THE WAR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5219, 8 March 1904, Page 5

THE WAR.

JAPAN’S CONFLICT WITH ‘ RUSSIA. BOMBARDMENT OF VLADIVOSTOK. INEFFECTIVE SHELL FIRE. (Received March 7, 9.57 p.m.) LONDON, March 7. Russian official reports of an attack made by the Japanese on Viadivostock state that on Saturday morning five battleship?, two cruisers and four tor-pedo-destroyers —tho battleships including Admiral Kamiraura’s flagship Idzumo and the Yakumo—covered by ice, and using Askold Island as a base, opened fire on the town from opposite Pat rod as and Sobol Bays, five miles from shore, where the Russian shore batteries wore unable to reply. The Japanese fired tiro hundred shells from twelve-inch and six-inch gnus, aiming at the fort and shore batteries and tile town. Most of the shells failed to explode, though charged with lyddite. Tiio Russians estimate this resultlcss attack cast the Japanese two hundred thousand roubles 1 . Tiio message adds that tho population of Viadivostock is tranquil. • PORT ARTHURWASTE OF AMMUNITION. (Received March 7, 11.33 p.m.) LONDON, March 7. Tho “New York Herald” states that Port Arthur was bombarded at intervals on Monday', Tuesday and Wednesday. At midnight on Wednesday the forts sighted many' lights approaching tho entrance to the harbour, and fired upon thorn for an hour before discovering that tho Japanese had played a ruse to induce'waste of ammunition .by the garrison. The lights were merely lamps attached to masts fixed on lumber rafts. OPERATIONS ON LAND. JAPANESE FORCES ON THE MARCH. STOPPED IN THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS. (Received March 8, 0.11 a.m.) LONDON, March 7. Cossack scouts report that 2500 Japap neso landed at Plaksin Bay on tho l9th, and reached a suow-blockod d,ofile in tho mountains on the Korean-Manchu-i'ian borcler ; whore avalanches compelled a halt.

One-third of the force was invalided. It is believed the detachment returned to Pilaksin Bay to try to discover a more practicable route to Manchuria. Tho Russians are reinforcing tho garrison at Hunchun. (a town on the Tumen river route from Korea to Manchuria, and nine miles north of the Korean border). [Plaksin Bay docs not appear on our maps, but the above message seems to Corroborate a cablegram published oh Saturday, stating that 2500 Japanese had landed, without artillery, at Siongchin, on the north-eastern coast of Korea., and near the Tumen river, and. 'started for Manchuria. This Would giro tho Japanese the shortest direct route across Korea into tho enemy’s territory.] DIFFICULTIES OF THE CAMPAIGN. LONDON, March 7. Tho “Daily Mail’s” correspondent at Pingyang (Korea) says that thaws have broken up the roads, rendering the Ciiiu-nam-pho-Pingyang district impassable, and greatly impeding the Japanese. Tho correspondent states that the Koreans generally favour tho Japanese, who are paying full value for goods requisitioned, while the Prussians are paying only two-thirds. RUSSIAN FORTIFICATIONS ON THE YALU. (Received March 7, 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 7. The Russians aro fortifying Antung, on tho northern hank of tho Yalu river, and are withdrawing fromAnju towards ICasan, in north-western Korea. Milcf; of fortifications aro being constructed by the Russians along the Yalu, Tho Genera*! Staff is confident that tho Japanese have landed only fifty thousand troops, owing to tho bad condition of their transports. FIGHTING EXPECTED AT NEWOHWANG. LONDON, March 6. The “Standard’s” Tientsin correspondent says there will undoubtedly at an early date he decisive operations between Newchwang and Haicheng. (Received March 7, 9.57 p.m.) LONDON, March 7.

Though tho Russians will not defend Newchwa.ng a largo force of cavalry is to return before tho Liao-ho river opens for traffic, and will maintain patrols hotween the main railway and tho sea. RUSSIANS PLUNDERING NATIVES FOR SUPPLIES. LONDON, March 6. The Russians at Sinmmting northwest of Mukden, are sorely harassing the people for supplies. They aro also impressing native merchants at Newohwang as common labourers. There aro indications that in tho event of a Russian defeat tho whole country will rise in revenge. ' (Received March 7, 11.35 p.m.) ’ LONDON, March 7. The correspondent of “The Times” at Pekin says that Russia declines to respect the neutrality of the strip of country between the Great,. Wall and tho Li-au river, which was restored to China in 1903. Russia has stationed two military posts there. Bodies of Cavalry are per trolling near the Wall, and drawing supplies of cattle and lorage from tho inhabitants. ENROLMENT OF IRREGULARS. (Received March 7. 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 7. Admiral Alexieff, the Russian Viceroy, has authorised the enrolment of several thousands of irregulars at Vladivostok. This force will be largely recruited from former military officers,

landowners and students, wlio will bo employed scouting and accompanying flying columns. MISCELLANEOUS. (Received Marah 7, 9.57 p.m.) LONDON, March 7. M. Plelive, Russian Minister of t-ho Interior, stated in the course of an interview that Russia was delighted to find Germany sympathetic. Juc hoped tho war would strengthen the bona of friendship. ~ . _ : March b. China has purchased two batteries of Krupp field-guns. Tiio Russian Red Cross Society proposes to collect a reserve of 5-40,000 quintals of wheat, or six months^ supply, in tho north-eastern part of tho theatre of Avar. Major-General Gilinski has been appointed Chief of btaff to Admiral Alcxicff. Ho win be really an intermediary between the Admiral and General Kuropatkin, whoso professional jealousy is intense. TOivIO, March 6. Tho Japanese elections have resulted in tho return to tho Riot of a largely.increased number of non-party members, who are a great improvement on their immediate predecessors. I his is due to a reA’ival of interest in national affairs caused by tne war.