard and eight guns, reached Diego Saurez on the 30th. Colliers are coaling Admiral Foelkersam’s squadron at Passandava (Madagascar). The steamer Irrawaddi landed at Nossi Be (a French island off the northwest coast of Madagascar) 4500 packages for the Russians. LONDON, January 16.

The Japanese press complains that France has allowed the Baltic fleet to remain for twelve days in Madagascar waters, using the. island as a base of operations. The newspapers claim that this is a serious breach of neutrality. ST. PETERSBURG, January 15. The Czar, in an order announcing the fall of Port Arthur, exhorts his brave soldiers and sailors not to allow sorrow to discourage them. “The enemy,” says the Czar, “is brave and strong, and it is extremely difficult to sustain a struggle ten thousand versts away. I am confident the hour of victory is arriving.” ST. PETERSBURG, January 15: The Java correspondent of the “Novoe Vremya” reports that Japanese warships established a base at Labuan (a small island off the north-west coast of Borneo).

In order to conceal the presence of the Japanese the British Telegraph Office, according to the correspondent, was compelled to cease working twelve days on the pretence of a breakdown. SYDNEY, January 16. The Customs authorities detained the steamer Rockton on the eve of her departure for Yokohama in consequence of persistent rumours that she had been purchased by the Japanese. The State Government has referred the matter to the Federal authorities. SYDNEY, January 16.

As the result of negotiations with the Federal authorities, the Rockton was allowed to sail for Japan after the owners had given a bond of £IO,OOO that the vessel was not intended for belligerent purposes. , Subsequently it was stated that the Rockton had been bought by an English firm in Japan.