Corruption at Port Arthur.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6201, 23 February 1904, Page 2

Corruption at Port Arthur.

The Chemulpho Fight. A Belated Russian Story. Pro-Russian Campaign in Europe. Anti-British Demonstration, That Mad Count. (Received Feb 23, 8.55 a.m.) London, Feb. 22 The " Daily Telegraph " reports that serious embezzlements and corruption in regard to victualling have been revealed at Port Arthur, where sand has been supplied instead of sugar and large military storas said to have been supplied are nonexistant.

M. PavloS's report of the fight at Chemulpo represents that the cruiser Takachicho was sunk and the Asama silenced.

(The Takachicho, which is thus reportedv to have been sunk, is a protected cruiser of 3,650 tons with 7,500 indicated horse power, armed with two 10'2in breech and six 5 9in quick firers. The Asama, said to have been silenced, is of 9700 tons, with 17,000 indicated horse power, and is armed with four Bin and fourteen 6ln quick flrers. 11. PavlofE's statement directly conflicts with the statements of Admiral Togo, the commander of the Japanese fleet, and with the descriptions of the fight supplied by the press correspondents. It has been probably made with a view to soothing the susceptibilities of the Russian people, who are certtinly feeling very sore over their continued reverses.) A vigorous pro-Russian campaign, hostile to Britain, is progressing in Europe. Crowds at Prague made a demonstration against the British and American consulates. The police interfered. St Petersburg, Feb. 22 Count Dembsky, who became demented, ficed into the crowd at Warsaw and killed thirteen persons before he was disarmed. He kept the police at bay for four hours.