Japan's Nelson.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8051, 31 March 1905, Page 3

Japan's Nelson.

Togo Off to Sea, Again,

(F. om the Spec.al Correspondent o* the Daily Telegraph, London.) . XOBIO, February 6. The departure of Admiral Togo to re■join his fleet this afternoon was made the occasion of an enthusiastic demonstration. A triumphal procession was organised from his residence, and1 presented, one continuous chorus of '' BanZiiis I" and waving of flags and banners. Qutfide the Shimbashi station a crowd numbering over ten thousand persons had collected.

The gallant admiral was received by a notable assembly, including the Premier, the Minister of Marine and of "War, officers of both army and navy, and many of the principal dignitaries in the land, among them' the British Minister (Sir Claude Macdonald). Opposite the platform the station was thickly lined with students, clad in their blue coats with brass buttons.

Admiral Togo wa3 preoeeded to the station by his wife and family, and he followed them with his staff. He wore a Bitnple uniform, and his great ooat waa adorned only with two golden stars. I thought he looked more aged than when I saw him last year on hiH flagship the Mikasa. His face waa pale, and apparently he was hardly rocovered from his recent indisposition. Still, he was the same kindly, modest gentleman, unostentatiously acknowledging with short salutes and gracious bows the rounds of wild-cheering that greeted him. It was difficult, indeed, to reconcile the mildness of his expression with the fact that he is the raarvwho\has already destroyed one Eussian fleet and is about to meet another.

On entering the station Admiral Togo shook hands with the British Minister (Sir Claude Macdonald) with pronounced warmness. A charming incident was furnished by half a dozen little geisha girls, who, dressed in beautiful flowercovered costumes, edged their way through the crowds, gave a shrill-voiced "Banzai!" presented Admiral Togo with dainty little flags, and received acknowledgments for their courtesy. It is a curious coincidence that it is exactly a year ago to-day since Admiral Togo left Sasebo to make his first attack on the Russian fleet at Port Arthur.

There are now nine captured steamers at Sasebo. One of them has on board material intended for the building of Russian destroyers. Three days ago a member of the crew was caught trying to sink the ship.