THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1726, 29 March 1905, Page 30

THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

PERIL OF LINEVITCH.

WIDE JAPANESE TURNING MOVEMENT. SWEEPING THROUGH MONGOLIA. THE RAILWAY - IN DANGER. ST. PETERSBURG, March 24. The prospect of an extension of the Anglo-Japanese alliance has led Russian newspapers to deplore Russia’s refusals to meet the friendly advances of Britain and Japan. “The Times” says the extension of the alliance is not directed against Russia, but is simply meant to preserve the status quo in Asia, as arranged, after the war. LONDON, March 24. The Russian forces are concentrating between Changchun and Kirin. They are also erecting formidable defences along the railway east and south of Tsitsihar. Women and children are leaving Harping. Some of the business houses there are closing. Tile Grand Duke Sergius Mikhailoritch declares that the Russians only lost two siege guns at Mukden. LONDON, March 24. Admiral Diebogatoff’s squadron is at Port Said. There are numerous German colliers at Jibutil. BERLIN, March 25. The newspaper “Allgemeine Zeitung” reports that the Czar is wholly under the influence of Father John of Kronstadt, and asks him on all occasions what prayers he will offer. The Czar spends several hours a day Baying the prayers recommended by Father John. LONDON, March 25. The 4.t per cent. Japanese loan of thirty millions, to be issued at 90, has been underwritten, the loan to he secured by the tobacco monopoly. Negotiations with the underwriters were concluded five days after the arrival of the Japanese agent in London. The loan has been extremely well received in London and New York. Large Continental subscriptions that have been received through German financiers will not be allowed to participate in the issue, owing to the insistence of the subscribers that a large part of the proceeds of the loan should he spent with German manufacturers. LONDON, March 25M. Kokovtseff, Russian Minister for Finance, states that the bullion reserve at St. Petersburg amounts to £88,800,000. In addition to this there are twelve millions on deposit in London and Paris, and thirty-two millions belonging to the Treasury at Paris and Berlin. M. Kokovtseff repudiates the suggestion that the state of the country’s finances prevents continuation of the war. LONDON, March 25. Russian telegrams from the front declare that unless two hundred thousand troops are immediately sent to- reinforce General Linevitch a retreat to the Sungari river, a few miles beyond Harping, and possibly to- Siberia, is inevitable. The defence of Harping is most- important, as the Russian front beyond that point would he parallel with, the railway, and the least break in the communications would isolate the base. A vast Japanese turning movement is developing through Mongolia, with the primary object of attacking the railway near Bodune or Tsitsihar. According to Russian correspondents, the Japanese are assured of a numerical superiority in cavalry, and are recruiting Chunchuses in Mongolia. A large Japanese column from Korea is advancing northwards towards the railway with the object of isolating Vladivostock. General Rennenkampf will post three-fourths of his force to operate south-east of Fushuh. Owing to Chinese attacks on the guards, the Kirin branch of the RussoChinese Bank has been transferred to Harping. LONDON, March 26. The Japanese are altering the guage of the railway northward with amazing rapidity. Advices received at St. Petersburg state that the rival armies are forty miles apart. The Japanese are stopping to refdl the ranks of the regiments depleted in the recent fighting. The Russians officially admit that the 14th and loth infantry divisions decamped from the battle of Mukden. General Linevitch reports that successful r.avalry skirmishes occurred on the 23rd inst. at Nanshontsi and Shuinengansa stations. LONDON, March 26. Military circles at Moscow believe that Gest'ral Nogi is advancing on Tsitsihar, where there is a large Russian population. LONDON, March 27. The railway from Mukden to Jvaiyuan lias been reopened by the Japanese.

The Russians retreated on Sunday from Hsing-ching towards Hanlungchan, ninety miles north-east of Mukden, in the direction of Kirin. It is privately reported in St. Petersburg that General Linevitch is still retreating, and that his army is suffering great privations. The General Staff deny this. On Saturday General Linevitch reviewed the Russian troops. He complimented the remnant of a rifle regiment, numbering 126, who fought through a superior Japanese force, and rejoined the army. ST. PETERSBURG, March 27. The “Novoe Vremya” states that a Japanese flanking column is eighty miles east of Ivaiyuan, on the Kirin roati, where the Russians intend to contest the Japanese advance. The “Russ” states that part of General Kamamura’s army is marching from Korea towards Kirin unopposed. It is reported at St. Petersburg that Marshal Oyama has informed the Chinese Governor of Kirin that the Japanese- will enter that city on April 10th. LONDON, March 27. Tire Mikado will review a hundred thousand troops at Tokio on April 3rd, in connection with a monster demonstration in honour of the victory of Mukden. Marshal Oyama, interviewed by a representative of Reuter’s Agency, praised the Russians as brave and able men. He declared that the Japanese had fulfilled every expectation that he had formed of them when he was Minister of War. It is officially stated that 13,000 officers, 761,467 soldiers, 146,408 horses, and 1521 guns have been sent to Manchuria since the beginning of the war. M. Delcasse, French Minister of Foreign Affairs, admits that Admiral Rozhdestvensky left Madagascar several days ago. A telegram to Lloyd’s confirms the statement, adding that the destination of the lleet is unknown. The newspapers which reflect the opinions of the Russian Admiralty profess ignorance as to the whereabouts of Admiral Rozhdestvensky. An officer writing from Madagascar on February 7tli complains of the fleet feeling the horrible midsummer heat of the Indian Ocean. Everybody, he says, including the Admiral, was extremely dejected, owing to- the inactivity and ignorance as to what was happening. The position was becoming unbearable, and tropical diseases were causing trouble. LONDON, March 26. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the “ Daily Telegraph ” states that the demand for an indemnity has been the chief obstacle heretofore’ to the conclusion of peace. Russia is willing to make important concessions of territory. ST. PETERSBURG, March 27. A majority of the Council of Ministers has agreed as to the opportuneness of initiating negotiations for peace. The decision has been communicated to the Czar! LONDON, March 26. Some of the soldiers who were engaged in the defence of Port Arthur state that a number of Russian soldiers had an armed affray with Japanese soldiery. A Japanese military tribunal was immediately convened, and six Russians and twelve Japanese shot. LONDON, March 27. A fourth Japanese internal loan was opened on Saturday. The Imperial household subscribed 20,000,000 yen.