RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10140, 29 August 1904, Page 2

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

HEAVY FIGHTING AT PORT ARTHUR.

Press Aasn. — By Telegraph. — Copyrigifat.

LONDON, August 27. The Japaneso at Port Arthur were using 300 heavy guns belonigng to the harbor defences at Kobe, Nagasaki and Yokohama.

No. 5 fort, between Ishan and the new European quarter, was captured, recaptnred and again taken.

Two divisions of Japanese infantry and ten batteries are operating against Langteshan. a General Kuropatkin reports a series of artillery duels, silencing several Japanese batteries, and causing serious losses to the Japanese infantry. The report, which is incomplete, discloses that the Japanese are continuing to advance, the Russians withdrawing on the main positions. Indications point to the conclusion that General Kuropatkin had begun preparations with g, view to covering his retreat, whereupon General Kurokt" sought to drive a wedge into the Russian lines, hoping to detach and defeat a portion. Medical reports published at Tokio state that a detachment of the 11th Regiment Siberian Rifles, on outpost duty on the 19th. mutilated the Japanese dead and slaughtered the Japanese wounded. Russians on the 9th attacked a fishing craft containing 172 Japanese at Kompa river, Kamschatka. Twenty-three were killed, and 149 barely escaped to Chisini Islands. . ,

Tlie steamer Valezia left Barry, Wales, with 2600 tons of steam coal for Las Palmas on the 10th. Latterly Germans acquired 70,000 tons of similar coal. It is now believed, inasmuch as it is consigned* to North-West Africa, to be intended to coal Russian cruisers.

/ LONDON, August 28. General Sakaroff, m a despatch, states that the enemy on the 26th took the offensive along the whole' front of the Manchurian army. Early m the morning the Japanese occupied the railway on their left flank towards the west, at Henchuantsa, Tolungchui and Lanchu. The attacks there ceased at noon, and the enemy concentrated .a- force of one and a-half dfivisions, with artillery, before dawn against our advance guards of the left flank at Anshantian, which retired on the main position. We repulsed the Japanese infantry on our right flank aud silenced a battery of 25 guns. We repulsed further hot attacks, and m the afternoon, taking the offensive, drove the Japanese towards Naiikan Valley. Tinfighting was m an eastern direction, with a series of bayonet encounters. The Russian losses for the day numbered 1450. Chiinchuses have been showing fresh activity around Liaochang since General Kuronatkin's retreat to Taschicliao, and the Chinese altitude south of Liaoyang has a marked change- for the worse. The Baltic fleet, m cruising, disclosed many defects m the old' patched ships, and the new ones are little better. The Orel stranded m the' Neva, and afterwards proved' leaky, and at final trials Mas incapable 'of stirring, sand hindering the movement, of the shaft. Her concMtion is attributed to Japanese agents. Admiral Rozhdestyersku's efforts night aud day to make the fleet seaworthy were discouraged by administrative officers neglecting to cordially assist. The Smolensk and St. Petersburg have been acting from Admiralty's orders. The ■first were issued regardless of Count Lamsdorff. The latter suggested that British cruisers should act ns messengers. It is believed that Mr Balfour has instructed them to insist on the Smolensk's and St. Petersburg's obedience.

(Received August 29, 8.45 .a.m.) LONDON, August 28. Twenty siege guns have been landed at Yinkkow and conveyed: to Tashichau. The Daily Express states that 'the Russians have stopped, seized or sunk -39 British, seven German, and eight other vessels. The Japanese seized two British, seven German, and eight other vessels. " The Russians liberated all 1 the German vessels except the Thea. ■ The German newspaper Vorwerts reports that the Cossacks have shot many deserters crossing into Silesia, where .large batches have been seen daily. Prussia repatriats those nrres.ted, alleging they are impecunious aliens. .' ,