RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 8563, 18 August 1904, Page 2

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

[By Electric Tbi.boba.fr. —Coptmqht.]

'Per Press Association.)

Received August 18, at 7.52 a.m. London, August 17. America has presented to Russia a Note protesting against inclusion, as contraband of cables, electric light plant, machinery for lifts, and other products never heretofore molested, and adds that Russia is seeking to prohibit all trade in the enemy's country without effectually blockading coasts.

The hospital Bhip Mongolia is still missing. Ten Japanese officers and 100 men were killed and wounded during Admiral Knmimura's fight with the Vladivostbck squadron. The Russian cruiser Rechtelm had coaled at Chefoo. Dr Morrison declares that the story that France and Germany supported Russia in the Rechtelni demands was untrue. [Russia demanded the restoration of the destroyer, and accused China of cowardice and treason in the matter.] The Times says that a working solution of the contraband question is imperative, pending a later establishment of theories intended to avert difficulties in the future. Received August 18, at 7.40 a.m. London, August 17. Reports made by tho destroyers convince Admiral Togo that tho Pnllada was sunk. It is officially announced at St. Petersburg that tlie Askold's list of casualties was 11 killed aud 46 wounded. Captain Truppal, tho Governor of Kiaochau, notified the Japanese that any warship coming to Kiao-chau without lights was likely to be fired upon. He informed Admiral Ikadzuki and staif, who visited him, that the Russian warship was hors de combat, her guns being disabled and the ammunition removed. Tde German warship salutod Admiral Ikadzuki when he departed. The Boorui was stranded on the rocks during a fog. The British conveyed tho crew to Hongkong, where they wero landed. [A previous cable stated that the Russian destroyer Boorni was beached and blown up south of tho Shantung Promontory, and that the crew walked to Wei-hai-wei.] A ukase has been promulgated directing tbe issue of 150 million roubles, bearing 3 3-sth per cent, interest, with,a currency of four years of Russian State rent bonds, to cover the extraordinary war expenditure. The massacre of the Japanese at Kamchatka was exaggerated. A crew of 12 were sent in a boat to fetch water, when they were attacked, seven being killed and five wounded, three fatally. [lt was previously cabled that the Russian soldiers had massacred a Japanese crew of 87 belonging to the schooner Teuchi-Maru.] Received August 18, at 9.5 a.m. London, August 17. Yesterday's sortie by the batleships Retvizan, Pobieda, Peresviet, and Poltava, and the cruiser Diana is due to the Japanese occupying an important position on the land side of Port Arthur, which was intended as a refuge and neutral port, but they shrank from facing the large Japanese fleet.

Apparently trustworthy reports declare that Russians .at Port Arthur are eating their horses. The cruiser Askold's crew are in a starving condition. Every officer of the battleship Cesarevitch was killed or wounded in the fight on the 10th. A midshipman took command. The funerals held, while steaming to Kiao-chau, were in many cases over heads, arms, and legs. The Japanese newspapers declare that there is no intention to allow a repetition of the Mandjur farce, and say the Japanese cannot spare ships to watch neutral ports while Russian vessels abuse the privilege of refuge. Renter's agency at Pekin reports that the Chinese railway authorities have been asked if there is sufficient, rolling stock to transport 40,000 Chinese troops to Shan-hai-kwa-n, and as to how quickly they can be carried. Received August 18, at 10.35 a.m. London, August 17. The German shipowners propose to double the present services to the Far East, and lower the freights to enable them to capture the entire trade. Many of Prince Hoiwich's registered letters were detained by the Russians. The German Consul at Nagasaki is preparing a protest. It is believed that Lord Lansdowne s protest strengthens Count Lamsdorfl's endeavors to overcame powerful anti-British influences.