O N Thursday afternoon London was full of rumours of a
naval battle, and it was even reported that the Japanese had sustained a defeat. Friday's telegrams showed, however, that these rumours were without foundation, and that the only information obtainable in regard to the Russian fleet was that seven Russian cruisers of the Volunteer Fleet —a fact recorded by the Shanghai correspondent of the Daily Mail—had reached Wusung on Wednesday. Wusung is immediately below Shanghai on the Wusung River, on which Shanghai also is situated. It was also stated by the same correspondent that immense quantities of stores have for a long time been collected at Wusung in readiness for the Baltic Fleet. Meantime the news from Manchuria indicates that the Russians have sustained a severe check as the result of -attacking a Japanese position. Several hundred casualties are reported. This action may very likely indicate the beginning of a new movement in the land war on a large scale. The next Japanese blow is about due.
