THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR. LONDON, June 5.

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 49

THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR. LONDON, June 5.

The Times states that there are dreadful unconfirmed rumours in circulation in St. Petersburg to the effect that grave disaffection broke out in the Manchurian army immediately the news of the naTal disaster was disclosed.

Admiral Enkvist's squadron sent an officer ashore at Sual representing that hs belonged to a distressed French squadron, and asked for permission to telegraph. The commandants at Sual warned the United States Admiral Train, who immediately sent a powerful squadron, whichescorted the Russians to Manila. It is expected that the latter will be interned there.

The Russian prisoners were terribly distressed over Admiral Rozhdestvensky's capture.

Admiral Enkvist has a&ked permifasion to repair his vessels. The American authorities examined the ships, and report that the Oleg will take 60 days, the Aurora 30, and the Jemtehug seven to repair.

Admiral Enkvist 's executive officer states that on the Oieg the captain was killed, Prince Pateaten wounded, 20 men killed, and 83 wounded. On the Jemtehug 13 were killed and 18 wounded, and on the Aurora 21 junior officers and 12 men were killed and 30 wounded.

The ships were all hit with shells, ar,d the 01 eg was. so badly damaged early in the fight that the Admiral -transferred his "> flag to the Aurora, which ( the destroyers and submarines immediately attacked. The submarines pressed them so overwhelmingly that the Aurora, taking advantage of the mist, dashed for the open sea, the Jemtehug and Oleg following.

Admiral Enkvist was wounded

The Aurora was hit below the waterline, her funnels were riddled, and many of her guns dismounted. The Russians confirm the throwing of the Orel's badly wounded overboard.

The Lena, which has been in San Fran-' cisco for some time, will now be allowed l to proceed to Vladivostock as a hospital ship. Twenty-nine of the crew of the Oldhamia, believed to have been sunk by the Russians off Formosa, were landed at Swatow, and the captain and three men landed at Nagasaki.

The Japanese have floated the Variag,, which was^ sunk at Chemulpo at the commencement of the war.

Admiral Birileff, who left to take command of the Russian Pacific fleet, has returned to St. Petersburg.

The Russian transports at Wu-sung have been interned, and their crews released on parole.

June v

The American authorities in the Philip- ■- pines refuse to allow Admiral Enkvist to repair battle injuries. They .direct that the vessels be interned unless they- leave hmnediatelv.

The Daily Telegraph's Tokio correspondent states that 14,000 men of the Baltic squadron were killed or drowned, 4600 captured, and 3000 escaped. None "of the Russian officers is -willing to accept the Mikado's permission tc return home on parole, fearing they wil'J be court-martialled.

The Sahanami's officers state that the Bildovy, when she was overtaken, hoisted a- white flag -with a red cross, and signalled that Admiral Rozhdestvnsky and his staff were aboard. They were surprised and overjoyed when the Japanese boarded the vessel.

The Russian oflkers were found around Rozhdestvensky, who was lying in a pool of blood on the bottom of the destroyer, and was almost unconscious.

The officers pathetically appealed to theJapanese mercifully not to remove the wounded Admiral, lest his wounds should reopen. The Japanese consented, and alt the risk of recapture towed the Bildovy to Sasebo.

The Japanese officials have telegraphed to Madame Rozhdestvensky that her husband's wounds are healing rapidly.

The officer commanding the torpedc flotilla states that he found the Dmitrr Donskoi abandoned off an island on the southern coast of Korea, the survivors having landed under a white flag. When the Japanese were preparing to seize the vessel she suddenly rolled to starboard and;sank in three minutes. Her vice-captain declared that the ship was not wilfullysunk, but foundered after receiving five or six torpedoes.

Two-thirds of the crew were killed. The captain died in the Sasebo Hospital of his wounds.

Admiral Uriu's squadron is off Sutzlaff Island searching for missing Russian ships. Seven destroyers are reported to be cruising off Correginor Island.

A Russian cruiser, two destroyers, and a volunteer cruiser were sighted on Monday 100 miles south-west of Hongkong.Two Russian volunteer cruisers overhaul**.' four merchantmen 50 miles north-east of Hongkong.

Paris reports that though M. de Witte and Count Lamsdorff are strenuously urging peace the Court continues in favour of war.