RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2675, 21 June 1905, Page 19

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

DELUDING THE HOME PEOPLE. LINEVITCH ENVELOPED. WAITING FOR THE BATTLE. JAPAN'S PLENIPOTENTIARY. i MARQUIS ITO APPOINTED. A CAVALRY REVERSE. HEAVY RUSSIAN LOSSES. KOURAPATKIN AS SANGUINE AS EVER. ST. PETERSBURG, June 13. The Bourse is livelier than at any time since the beginning of the war. There •was a considerable rise in stocks all round, Russian 4's attaining £85. June 14. A summary of the communication between Count Lamsdorff and Mr Meyer, the American Ambassador, was published to-day. It declares that the Czar instructed Count Lamsdorff to intimate regarding the eventual meeting of plenipotentiaries that they -> were charged with ascertaining how far it was possible for the two Powers to elaborate conditions of peace. Russia did not object in principle to such an attempt if Japan expressed a desire therefor. The correspondence emphasises Russia's definition of a plenipotentiary (but this is undisclosed), also the fact that it was seeking to impress Russia that Japan was seeking peace. The Supreme Prize Court decided that the Calchas's cofton and timber were condemned because they were destined for ■warlike purposes. The principle of conditional contraband as regards cotton is thus admitted. June 15. A sensation has been caused through an interview by M. De Witte, published in the Slav, wherein he states that he is convinced that Japan will negotiate only at Tokio, and will not conclude peace except for the term of half a century. Russia might drag on the war for five years, with a possibility of achieving success, but for internal disorders whereto the Russian Government remains obstinately deaf and blind. He added that every hour's delay brings Russia down lower and lower. . June 17. Admiral Avelan has resigned from the 'Admiralty, which will shortly b& reorganised. June 18. Fire destroyed .four depots at Moscow Containing provisions for the Far East. The Novoe Vremya's war correspondent states that many of Genei'al Kourapatkin's Intelligence Department are Japanese spies. General Kourapatkin telegraphed to the (Moscow nobility regretting the Zemstvoa' j>eaee agitation, in view of the complete certainty of victory for the Russian army. LONDON, June 13. All the generals at the front declare *hat the Russian army Is in fine condition, and burning to fight. It occupies an admirable and fortified position, and has been reinforced by fresh European army corps. General Linevitch states: — "I feel myself more than able to hold my «wn, and hope shortly to completely change the complexion of the situation." The Russian attacks at King-cheng, Er-shih-li, and Shu-fang-tai on Sunday were ell repulsed. It is expected, in pursuance of President Roosevelt's suggestion, that Field-marshal Oyama and General Linevitch will conduct negotiations, and that an armistice will automatically ensue, thus removing the issue from the sphere of direct international interference. Count Ca&sici, Russian Ambassador at

; Washington, confesses that the Peace I party is in the ascendant. In Russia today, where a strong peace sentiment exists, President Roosevelt is accounted the most popular man. Russia's persistent reverses have predisposed the Tsarskoe-Seio to peace, but President Roosevelt's insight gauged the proper moment to offer advice. Nevertheless, the people are intensely sceptical regarding the future. They are beginning to understand thatfcthe reactionaries will be strengthened if peace comes without the help of the Council of the Nation. Hence it is predicted in many enlightened quarters that the National Assembly will be convoked if the war continues, and be shelved if the Government makes peace. There is some danger lest the fear that the latter contingency may eventually induce the intelligent classes to agitate against the acceptance of Japan's terms, in the hope of hastening the convocation of the National Assembly. June 14. The Japanese, in the form, of a vast ' semi-circle in two columns, are advancing and threatening both sides of General Linevitch's strategic centre. Russian advices report severe fighting on General Linevitch's left, which has been compelled to yield to the Japanese advance. The Times' St. ' Petersburg correspondent says the Russian War Office considers a general engagement has begun, but perhaps Field-marshal Oyama is merely emphasising the position before the peace negotiations. There is profound misgiving at the order to accelerate the mobilisation of two army corps and field batteries. Considerable suspicion is expressed in several quarters that Czardom is seeking to gain time by consenting to examine the peace terms, intending ultimately to find them humiliating, and therefore inadmissible. The same American critics consider that General Linevitch is in the toils, and pronounce the Russian commander's protest against the conclusion of peace as bluff manufactured at St. Petersburg and fathered by General Linevitch himself. The Japanese raid on Omoso, 75 miles east of Kirin, is considered to be the finest cavalry achievement of the war. June 15. 1 Cannonading is reported on the Mon- | golian frontier. Field-marshal Oyama, as before the I battle of Mukden, is . delivering heavy blows on both wings. Nearly all the Russian outposts have already been turned. Japan has intimated her intention not to sacrifice her victories. She is willing to meet the Russian plenipotentiaries on the distinct understanding that a sincere effort is made to attain a permanent peace. She is ready to talk business if Russia's plenipotentiary is empowered to do likewise, but not to permit strings to be attached to the Russian plenipotentiary and pulled to Russia's advantage. The Standard's Tokio correspondent reports that Russia's dilatoriness and Count Nelidoff's minor standing tend to confirm the misgivings, and the belief of the necessity for continuing offensive operations in Manchuria is growing. It is reported that Field-marshal Oyama's reply to Tokio decidedly negatived " the idea of peace. He desires to complete the campaign and drive the Russians into Siberia. Advices from Tokio state that torpedo mines carried on the sunken Russian warships are floating about, and endanger navigation in the Sea of Japan. GeUeral Linevitch claims- some slight outpost successes near Chang-tu-fu. The Russians are astride the railway in a position extending from Cheng-chia-tiui (where there is a great supply depot) to Kirin. General Nogi threatens Cheng-chia-tun, and General Kawamura the eastern flank ; east of Kirin. j A strong detachment of General Mistchenko's cavalry ib active on General Nogi's left front, but there is no suggestion of a raid against the Japanese flank. Admiral Togo's report shows that the ■ba-ttle of Tsu-ehima comnienced at eijiht

minutes past 2 and was decided by 45 minutes past that hour. The range-finders placed in the fighting tops of the Japanese ships gave the gunners the accurate range considerably before the Russians were able ', to locate Admiral Togo's fleet. I June 16. Japan objected to the Peace Conference being held in Europe. Russia acquiesced, and both accepted Washington. The Czar is considering the matter of the appointment of General Kourapatkin as an additional plenipotentiary. It is stated in authoritative circles in Washington that, in consequence of the pressure of certain European Powers urging Japan to name a. minimum indemnity, President Roosevelt advises Japan to moderation in order to facilitate a settlement. The Russian press is nervous, and expresses a fear that Japan, in the event of an armistice, "will prepare a crushing blow in Manchuria and the Amur provinces. It is understood that Japan objects to the cold. terms of the Russian note, implying that Japan is a suitor for peace. Japan proposed that the conference of plenipotentiaries should meet at Chi-fu, and Russia Paris. President Roosevelt ■suggested The Hague. Japan and Russia then proposed Washington. The Times' St. Petersburg correspondent reports that arrangements for an armistice Trill be made only when the plenipotentiaries meet. Grand Duke Alexis has resigned the Corumandership-in-Chief of the Navy. A Russian correspondent at the front telegraphs that he has had interviews with the generals, who declare that Russia's i military position is so advantageous that ! Japan must conclude peace to avoid a crushing defeat. The Times's New York correspondent says it is thought that the Washington Conference will meet in the middle of August or the beginning of September. The Times's Tokio correspondent states that grave doubts are felt in Japan as to Russia's sincerity. Japan, though entering the Conference, will reserve her right to withdraw at the first evidence of Russian , bad fairh. Renter's Agency at Washington reports that while Germany, the United States, and France counsel Japan to propose > moderate terms, Great Britain declines to offer any advice, holding that since Japan has been victorious without assistance from t others she ought not to be hampered in her dealings with Russia. The Russian cruiser Kuban, late a Hamburg liner, is anchored off Cape St. Jacques, in French Indo-China, and asks for sufficient coal to- take her to the nearest Russian port. The Czar's rescript accepting Grand Duke Alexis's resignation, warmly thanks his uncle for his services in developing the fleet proportionately to the resources placed at his disposal. Alexis retains the rank -of Grand Admiral. The Daily Express's Kobe correspondent reports that the preliminary court of inquiry found Captain Bonquoin, a former French naval attache, guilty of treason, but acquitted Strange, his English stepson, on a charge of supplying the Russians with information. June 17. General Linevitch reports that a detachment numbering 116, marching towards Un-he-gow and Ku-tan-tize, executed a turning movement and drove the Japanese to Ufa-lu after firing the commissariat stores at Ku-tan-tize. Another detachment in the Ching-ho "Valley, on the 12th, drove the Japanese outpost to Vau-lim-gow. The Russian cavalry occupying Mun-shat-chenzi on the 12th retired a little north. The Times's St. Petersburg correspondent emphasies the trivial nature of this despatch, as signifying the curtain mystery usually preceding a tragedy. The Daily Telegraph's Tokio correspondent re2>orts that the Japanese forward movement has begun. General Linevitch's whole army is completely enveloped. The Japanese forces are tightening the circle around him, and there is a greater degree of mobility than in the battle of Mukden. I

French advices from Funge-hu-ling state that after several hours' fighting in the Omosi district the Japanese compelled the Russians to retire to Kirin. It is stated at St. Petersburg that general mobilisation will b9 necessary at the end of the month unless the peace pourparlers take a favourable turn. It is anticipated in Washington that peace negotiations will n,ot be commenced in earnest until after the coming battle. A Russian Minister informed the French newspaper Matin that there would be no real negotiations until the impending battle is decided. Even if defeated, Russia would never dismantle Vladivostoc'k or surrender Saghalien and promise not to maintain a fleet in the Pacific. It would be possible to arrange terms respecting Manchuria and Port Arthur and the payment of an indemnity. Japan is opposed to an armistice unless adequate^ guarantees of Russian good faith are given. Russia's reply, especially the intimation that she accepted President Roosevelt's proposal if Japan expressed" a desire for a conference, has inspired grave doubts in Japan. After two days' hesitation the Government waived the objections as the lesser of^two evils. Marquis Ito has been appointed Japanese Plenipotentiary in the peace negotiations. June 18. It is announced from St. Petersburg that of all the hands aboard the Imperator Alexander, Borodino, Navarin, and Kamschatka, only two sailors survived. It is officially reported that there was further outpost fighting on Thursday and Friday. General Linevitch reports that _ a Japanese dragoon captured in the Han-ho Valley had confessed that the Japanese rice rations were reduced, and that provisions and cartridges were lacking. The Daily Telegraph's St. Petersburg correspondent says that the alleged joint message from General Linevitch and other generals begging for a continuation of the war is a fabrication. Thirty five Koreans, handling a stranded torpedo, were killed by its exploding. June 19. The Japanese claim several successes against General Mistchenko. Th-e shaipest fighting took place in the Kang-pu -district on the 16th. After routing the cavalry outposts at Tien-chia-wo-peng, 16 miles north-east of Kan-ping, the pursuit was so vigorous that the Japanese captured the Russian position at Liao-yan-wo-ping, also at Lo-chuan-pou, nine miles eastward of Liao-yan-wo-ping, inflicting heavy losses. Ultimately the Russians retreated northward in great confusion exposed to a fierce shell fire, abandoning provisions and clothing. Eighty dead weie found at one spot. It is surmised th-e total losses are great. According to prisoners, 5000 of General Mistchenko's cavalry and 20 guns occupied Liao-yan-wo-ping. Thirty Japanese were killed and 185 wounded. Speaking at the launch of the cruiser Achilles, Sir Andrew Noble mentioned that every vessel in the Japanese navy had been armed at Elswick. WASHINGTON, June 14. It is announced at Washington that Russia's reply is an acceptance of Prc-i-dent Roosevelt's suggestion in the usual diplomatic form. The plenipotentiaries will probably meet at The Hague. June 15. It is officially stated here that Russia and Japan are considering whether Washington, The Hague, or Geneva, will be the meeting-place. President Roosevelt i«. informed thot Count Nelidoff, Ambassador to Paris, will be the Russian representative in the peace negotiations. June IS. The autlioiilies here ore kiss hopeful of peace.

Sunday was the anniversary of tbo battle of Waterloo.