RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7705, 6 January 1905, Page 3

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

Price of Port Arthur to Japa DESPONDENCY.IN RUSSIA. LONDON, Jan. 4. Tho Russians think the capture of Port Arthur cost the Japanese two hundred million yen. Baron Hayashi states that no ai>mi slice is contemplated. Operations wiijl continue. The Russian j>ress dwells on the heroic character of the defence of Port Arthur, and asserts that the sacrifices have not <oeen in vain. .Lieutenant Klisovitch, commanding the last launch which escaped to Che-foo, states that most of tho fortress and town of Port Arthur is absolutely wrecked. Several explosions were necessary to destroy the warships. The Sevastopol caught fire, blow up, and turned turtle in deep water, The sunken ships blocked the harbour entrance, ami only the hospital ships Kazan and Mongolia found it navigable. Escapees state that eleven thousand ol the gjarrison were killed. Some o£ them who were wounded seven times returned to the iight when convalescent, Tho proportion of officers killed was the highest recorded, owing to the men requiring constant leading in consequence of lethargy resulting from want of food and sleep, . British cruiser Andromeda, from Wez-hqi-wei, carried to Port , ' two B ur «eons, a hospital staff, and one hundred thousand pounds' worth of provisions as well as 350 beds, medical appliances, and comforts for the Russian sick and wounded.. The statement that eight hundred ot the Port Arthur escapees had reached Kiao-chau is contradicted General -N'ogi reports that transfer of war material and Government property began 10-day. ' ST, PETERSBURG, Jan. 4, Tho feeling of gloom is growing in Russia. General Stoessel is regarded as a universal hero. The blowing up of the ships is acclaimed;, THE BALTIC SQUADRONS. IN MADAGASCAR WATERS. ADMIRAL TOGO INTENDS TO FOP'JE MATTERS. LONDON, Jan. 4. Four Japanese warships are cruising east of the coast of Sumatra. It (is .believed that the Baltic Squadron's rendezvous will be Dipgo . Suarez Bay, Madagascar. The Standard, states that Admiral Togo intends to force the Baltic I'leet to fight or return to Europe. He will be ready to advance a considerable distance to meet Admiral Rozhdeshenslty. The Russian journal Novoe Vretnya says that British ships are shadowing the Baltic Fleet, tin order to disclose Its movements to Japan and adds that the least cause may Provoke consequences akin to the North Sea incident. (Received Jan. 5, 11.33 p.m.) Tho ♦ * LONDON, Jan. 5. Ih stat* that British ships denied VIDS Baltic Flect is RUSSIAN NAYAL RECONSTRUCTION. PROJECTED EXPENDITURE OF FORTY MILLIONS. ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 4. It is stated in financial circles that Russia is spending forty millions sterling abroad in the first three years for the construction of a navy|i MESSAGE FROM STOESSEL. "OUR GREAT SOVEREIGN WILL FORGIVE US." (Received Jan. 5, 9.43 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 5. General Stoessel, cabling to the Czar on Sunday, stated that the Japanese on Saturday, after tremendous explosions under Fort No, 3, maintained for two hours an infernal bombardment along the whole line. They then assaulted the Chinese wall, extending from Fort No. 3to the Eaglo's Nest fort. Twice they were repulsed, the artillery inflicting much damage. When it became impossible to defend the wall the Russians retired to the hills. "We are abandoning the greater part of the eastern front, and since we shall be unable long to defend a new uosition we must capitulate ; but everything is in God's hands. We have suffered great losses. The commander of Fort No, 3 perished in pne of the explosions. Our great sovereign will forgive us. We have done all that was humanly possible. Judge us, but be nierpiful. Eleven months of ceaseless fighting have exhausted our strength. Only one quarter of the defenders—and half these invalids—occupy 27 versts of fortifications, without support and without intervals for even the briefest repose. The men are reduced to shadows."THE QUESTION OF PEACE, JAPANESE OFFICIALDOM WANTS COMPLETE VICTORY. (Received Jan. 5, 9.."50 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 5. '1 he weight of official opinion In Tokio is adverse to peace, until General Kuropatkin and Admiral Rozlidestvensky are defeated. WITHIN THE FORTRESS. GENERAL NOGI'S REPORT. LONDON, Jan;. 5. General Nogi reports that 35,000 persons have surrendered at Port Arthur, including 25,000 soldiers and sailors, 20,000 being sick and wounded. Common provisions, such as bread, are plentiful, but there is a scarcity of meat and vegetables, and there are no medical supplies. Tho Japanese arc strenuously succouring the garrison, A RUSSIAN PROTEST. TO BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH FRANCE. PARIS, Jan. 5. Le Temps announces that Russia has asked France to transmit to Japan Russia's formal protest against the bombardment of the hospital at Port Arthur. THE CAPTIYE GARRISON. DISPOSING OF THE PRISONERS. (Received Jan. 5, 10.17 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 5. General Stoessel is ill and confined to his bed. General Smirnoff, with Stoessel's approval, arranged the details of the surrender. The entire garrison and all non-combat-ants will march on Thursday to the village of Yaputhure, near Pigeon Bay, and the officers will then be taken to Dalny, where they wilt be liberated. Prisoners will be removed from Dalny to Japan. NOGI'S ARMY SURPRISED. ' GARRISON DEMORALIZED BY DYNAMITE. (Received Jan. 5, 31.55 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 5. The surrender surprised General Nogi's army, who expected another lqonth's fighting. Victors and vanquished freely fraternized around bonfires. The awful destruction worked by dynamite at Erlungshan and Shushungshan greatly damped the garrison's ardour and subsequent assaults were, comparatively speaking, feebly resisted. ADMIRALS IN DISGUISE. l;f:AOH C'lIE-FOO. I LONDON, Jan. 5. It is reported - that Admirals UcK- ! tomsky and'Toschins-ky have reached