The War.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXV, Issue 4698, 16 August 1904, Page 3

The War.

The Askold.

Struck by Two-Hundred Shells. Repairing at Shanghai. The Japanese Demands. The Fate of the Pallada. Admiral Kamimura’s Victory. Rejoicing at Tokio. The Sinking of the Burik. The Japanese Losses. A Secret Understanding. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 15 The Askold, under the command of Admiral Ukhtomsky, accompanied by a dsstroyer, was headed off Tsingtau by a Japanese cruiser, and thence proceeded to Woosung. She was pierced by 200 ihells and struck eighty times below the water-line. A large hole was made below the water-line. The barbette aft ii destroyed, and the search-light apparatus and torpedo netting are irreparably damaged. The Askold has commenced repairs in the Cosmopolitan Dock, at Shanghai. The Japanese demand the disarming of the Askold aud the destroyer Grosovoi. The latter is berthed alongside the Mandjur. It is expected that the vesmlb in question will be disarmed. Nothing is officially known regarding the Russiau ship Pallada. Possibly she has been sunk. Admiral Kamimura’s victory was celebrated with enthusiasm at Tokio. The ,: "ht cruisers engaged included the Adz- —o, Idzumo, Iwate, and Takachio. After five hours of severe fighting many of the Rurik’s crew were killed and drowned. News of her sinking was withheld from the Russian press until to-day. The casualties aboard the various Japanese vessels in recent engagements Hire as follows : Mikasa —4 officers and 29 men killed, 6 officers and 29 men severely wounded, 4 officers (including Prince Kwacho) and ; 49 men slightly injured. Yakumo.—l officer and 7 men killed, 10 men wounded. Kitsuga.—lo men wounded. Asagira.—2 men killed. A torpedo boat lost 1 man killed and hid 80 wounded. The Daily Mail reports that a shell was found in one of the Rechitelin’s guns after her capture. Dr Morrison says that the arrival of the Russian vessels at Kaiochau did not larprise foreigners in Pekin. It has long been believed that a secret understanding provided for this contingency.

The Rechitelin Incident. Further Developments. France and Russia. Admiral Alexieff’s Report. LONDON. August 11 There have been further developments in connection with the capture by the Japanese of the Russian destroyer Rechitelin at Ohefoo. Count Larasdorff has requested France on behalf of Russia to strongly protest to the authorities at Tokio with regard to the incident. The report of Captain Rostchakovski, of the Rechitelin, declares that in purinince of Rear-Admiral Grigorovitch’s orders, he disarmed his vessel and lowered the flag. All formalities having been fulfilled, thereafter he was piratically attacked. Admiral Alexieff’s report declares that the consul at Chefoo reports that while conferring with the tatoi regarding the temporary sojourn of the Rechitelin in order to repair her engines, CaDtain Boetchakovski handed over the breech blocks of the vessel’s guns and her rifles. Captain Rostchakovski reported to the Czar that he brought to Chefoo importint despatches, having traversed two blockading lines.

Official Report. Searching for the Enemy. A Breach of Neutrality. (Received 8.11 a.m) LONDON, Aug 15 An official report, published at Tokio, •Utes that the destroyers Asahio and Kuumi, under Commander Fujimoto, ordered to search for the enemy’s •bipi icattered on the 10th inst. They found a destroyer, but lost her 111 the darkness. They afterwards discovered that she had entered Chifu. They waitod outside as the Russians Wed to leave Fujimoto. Anticipating they would escape in the “ight and possibly attack merchantmen they entered and found the Reichitelin ■till undisarmed. A message was sent tbit she must quit at dawn or surrender. During the parley a quarrel arose and the magazine forward exploded, killing ■od wounding several Japanese. The destroyer was then captured. The Daily Telegraph says that the fact ‘hat Captain Rostchakoski carried deapatches to a Chinese port is con■idered in some circles as a gross breach °f neutrality. The Recent Naval Battle. The Death of Admiral Withoeft. Gunners Annihilated. An Awful Experience. The Fleet’s Intention. The Final Attack on Port Arthur. * British Steamer Overhauled. The Hospital Ship Mongolia. (Received 8.41 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 15 °f the fightiug state that four th* p ! P* anc * two cruisers surrounded tsarevitch towards Shantung and •hell. U p oll her. nin * w^v ®'* n ch shell struck her conl tower and rebounded, killing

Admiral With-i t and fatally wounding Admiral Matuhsevitoh, who was second in command. The shell also struck another officer. Moo who were working the guns were annihilated. Survivors describe the scene as infernal. Men turned grey from the awful experience. Admiral Withoeft, just before he was killed said “ This is our last fight. We must be brave.” The fleet admittedly intended to junction with Admiral Skrydloff Prior to leaving Port Arthur shells were falling upon their decks. (Received 8.51 a.m.) What is described as the final attack on Port Arthur commenced to-day. A Russian cruiser stopped and overhauled the British steamer Ronda Gorkha near Gibraltar. She was allowed to proceed. The hospital ship Mongolia has not been spoken. The Vladivostock Squadron. Vessels on Fire. Rescuing the Crews. Received 9 41 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 15. The Rossia and the Gromoboi, two of the Vladivostock Squadron which were attaoked by the Japanese caught fire several times. The Japanese rescued 450 of the crew of the cruiser Rurik, whioh was sunk.