The Somerset reporter., 1904-10-27
The War.

|
There has been no resumption of
! fighting of general character oil the
~hakhe river. Both Russians and Jap
anese are entrenchiDg their positions.
The outposts are within 700 yards of
each other and less than four miles
separate the main armies.
A scarcity of fuel is causing the SOL
diers great suffering since cold weather
set in.
st Petersburg has information that
the Japanese army confronting General
Kuropatkin is receiving heavy re iu-
forcements from the Port Arthur army
and direct from Japan.
The Japanese are sending down the
guns and rifles captured from the Rus
slams and are receiving supplies of am
munition and reinforcements.
A japanese forward movement is
daily expected and it is believed that
there is heavy fighting ahead.
The question of fuel is becoming a
serious one. The greater part of the
Chinese corn has already been used for
fuel and for fodder while most of the
houses in the Chinese villages have
been destroyed and their wood used for
| fuel
Without fuel and without shelter be-
yond that provided by tents, it seems
impossible for the armies to remain in
the field during the increasing cold
weather
On Thursday the 10th instant the
hostile armies near Mukden were con-
ceaed from the views of each other by
/ / /,
sible to make out objects at distance
of 100 PAGES. Under such conditions
only uBimportant operations were pos
sible, such as surprises and ambushes.
The foreign office at London has been
informed of an attack on the Hull fish
ing fleet by the Russian second Pacific
squadron, commanded ny Vice Admiral
Rojestvensky. The official information
is that shortly after midnight, Friday,
the Russian squadron fell in with the
Hull fishing fleet in the North Sea. The
first portion of the fishing feet passed
safely Then the Russian ships turned
their search lights on the British vessels
for some time and little later opened
| fire. The steam trawler Crane was sunk
and the decapitated bodies Of her spip-
per and mate were taken to Hull.
The boats ain and other mem bars of the
crew, who are understood TO be ser-
ously injured, were on board q mission
ship. The only slightly injured mem
bers of the crew have arrived at Hull.
The steam trAwlers koulmein and AiuO
have arrived at Hull seriously damaged
by shots, tho latter having 16 holes ia
her hull 1t was feared that other dam
age WAS done to trawlers and that at
| least one more trawler was lost with all
hands
More than 10000 wounded soldiers
have arrived at Hardin and are being
tended with the greatest care. Every
ayisble hand has been set to work in
the making of 10000 shirts for the
wounded.
Manchurian headquarters reporting
| by telegraph to Toxic, Saturday, say
that the number of Russian dead found
on the battlefield and inferred, up to
October 22d, makes a total of 10 $50
! Upon this total Russian casualties are
estimated to exceed 10000 The Jap
anese captured total of As guns during
the Shakhe operations.
Great Britain on Monday sent long
and urgent note to the Russian govern.
ment, officially detailing the clrcum-
stances Of the amazing and unexplained
attack by he Russian second Pac Tic
squadron during the night Of October p
on British fishing boats in the North
sea The text of the note has not been
given out, but il is officially stated from
the foreign Office that il contains the
significant announcement that the stu
alton is one which, in the opinion of
His hajesty's government does not
brook delay
King Edward has received from En-
peror Nicholas, himself, a cablegram
expressing the deepest regret and
practics aekno Wledgement that Great
Brtsin's preemptory note will meet
with a reply, conceding every demand
for apology for the act of aggression
against the british flag, compensation
for sufferers and punishment of the
officers responsible for what is every
where conceded TO have been gigantic
blunder and the Russian ambassador 70
the court of st. James has expressed 70
Foreign Minister Lansdown his sorrow
and sympathy.
Kuropatkin has been appointed COM
mander-in-chief Of the Russian forces in
Manchuria. The appointment gives sat
isfaction in Russia.
The Russian reply to Great Britian's
note on subject of the North Sea tragedy
has been received by the British govern.
ment 1t expresses deep regret at the
oecurance and promises full reparation
so soon az an official report is received
from Vice Admiral Rojestvensky,
England is very FESTIVE under the pres
ent condition of affairs, and the navy is
active.