RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 28

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

A DESPERATE BATTLE.

THE RUSSIANS ROUTED.

LOSSES OF MEN AND GUNS.

THE VLADIVOSTOCK SQUADRON.

OPERATING IN THE STRAIT OF

IvOREA.

CONSTERNATION IN RUSSIA.

DEATH, BUT NO SURRENDER.

HOW THE TRANSPORTS WERE SUNK.

ST. PETERSBURG, June 1-1.

The Dowager-Empress of Russia has secured the exposure of a gigantic system of fraud and peculation among the Trans-Siberian railway officials. It has -been discovered that nearly one-third of the stores and money sent to the Far East has been stolen.

The theft of moneys and supplies for the Far Eas'- is estimated at seven millions sterling. The discovery was due to the Dowager Marie's supervision of the Red Cross Society's organisation.

June 15,

The Czar's action in summoning many additional officers and men belonging to the reserves for active service has caused acute apprehension.

There have been workers' demonstrations in all parts of Finland, at which the demand was made for the abolition of the present dictatorship, the rescinding of all illegal ordinances, and the restoration of free speech.

June 16,

A seaman named Kayman has been sentenced to death for trying to blow up the magazine at Kronstadt.

LONDON, June 13.

In connection with a Nihilist plot to blow up Kronstadi, including the battleships, 200 arrests have been effected.

Prisoners report that the bombardment at Part Arthur refers largely to the presence of the gunboate, which are supporting the Japanese land forces on both ■=idc= of the peninsula. No heavy fighting has yet taken place.

The Russians shell the enemy's trench works sparingly, and are evidently reserving their ammunition.

The Japanese are mounting siege guns.

Anxiety is felt in St. Petersburg respecting the shortage of ammunition at Port Arthur.

The Russians near Port Arthur attacked the Japanese, who feigned a retreat. The Russians hotly pursued them, and were entrapped. The Japanese, by executing a flanking movement, overwhelmed them. The Russians lost 800 men.

June 14. The Daily Mail's Niuchwang correspondent states that on the 11th inst. a considerable force pretended to attack the Russians in an entrenched position on the Siung-yo Range, 15 miles south of Kai-ping. When the Japanese retreated SUOO Russians pursued them to the YaotungTass, where the Japanese reinforcements lay concealed. The Russian casualties numbered 860. The rest retreated to Niuchwang, thence entrained to Liao-yang. f Admiral Togo reports that 3000 Russian infantry and cavalry in the vicinity of Kai-ping fled inland after the fleet's bombardment. The captain of a steamer leaviug Yingkow on the 7th informed Admiral Top::v that .several thousand Russians, with 20 suns, evacuated Ying-kow, the porfc of Niuchwang, ami retreated northward, owing to a bombardment. Japanese destroyers discovered four Russian destroyers at Senioha Point, Talienwan, and drove them into Porfc Arthur. % The Japanese are entrenching Siuyen Captain Lake, the designer of the Protector, has sailed for Europe. It is understood that he proceeds to Japan to superintend the construction of submarines. There was an explosion on the transport Taihaka, Manx when she was laying mines off Port Arthur. Nineteen were killed, including an officer, and nine others wounded. The ship was not damaged. Japanese sentries are stationed every 50 yards round Port Arthur.

Admiral Togo destroyed 30 mines on the high seas.

General Kourapatkin ha 1 ? exiled to Tobolsk a wealthy butcher of Ohita, who

tried to " corner " the army's meat supplies. General Kourapatkin has threatened to requisition all provisions if merchants attempt to artificially raise prices.

June 15.

The Japanese, besides fortifying Feng-hwang-cheng and Siu-yen, are fortifying a line from Port Adams to Jeutieufung, on the Liao-tung Peninsula.

Two divisions of Japanese are marching northward from Porfc Adams to repel a strong force sent to harass the besiegers of Porfc Arthur. General Khorkevitch reports that on the night of the 11th the Japanese attacked the advance posts above Pitsuevo. After fighting all night the Russians claim that they captured the heights near Liao-tung, losing four killed and 18 wounded.

General Kourapatkiu reports that 3000 Japanese are marching to Suayensuang, east of Siama-chi. General Stackelberg cabled to the Czar at noon on the 14th inst. that the Japanese had repeatedly and vigorously attacked his position, six kilometres south of (supposed to be Wa-fang-kau), but that they were repulsed, the Russians retaining their position, though sustaining serious losses. Colonel Khavavonnoff was amongst the killed, and General Gemcross was severely wounded. General Kourapatkin, in his report, vaguely refers to Russian losses, which are supposed to relate to the same encounter as that which General Stackelberg describes.

The Russians arc constructing a deep moat on all sides three miles outside Liao-yang, and are mounting artillery on the hills.

The occupation of the Si-su Pass, eastward of Muo-tien-ling, gives the Japanese command of the valley through which the Tai-tscho River flows to Liao-yang.

Skirmishes northwards of Porfc Arthur occur daily.

The troops in Port Arthur are on twothirds rations. There are many desertions among the Siberian troops, who escape disguised as Chinamen.

The Japanese fleet seized off Chefoo a fleet of junks loaded with rice and flour for Port Arthur.

It is reported in Tokio that Admiral Skrydloff had escaped from Vladivostock, and that a naval action is now proceeding off Ikisliina, in the Strait of Korea.

Nagasaki reports that the Japanese warships engaged Admiral Skrydloff, but the result is unknown.

The Novik emei'ged from Port Arthur yesterday, and engaged the blockading ships off Porfc Arthur. She then returned to the inner harbour.

Recent unconfirmed reports received at St. Petersburg state that Admiral Skrydloff brought the llossia, Rurik, and Gromoboi within 30 miles of Port Arthur, but was unable to enter. He therefore returned.

Despatches received in Tokio show that Admiral Skrydloff is now attempting to pass the strait to the westward, but is vigorously opposed. He intended to cause a diversion in Russia's favour and destroy the Japanese transports. The Japanese commanders have been warned that important naval movements are expected.

June 16. Unofficial news received at Tokio reports a debperate battle at Fuchon, the Russians losing 1000, abandoning their guns, and retreating in disorder. Seven thousand reached Niuchwang. The others fled to Ki-chi-chao.

The headquarters of the Japanese Second Army Corps reports that the troops are drawing close to the Russians, who are increasing in strength. A battle is imminent.

The x'irst Army Corps has not fought since the 12th inst., when it expelled two companies of Russians from Wulsono, killing 20.

The Russians have reoccupied several small towns on the roads leading to Liaoyang and Hai-cheng.

Captain Tsuchuya, commanding the torpedoers and destroyers, on the 14th reconnoitred at Shao-ping-tan, bombard r ing the Russian outposts.-

The cruiser Novik, with 10 destroyers, came out ur.'lcr the protection of the shoi'e batteries, which maintained a heavy cannonade. The Japanese flotilla slowly retreated, trying to decoy the enemy, but the Russians, after a sharp exchange of shots, retired.

The Japanese vedette boats, protected by destroyers, on Monday night placed mines at the entrance to Port Arthur, and returned untouched.

General Ma, who commands 40,000 Chinese troops, has removed his headquarters from Chao-yang to King-chin-can, further westwai'd, in Mongolia.

The Viceroy refused his request for 10,000 more troops.

The Russians on the 14th and loth at Wa-fang-kau are believed to hare lost 14 guns, 300 prisoners, and 500 killed. The Japanese casualties are reported at 1000.

According to General Kourapatkin, the Japanese Third Division turned the Russian right flank. Reports from Niuchwang state that

the Second Division of General Kuroki'a army is marching toward Kai-chau, to take the Russians in the rear.

The Russian force is &aid to be 35 3 000 strong.

Three warships, supposed to belong to the Vladivostock squadron, were sighted off Jlri Island on the 14th, and chased three outward-bound transports. The next morning, when outside the Strait of Korea, they fired 18 shots. One vessel escaped, but the fate of the others is unlmown.

Two homeward-bound transports met the squadron on Wednesday near Ikishima. The Russians fired 16 shots, bufc the vessel managed to escape to Katsumotu.

Reports of cannonading come from various points, but -the exact nature of the squadron's movements is not disclosed. It is feared that the merchantmen suffered.

Japanese warships are hurrying to the point where the firing was heard.

A Shanghai telegram, despatched early on the 16th, states that the Russian ships escaped to the eastward.

The third Japanese transport reports that she saw Admiral SkrydlofFs ships surrounding the Hitachin Maru and tbe lado -aaru, both 6000-ton transports. It is feared that they are lost.

June 17. Several other transports and merchantmen narrowly escaped capture.

The captain of the Hitachin Maru, when attacked, tried to ram his assailant, but the Hitachin Maru and Sado Maru were both torpedoed. They carried large supplies, many horses, and 1400 troops.

Three hundred and ninety-seven survivors from the Hitachin Maru and 153 from the Sado Maru reached Inoji Kokura.

Heavy weather, rain, and fog helped the Russians.

The Russians report that on Sunday two divisions of Japanese infantry, field and mountain artillery, aiid 12 squadrons of cavalry marched from Port Adams against General Stakkelberg, who occupied the heights south of Wangtchan, the Russians quietly retiring lo Wa-fang-tien.

The Japanese resumed their advance on the morning of the 1-lth, the right column following the Tasako Valley, the centre along the railway, and the left by Wa-faug-kan Pass. The Russians retreated to a position six miles south of Wa-fang-kan.

In the afternoon the Japanese artillery attacked the Russian centre and left, the infantry simultaneously determinedly assailing the left wing. The Russians 'claim that they repulsed all the assaults with great loss. The fighting was severe until nightfall. At daylight the Russians took the aggressive. General Stakkelberg tried to envelop the Japanese right wing, but the Japanese, strongly reinforced, attacked the Russian right, compelling General. Stakkelberg to bring up all his* reserves. These proving insufficient, the Russians retreated northwards. The losses were heavy. The Third and Fourth Batteries of the First Artillery Brigade were literally cut to pieces by shells, and 13 out of 16^- guns rendered completely useless were abandoned.

Many Russians refused to retire until repeatedly ordered.

The Japanese claim that they crushingly defeated the Russians at Telissa. Advancing on Tuesday, two columns drove the Russians back east of Wa-fang-tien. An obstinate artillery duel followed! until nightfall, when the Japanese position extended from Pang-chia-tong to Yuko-tong. The Russians were strongly reinforced during the night, enabling two and a-half divisions to hold a line near Teli=sa, extending from Ta-fang-shen to Cheng-tien-shin. The Japanese during the night sent a column east of Fuchou in order to envelop the Russian right wing and drive it into a defile at the back of Telissa. The plan succeeded. While the main force moved northward along the railway line three columns swung to the left and 1 right, converging at uoon and surrounding the main Russian position. The Russians were taken at a disadvantage, but stubbornly resisted until 3 o'clock, when they broke ground. The Japanese cavalry pursued, inflicting heavy lo=se?, A colonel of the Fourth Rifle Regiment was captured.

The Japanese occupied Huay-en-siang on Sunday, after expelling 300 Chines© mounted irregulars enrolled by Russia.

Admiral Skrydloff, who was aided by heavy fogs, evaded Admiral Kanaimura, who is at Gensan, but is now in pursuit.

The transport Izurni Maru is also missing.

General Nogi is conducting the siege of Port Arthur, while General Oko is dealing with General Stackelburg. The survivors from the Japanese transport Hitachi Maru report that they met Admiral Skrydloff's fleet at 7 in the morning, and stopped in rc--pon«e to hig signal. They attempted later on to> escape, but the Russians followed them, and dh-coted their firp at the wator line. The fire was terrific, and in a f&v?

minutes the decks were covered with corpses. A shell struck the engine-room, killing mauy, and the ship gradually sank. Campbell ( ?) earlier jumped overboard, and has since been missing. The commander of the troops ordered

the Japanese flag to be burned, and then committed suicide. Many members <of the crew and troops escaped in the ship's boats.

The Sado Maru was badly damaged and partly burned, but the officers managed to beach the vessel at Okushima. Japan's second internal loan was covered threefold. June 18. Japanese officials fear that the loss of the transports sunk by the Russians will delay the combined attack on Port Arthur. j The Russian reverse at Telissa has produced exti'enie depression and con- ! sternation in Russia. General Nodzu'j force has been sent i to intercept General Stackelburg, and is \ in touch with the retreating force, 15 ' miles south of Tachi-chard. i It is officially, announced that Admiral Kamimura has been pursuing the Vladivostock fleet since the morning of the 15th. A Renter's message says that rain and fog still favour Admiral Skrydloff. Admiral Skrydloff's fleet was sighted off Oki on the 16th inst. The steamer Isa Maru has brought to Rokuren additional survivors from the transport Sado Maru, sunk by the Russians. ! June 19. ! Reuter's agent at the Japanese head- j quarters, reporting via Fusan, states ; that General Kourapatkin is assembling his forces at Hai-cheng. A great battle is expected within a month. The Times' correspondent reports that the force at General Kourapatkin's immediate disposal is 100,000. He ex- j pects to be reinforced by 20,000 monthly, ' via the Trans-Siberian railway. ' Tokio reports that Admiral Skrydloff's fleet was sighted early on Sunday morning at the western entrance to Tui-gam. It is stated from Tokio that the Rossia and Rurik surprised the Hitachi Maru during a dense fog off Okinossima, and fired 21 shots at a range of 700 yards, wounding many. Finding the vessel did not sink they fired 60 shots at a range of 400 yards, causing the boiler to explode and setting fire to the ship. While burning the colours and official papers a shell killed Colonel Suchi. Other officers and numerous * soldiers^ committed suicide or jumped overboard. Finally, approaching to 150 yards, the Russians fired shrapnel upon the crowded decks, sinking the ship and all on board. A shell beheaded the chief mate, an Englishman, while standing on the bridge, his body remaining upright. ; After being torpedoed, the transport Sado Maru was repeatedly hit by shells, the machinery being disabled. Six hundred and ten non-combatants were allowed to leave. Their fate is unknown. The officers and soldiers prepared to commit suicide, but changed their minds when the Russians suddenly left the vessel. Most of the troops eventually reached Ocushima. ' Eleven hundred wounded, including 55 officers, have arrived at Liao-yang. The latter state that the Russians had 42 battalions, and the Japanese battalions engaged 44 at the battle of Wa-fang-kau. The result was due to the , superiority of the Japanese artillery, j ,ivhich numbered over 200 guns. The ; Japanese sharpshooters were extraordinarily successful. All the officers of two Russian batteries were killed except one. > General Kuroki is awaiting the results of the Liac-tung fighting. Heavy rains have set in. Viceroy Alexeieff reports that the. warships at Port Arthur have been repaired. ♦ The Russians sank the transport Izuini IVlaru on the 15th, but there was no loss of life. j The Vladivostcck squadron, after i hurriedly searching two merchantmen ! on Saturday, disappeared off the coast of 'A&mori, Admiral Skrydloff fearing the ' approach of Admiral Kamimura. June 20. - Admiral Skrydloff remained in Vladivostoek. Vice-admiral Bezabrazoff conducted the raid. Admiral Skrydloff reports that the squadron encountered in the Strait of Korea the Izuini Maru with troops on expiry. A period was allowed in which to quit the vessel, whereof part of the crew ; took advantage. Our guns sank the '. Izumi Maru. Then the Hitachi Maru and ■ Sado Maru were seen, — one with troops, ' and the other with coolies, horses, and railway plant. The transports refused '. to surrender, and at the expiry of the period granted them both were sunk by shells. The losses consisted of portion ' pof the troops, the crews, and war anaterial. The squadron on the 16th overhauled the British steamer Allanton, < laden with coals for Stokkardo, bound j south. The lack of clearness of her , papers and the irregularity of the log ! < excited suspicion regarding the neutrality of the cargio, and the Allanton was 1 sent to Vladivostock, where she arrived. A prize court will consider her position. A prize crew is aboard. The Allanton ap- ' parently brought the squadron's report. Admiral Kamimura is severely criticised in Jap.an in connection with the t

Kushi Maru and the latest raid. He yras at Tsushima when Admiral Bezabrazoff was at Okishima. He intended starting in pursuit immediately, but an electrical storm interfered with the ethergrams.

The Idzuini Maru was homeward bound. She had 108 passenger?, including a number of Sikhs. These ami th^ crew were transferred to the Gromobi. Twenty-two non-combatants were -also transferred. On the 16th the TTnko Main arrived at Maiaura. The vessel Maiko Maru was attacked on the loth, but escaped, and reached Tsushima. Admiral SkyrdloJl's squadron on the 16th sank the merchantmen Ivawata Maru and An«ei Maru between Oku and Kojima Islands. Thirty-seven survivors reached Yesashi.

The Russians transferred the Sado Mam's English second mate to the released merchantmen. Seventy-three of the Sado Maru's survivors have reached ISiagaski. The Japanese transports Hitachi Maru and Sado Mara were encountered 70 miles from Moji, whither they intended to return. When the Sado Mara was disabled 600 rowed away, and 400 remained, preparing for suicide. Finally they tried to stop the leaks and construct rafts. They drifted for 20 hours. The Hitachi Maru's victims include Campbell (chief officer), Bishop (chief engineer), and Glass. All accounts agree that the Russians deliberately butchered the combatants. The non-combatants were shown clemency. The majority on the Sado Maru were allowed to leave before the torpedoing began.

Admiral Bezabrazoff is .still at sea. Details of the recent fighting show that the Pi-tsz-wo-Port Adams line, which General Stakelburg tried to force, forms the northern gate of the peninsula. General Oku, at Port Adams, advanced as cabled, along the westernmost road, while portion cf the force on the left followed the Fu-chau highway. The cavalry advanced on the extreme right from Pi-tsz-wotoHi-guyyo-chin. The left wing on the morning of the 14th advanced to Niuchwang. The centre and right, preserving touch, reached Chiao-kia-lan on the Taping-ken line 12 kilometres south of Tele-sze. The country is hilly and the advance difficult. The Russians held the Ta-fang-shin-lomg-wang-miao line immediately south of Tele-sze, a very strong position, but lacking facilities for retreat, though the nearness of the railway enabled rapid reinforcements to arrive.

The Russian fighting line consisted of 25 battalions of infantry, 17 squadrons of cavalry, and 98 guns, whereto constant additions were made.

The Japanese advanced on the Wang-kai-hin, Lung-kia-tun, and Mukitun line, where, posting artillery, they bombarded the enemy for two hours. The centre and right occupied the heights west of Ta-fang-kan. At dawn on the 15th the right seized the heights from Lung-kia-tun to Wang-Ma-tun, and were ordered to hold firmly without strong offensive measures, pending a flank movement by the Fu-chau column.

The Russian position was east and west aci'oss a narrow valley, wherein the railway and the Fu-chati River run, flanked by high hills. The Japanese artillery centre-right precluded the centre's advance. The enemy pressed the Japanese main column northwards to the Fu-chau River, but the flank movement on the left began to develop. The Fu-chau column's infantry and artillery reached the heights westward of Wan-kia-tun, and established touch with the centre of both columns. The force under a heavy cannonade advanced steadily, scaling precipitous scarps, and pushing back the enemy to Ta-fang-tin. The enemy's left was heavily reinforced by new troops, and attempted repeated attacks to turn the Japanese right, necessitating summoning the whole reserves, which, with timely iioyements of the cavalry threatening the Russian left rear, restored the Japanese initiative.

The Russian retreat under a withering fire was converted into a rout. A battery and two companies of infantry sent to the hills ambu«hed 900 of the retreating Russian infantry. Many were killed and wounded.

The unofficial estimate of the Russian casualties is 3000.

Some foreign attaches were present

SYDNEY, June 17.

The Consul-general's report from the commander of the army in Liao-tung states that three columns of Japanese surrounded two and a-half divisions, of Rus&ians at "Wa-fang-kau. Severe fighting lasted from dawn to 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the 15th inst., ending in the rout and flight northward of the Russians. The Japanese losses 3 so far as is known, are under 1000. The Russians left 500 killed and wounded on the field. Three hundred prisoners were captured, including the commander of the 14th Regiment, betides 14 quick-firers. The Japanese also captured the Russian colours. According to Japanese scouts, the Russians used the Japanese flag, causing the Japanese artillery to suspend firing.