ENORMOUS LOSSES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10303, 10 March 1905, Page 2

ENORMOUS LOSSES.

ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND CASUALTIES.

(Received March 10, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, March 9.

Marshal Oyama has forbidden masses of troops to enter Mukden, m order to ensure respect for the Imperial Tombs. General O'kui's left column had a fierce fight seven miles north of the Hun river, and five miles west of the railway, with a force thrice superior m numbers. Tlie casualties were 10,000.

Fighting is proceeding at Santaitai, on the railway, 10 miles north of Mukden. Renter's Tokio correspondent reports that the Japanese have cut the railway north of Mukden.

It is officially announced! that the general retreat commenced early on Wednesday.. Crowds at Tokio are celebrating the vie. tory. ■ Marshal Oyama reports that the Russiaus have been defeated' at all points, and ai-e m full retreat, the Japanese pursuing. There are 8000 Russian dead m front of General Oku's lines alone.

The Japanese estimate that tlie united total losses exceed! 100,000. They admit theirs amount to 50,000. The Japanese batteries und heavy guns north and l soutlC of Mukden are harassing the retreat. The forces comprising the Russian centre are retreating m great confusion. (Received! March 10, 9.8 a.m.) Russia has oi'dtered! lualf a. million shrapnel shells, 80,000 of which liave been, entrusted to a French contractor, who is obtaining 'the cases m Birmingham and fills them m France.

M. Pressense interrogates M. Dolcasse regarding Admiral Rozhjestvensky's prolonged stay m French waters. . French financiers hesitate to launch a fresh Russian loan beyond 20 millions sterling.. The Times' underwriting correspondent adlmits that the report of the cancellation of policies of three. Australian steamers for yiadivostock was premature.