THE BUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2668, 3 May 1905, Page 49

THE BUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

LONDON, April 24. The women and children are withdrawing from Harbin. The next battle is expected to take place to the east or south of Tsit-si-har. .Eight thousand Russians crossed the Tmnen into Korea. Twenty-five thousand picked troops around Moscow are going to the front. French and German ships left Saigon daily, carrying immense supplies for Admiral Rozhdestvensky. - There were 45,000 tons of Russian coal stored at Saigon. Russian colliers arrived on Saturday and removed it. Official advices from Saigon state that 'Admiral Rozhd'estvensky visited Admiral Jonqueries, and that their leave-taking :was most' cordial. A Saigon telegram reports that the .Baltic fleet was last sighted 15 miles off fch» Annam coast, steering north.

When leaving Kamranh Admiral Rozhdestvensky was suffering from dysentery.

The officers and crew of the Russian fleet are confident- of victory.

fleet are confident- of victory. Three warships (supposed to be Admiral JMashima's squadron) were se.en off the Cofregidor Islands. The Times' Paris correspondent eulogises M. Montono's (the Japanese Minister in Paris) friendly firmness and tact in dealing with the Baltic fleet, and adds that the Czar's regard for France was shown in his promptitude in ordering Admiral Rozhdestvensky to "depart. The incident leaves no ill-feeling. The Japanese have restored the fortifications of Port Arthur. They discovered huge quantities of buried ammunition and shells. The Japanese Red Cross Society has 4000 persons, engaged in succouring the sick, and woundied. April 25. A light railway from Chung-chun to Kirin has been completed. Advices from Kamranh state that Admiral ' Rozhdestvensky's squadron of 52 ships, including transports, sailed at noon on Saturday. The only vessels remaining in the offing were the cruiser Sviettana, "the hospital ship Orel, four German, seven " Danish, and three Russian transports, and" destroyer patrols watching the •coast. The French cruiser Discirtes proceeded to Nhatrang. , •• ' Fishermen sighted 20 warships off Nhatrang. Experts are convinced .- that Admiral Rozhdestvensky trill strive to junction with Admiral DubogatofE before decisive action. v The New York Evening Sun's Saigon correspondent has arrived at Kamranh. He reports that when 30 miles south of Kamranh on Sunday 'morning he saw nine large vessels steaming north-east. He distinguished a battleship and a. cruiser. He believes them to be Admiral DubogatolFs squadron. Admiral Rozhdestvensky's . movements are causing M. Deleasse, French Foreign Minister, uneasiness. In the event of a defeat near French territorial waters the '^Russians would take refuge in a French port, and would be* compelled to disarm. A Russian hospital ship, believed to be Admiral DubogatofFs, has arrived at Batavia. It seems the Russians are using the hospital ships for scouting purposes. An official note from St. Petersburg to c telegraph agency contradicts the official Tokio t statement, and adds that no demand was made on Admiral Rozhdestvensky to leave territorial waters, as he doubtless most "punctiliously observed all .the rules .of neutrality. . ' „ The Times' St. Petersburg correspondent- infers that in consequence of Russian official^ ignorance "France look the initiative, and invited Admiral Rozhdestvensky to depart from. Kamranh, and that a delay occurred in informing Russia. The Daily Mail' reports -that the warships Glory, Centurion, Ocean, Hogue, and Bonaventura have left Hongkong. TOKIO, April 24. It is now reported here that the Askold has been manned, and that the torpedo destroyer Grosovoi has been prepared for sea and painted in readiness for escape from Shanghai. The' Japanese have protested. It' is believed that the Askold has 1000 tons of coal in her bunkers. April 25. Advices from Shanghai state that the Toatai has increased the picket boats guarding the Russian warships.