RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 8561, 16 August 1904, Page 1

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

[By Electeio Telegraph.—-Copyeight.] 'Per Press Association.) Received August 15, at 11 p.m. London, August 15. The cruiser Askold, under the command of Prince Ukhtomsky, accompanied by a detroyer, was headed oft Tsing-tau by a Japanese cruiser, and thence proceeded to Wusung. She is pierced by 200 shells. She was struck 80 times below the waterline. A large hole was made below the waterline; the barbette aft was destroyed with the searchlight. The torpedo netting was irreparably damaged. The cruiser Askold has commenced repairs in the Cosmopolitan dock at Shanghai. The Japanese demand the disarming of the cruiser Askold and the destroyer Grozovoi. The latter is benned alongside the Mandjur. It is expected they will disarm. The casualties aboard the various Japanese vessels were: Mikasa —4 officers and 29 men killed, 6 officers and 29 men severely and 4 officers (including Prince Kwachonk) and 49 men slightly wounded; Yakumo —7 men killed, and 10 men wounded; Nisshin—-7 officers and 9 men killed, 2 officers and 15 men wounded ; Kasuga—lo wounded; Asagira—2 killed; the torpedoers lost one killed and 89 wounded. Received August 1, at 11.12 p.m. London, August 15. . The Duilv Mail reports that a shell was found in one of the Rechtelni's guns after capture. Dr Morrison says the arrival of the Rns-: sian vessels at Kiao-chau did not surprise the foreigners at Pekin, who long believed a secret understanding provided for this contingencyReceived August 16, at 0.36 a.m. • London, August 15. Admiral Matusheevitch died of his wounds in the Tsing-tau hospital. He signed a cablegram to the Czar on the 12th reporting himself slightly wounded, and giving an account of the battle. His report says: "The Japanese fleet was composed of three detachments, the first consisting of the battleships Asahi, Mikasa, Fuji, Yashima, and Shikishima; the second consisting of the cruisers Yakumo, Kasagi, Chitose, and Takasago; and the third of the cruisers Akitsushina, Idzumi, Matsushima, Itsukushima, and Hashidate, and the battleship Chinyen, and 30 torpedo craft. The Russians manreuvred to gain a passage through Admiral Togo s line. The Japanese laid floating mines, rendering the evolution of the Russian squadron difficult. At one o'clock, after forty minutes' fighting, the Russums traversed Admiral Togo's line towards Shantung, the enemy following at full speed. They overtook them slowly, and fighting was resumed at five o'clock, and continued for hours without advantage on either side. Resides Admiral Withoeats death the captain of the Cesareviteh was severely wounded. The Cesarovitchs encrines and steering gear were damaged, and she was obliged to stop for forty minutes, forcing the others to manoeuvre around. The command of the squadron devolved on Prince Ukhtomsky. The Cesareviteh dropped out, a,nd was attacked by torpedoers. At night they arrived in the vicinitv of Shan-tung, the damage preventin" us" Going to Vladivostock. They proceeded to Kin-chau for repairs, and found the Novik and the destroyer Bezshmnni at Tsing-tau." ' , , , Other accounts state that at four o clock the shell which killed Admiral Withoeft also killed the flag officer. The deck of the Osaravitch was slippery witn Wood. The thunder of the guns rendered the men almost deaf. Fifteen were killed and 45 wounded. A torpedo broke the rudder shaft, and a gun was disabled. The Japanese demanded that the Cesarevitch should quit- Tsing-tau. The Germans promised that she would be dismantled. . . Two officers besides Admiral Mahusheevitcli have died. Received August 16, at 1.3 a.m. London, August 15. Count Lamsdorff has requested France, on behalf of Russia, to strongly protest at Tokio in reference to the Rechitelm. Commander Rostchakovski's report declares that in pursuance of Rear-Admiral Grigorovitch's orders he disarmed and lowered his flag. All the formalities were fulfilled, and thereafter he was piratically attacked. Prince Alexeieff's report declares that the Consul at Chefoo Teports that while conferring with the Taotai resrardin" the temporary sojourn of the Rpruiceini in order to repair her engines, Commander Rostchakovski handed "over his breach blocks, oims, and rifles., Admiral Kamimura's victory was received with enthusiasm at Tokio. Eight cruisers were engaged. Thev included the Azumo, Idzumo," Iwate, and Takachiho. There was five hours* severe fighting. Many of the Rurik's crew were killed or drowned. The news of her sinking was withheld by the Russian Press until to-day . Received August 16, at 1.15 a.m. London, August 15. Nothing is officially known regarding the Pallada. She has possibly sunk. Commander Rostchakovski has reported to the Czar that he brought to Chefoo important despatches. He traversed the two blockading lines. RUSSIAN OPINION'. Our wounded, comparing the Japanese equipment with our own, say mat the Japanese soldier can fight with greater ease, as, with the exception of the rifle he carries a very light weight, <ind can rush a position like a. bird, while the Russian soldier is panting under the weight of the equipment he carries —Novoe Vremya, St. Petersburg. As soon as their sea communications with their supply bases are not absolutely secure the Japanese will find themselves in a most difficult situation. When once their warships are obliged to convoy transports with supplies, then their neet is scattered and loses all its meaning and its strength. It will not even be in a condition to maintain the blockade of Port Arthur.—Svet, St. Petersburg. Russia has her own vital interests to consider. For this reason she could only .think of accepting a peace which would be commensurate with her vast sacrifice of money and human life. Thus the declaration of the Russian. Government of its unwillingness to accept mediation of anykind remains in full force.—Novosti, St. Petersburg. Justice compels us to admit that in point of bravery and heroism the Russians have not hitherto met more worthy opponents than the Japanese. But Russian bravery, and, in fact, that of Western Christianity, proceeds from a contempt for death; whereas the Buddhist Japanese bravery finds its source in a contempt for life. —Petersburgkaya Gazette. - The whole of Europe now wishes for .the success of Russian arms. Not because Europe loves Russia, but because she understands that great historical misfinp which has fallen to the lot of Russia to fulfil in the East, and with the accomplishment of which is hound up the mora], economic, and political welfare of all the white races.—Nove Vremya, St. Petersburg. WAR- NOTES. There have been many estimates ©f the garrison of Port Arthur. Before the battle of Nanshan Hill it was generally accepted that General Stoessel had 25,000 men Tinder him. The prolonged struggle maintained* by the garrison at the outlying forte suggests that the defenders must number more than 25,000. . They have clung to those outlying defences . for more than two months. Their losses on. many occasions have been so heavy that there wouldnow be a mere remnant of a garrison left if no more than 25,000 fighting men had .been in Port Arthur. From this point of view it is worth noting that Russian refugees who arrived at Chefoo'on June 30 said that there were in Port Arthur more than 40,000 troops, 10,000 sailors, and 4000 civilian volunteers. If these are the correct figures, and they may be so, the Japanese will need all the 120,000 men credited to them to capture the fortress. If there are all these troops in Port Arthur then Gene-

ral Kuropatkin can hardly have as many men at Liaoyang as was supposed. Apparently Rusian officers cann-at spell. According to a- correspondent at Mukden, Gerreial Kuropatkin lias been dealing out leproofs to his officers oil this score. StaffCaptam. "X," ordered to driuv up a report on. the" commissariat arrangements at Ho-tier.-ling, sent ini an ill-spelt document ending in a quotation from "Macbeth." The Russian commander . returned the report with the following marginal note :—"The knowledge of English literature is not as meritorious in a Russian officer as ignorance of Iris own language is shameful. The agitation, for the simplification of Russian orthography must receive a great impetus from spelling like Captain 'X : s.'" From Harbin come several interesting items of news concerning the Yalu battle. The most romantic deals with the proceedings of three intrepid Red Cross riders in long gray coats in the Russian vanguard detachments,' who excited general admiration. They appeared wherever the fight was hottest and galloped from one place to another on their errand of mercy. "Providence," says one writer, "kept them safe from the well-aimed fire of the enemy. It was discovered later that they were women, the wives of combatants."