RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 8561, 16 August 1904, Page 2

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

[By Eleotkio Telegraph.—Cofyhiqht.] (Peb Pbess Association.) Received August 16, at 8.11 a.m. London, August 15. An official report published at Tokio states that the destroyers Hsahio and Kasumi, Tinder the command of -Commander Fugimoto, were ordered to search for the enemy's ships, which were scattered on the 10th, and found a destroyer, but lost it in the darkness. It was then discovered that the destroyer had entered Chefoo. The Japanese destroyer waited outside, but as the Russian failed to leave, Commander Fugimoto, anticipating that it would escape during the night, and possibly attack the merchantmen, entered and found the Reehtelni still undisarmed. A message was sent that she must quit at dawn or surrender. During the parley a quarrel arose, and a magazine forward exploded, killing and wounding several Japanese. The destroyer was then captured. The Daily Telegraph says that the fact that Commander Rostchakovski carried despatches into a Chinese port is considered in some circles as a gross breach of neutrality. Received August 16, at 8.41 a.m. London, August 15. The Russian destroyers Bezpodschtchadni and Bezshumni were slightly damaged. The destroyer Bezstrashni coaled the cruiser Novik which, after coaling, sailed towards Van Diemens Strait. The coal was taken from three British steamers, and was originally intended for Port Arthur. The Japanese warships are on the alert elsewhere on the coast to prevent the Russian stragglers from coaling. Advices received from Memuro state that the Russian soldiers at Kamschatka massacred a Japanese crew of 87 belonging to the schooner Teuchimura. Reports, of the fighting state that four battleships and two cruisers surrounded the Oesarevitch going towards Shantung, and rained shelh upon her. A 12-inch shell struck the conning-tower and rebounded, killing Admiral Withoeft and fatally wounding Admiral Matussevitch, who was second in command. It also struck another officer. The men working the guns were annihilated. The survivors describe the scene as "infernal." The men turned grey after hours of awful experience. Admiral Withoeft, just before he was killed, said, "This is our last fight; we must be brave." The fleet admittedly intended a junction with Admiral Skrydloff. Prior to leaving Port Arthur the shells were falling upon the deck. Received August"l 6, at 8.51 a.m.. London, August 15. The flags of the battleship Cesarevitcli . and the three cruisers which refuged at Kiao-cliau were hauled down, in the presence of the German Governor. The Russian Consul at Chefoo fears a Japanese attack on Russia's wireless telegraph plant which has been erected. The Japanese Consul at Chefoo states that there is no intention of giving up the Rechtelni and that her guns and torpedoes are not sufficiently disarmed. It is reported at Mukden that three large bands of Chunchuses, organised by the Japanese in the Sinmingting district, are movine up the Liao river valley, and threaten the railway. The Japanese crew of the Tea report that the Russians removed them and tried to sink the vessel by explosives, and finally fired sixty shells into her hull. What is described as the final attack on Port Arthur was commenced to-day. The Russian cruiser stopped and overhauled the British steamer Ronda Goorkha near Gibraltar, but allowed her to proceed. The hospital ship Mongolia has not- been spoken. Received August 16, at 9.41 a.m. London, August 15. The Rossia and <3romoboi, two of the Vladivostock squadron, which were attacked by th» Japanese, caught fire several times. The Japanese rescued 450 of the crew of the cruiser -Rurik, which was sunk.