OFFICIAL REPORT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1470, 2 June 1905, Page 2

OFFICIAL REPORT.

A REFUSAL TO SURRENDER,

By Telegraph—Press Assooiatlon —Copyright Sydney, June 1. The Japanese Consul-General's advices state : The main force of the combined Japanese fleet, upon accepting the surrender of the remaining portion of the Russian main force, near Liancourt Bocks, on the aitßrnoon of the 28th, as already reported, stopped the pursuit. White engaged in disposition of the surrendered ships, they saw in a south-wes-tern direction the coast defence ship Admiral Ushakoff. Thereupon the cruisers Iwate and Yakumo were immediately despatched in pursuit. They invited her to surrender,but on the invitation being refused sank her. They rescued her remaining crew of over three hundred men. The cruiser Dmitri Donskoi was also found at 5 p.m. in a north-westerly direction. She was immediately overtaken, and fired at vigorously fay our fourth division, and the second destroyer flotilla. She was attacked at night by the second destroyer flotilla, and was found nest morning aground on the south-eastern shore.

The destroyer Sazanami captured towards tlie evening of the 27th, south of Ureleung Island, off the Korean coast, the Russian destroyer Bilovy, wherein were found Admiral Roshdestvensky and another Admiral, both severely wounded, together with eighty Russians, including staff officers from the flagship Kniaz Suvaroff, which was sunk on the 27th. All were taken prisoners. The erniser Nitaka and destroyer alurakuma attacked also at noon on the 28th a Russian destroyer, which finally went aground, According to prisoners, theOslibaya was sunk at S p.m. on the 27th. The Navarin was also sunk. The Alma was observed on the 27th disabled and in a sinking condition, but her final fate is unknown.

Full particulars regarding the injuries to our ships are not yet to hand, but so far as can be ascertained none have been seriously injured, all being still engaged operating. ( The whole of the casualties have not been ascertained, Those of our first division are a little over 400. Prince Yorihito is in excellent health. Admiral Irnisu was slightly wounded on tho 27th.