THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 18 August 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

A RUSSIAN DESTROYER CAP*

TURED.

An official report published at Tokio states that the destroyers Asahio and Kasumi, under command of Captain Pujiraoto, were ordered to search for the enemy’s ships which had scattered on the 10th, They found the destroyer but lost it in the darkness. Later they discovered it had entered Cbifu.

The Japanese waited outside, but as the Russians failed to leave, the Fujimoto, anticipating they would escape in the night and possibly attack merchantmen, entered and found the Rechifcelni still undisarmed. A message was sent that she must quit at dawn or surrender. During the parley a quarrel arose. The magazine forward exploded, killing and wounding several Japanese. The destroyer was then captured. COALING RUSSIAN WARSHIPS. The Russian destroyers Bezposchtohadni and Bezchumni were slightly damaged when coaling. The destroyer Beztraschni coaled the Novik, which, after coaling, sailed towards Van Diemen Strait. The coal was taken from three British steamers originally intended for Port Arthur. Japanese warships are on the alert elsewhere on the c ast to prevent Russian stragglers coaling. Advices have been received from Memuro that Russian 'soldiers at Karasobatka massacred a Japanese crew of 87 on the schooner Tenchimura.

The flags of the Osareyitch and three other cruisers, which refuged at Kinehau, were hauled down in the presence of the German Governor.

The Japanese Consul at Obifu states there is no intention of giving up the Russian destroyer Bechitelni, her guns and torpedoes, as she was not sufficiently disarmed.

AN INFERNAL SCENE. Reports regarding the fighting state that four battleships and two cruisers surrounded the Csarevitch towards Shantung and rained shells upon her. A 12-incb shell struck her con-ning-tower and rebounded, killing Admiral Withoeft and fatally wounding Admiral Matussevito, who was second in command. It also struck another officer and men working the guns, who were annihilated. , The survivors describe the scene as infernal, and men turned grey their awful experience. Admiral Withoeft, just before being killed said ; “ This is our last fight, we must be brave." Prior to leaving Port Arthur shells were falling upon their decks. THE FINAL ATTACK ON PORT ARTHUR. What is described as the final attack on Port Arthur was commenced on Monday. A Russian cruiser stopped and overhauled the British steamer Ronda Goorkba. near Gibraltar. Eventually she was allowed to proceed.

The Times says there is a growing feeling that British steamers trading to the Far East have been withdrawn prematurely. They ought to compete and then, if unfairly treated, the Government could act on a clear issue. - '

The Eossia and Groraoboi, two of the Yladivostock squadron, which were attacked by the Japanese, caught fire several times.

The Japanese rescued 450 of iaa crew of the cruiser Rurik, which was sunk;

The Latest.

PROTECTION OF BRITISH SHIPPING.

The Standard, commenting on the King’s speech, declares that for the next few months protection rights depend upon the Cabinet and Foreign Office. Are they prepared to keep the seas clear for peaceful and legitimate trade by weapons more operative than diplomatic remonstrances ? We want to be sure that Britishers have fair play. Vessels must be secured against piratical depredation, and if diplomacy fails other meins must be found. The navy was not kept merely as a show. FAVOURED TREATMENT OP RUSSIAN WARSHIPS. German socialist newspapers And Professor Lismit protest against the favored treatment of Russian ships at Kiacbau, because the ships, are fleeing to a friendly refuge and recall that during the Franco-German war General Bourbakio’s forces were •disarmed in Switzerland. The Daily Mail’s Aden correspondent reports that a Russian ship, supposed to be the St. Petersburg, called at Hodieda for provisions and stores, which the Turkish officials refused. She then steered to Kamaran where she met a similar refusal. . ; Admiral Togo reports that a vessel of the Pa'lada type was torpedoed and sank on the battle on the 10th. The Recbitelni carried General Stosssel’s wif* and children to Chifu. SORTIE FROM PORT ARTHUR. Chifu reports state that Russian vessels sortied from Port Arthur on Tuesday morning. The Japanese are pursuing, them- .4 later tele*

gram indicates that the battle is drifting towards Chifu, The Caarevitch’s officers at Kiachau assert they saw a Japanese battleship sunk in the battle on the 10th.

Reuter’s Agency reports that the Russian warships at Jviachau have been dismantled. RUSSIAN LOSSES.

It is officially announced at St. Petersburg that the losses in the Port Arthur naval fighting on the Bth and 10th were 7 officers and 247 men killed ; 35 officers and 1553 men wounded ; one officer and 83 men are missing. Many of those rescued from the Rurik assisted in sinking the Hitachi Maru when the victims were left to drown.

A Japanese spy blew up the railway between Anshantin and Liao* yang, and escaped. The line has been repaired.