PORT ARTHUR BOMBARDMENT PORT ARTHUR BOMBARDMENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10137, 25 August 1904, Page 3

PORT ARTHUR BOMBARDMENT

FIGHTING AT CLOSE QUARTERS.

Press Awn.— By Telegraph.— Copyright. LONDON, August 24. The Japanese h.*iA*e occupied Taipingtze, a, mile from Port Arthur, between the city and forts on the Russian right wing. Of 20 siege guns on Wolf Hill, four are. 12-inch. An «*u*erage of 800 shells are daily poured into the town.. Damage has been done to the diy dock and railway station. The Russians declare tliat a Chinese engineer avlio -deserted to the Japanese! supplied them Avith information enabling them to divide Port Arthur into sections and acurately bombard the town. THE FIGHT WITH THE NOVIK. Tlie Tsushima and Chitoso were searching, m heavy weather, m two directions. The former found the NoA-ik off Korsakovk, at 4.30 m the afternoon. She sent an ethergra.ni to the Chitose, and began tlie attack. The Novik was hit frequently, and retired to the inner anchorage, being en-A-eJoped m Avhite smoke, and evidently on fire. The Tsushima Avas hit through the bunkers at 6 o'clock, and as she was listing • badly, she Avithdrew for repairs, Avhich were soon completed. The Chitose meaJiAvhile arriA*ed, and Avaiched the harbor, Avhile the Tsushima guarded the straits. The Novik' s crew on Sunday Avere apparently- landing where the vensel had been beached. The Chitose, shelling for an hour, then steumed Avithin. 250 yards, and saw the vessel practically destroyed. The Askold and Grovosoi not having complied Avith the Taotai's order at the expiration' of the- time limit, at tlie Taotoi's instance, Mr Warren, British Consul-General, requires a cessation of work at noon to-day, and the Dock Company complies with Mr Warren's request. The Taotai to-day officially demanded the disarmament of both A-essels. RUSSLVS BAD FAITH. The captain of the Comedian lias lodged a protest against the Smolensk's action. The impression is that the Smolensk is starching for the steamer Ormley, from New York to Fusin, Avith a cargo of railway material. , The Orinley left Durban on Sunday. A warship resembling and supposed to be the Smolensk passed Cape Saint Francis on Friday, flying a French ensign. Newspapers of all shades of opiuion make severe comments on the Comedian case. The Avar risk under the British. Hag is fourfold tliat on French and German vessels. The Times states that if the Smolensk and St. Petersburg proceeded to South Africa, as they might noAV be expected there, it seems out of the question tliat the cruisers purchased m Germany could liave reached the spot. A Durban correspondent says that it now appears certain that the cruiser is the Smolensk. FALL IN BRITISH CONSOLS. Consols are at 87 7-8. The fall is due to fears that possible complications will ensue m regard to the seizures made by the Russians m connection with the Russo-Japanese war.