ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 293, 22 December 1879, Page 2

ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS.

Panama papers give particulars of the fight between the Chilian and Peruvian vessels on the Bth. The Haascar (turret three guns) ana Union (14 guni) were io company when they sighted the enemy, and endeavored to escape. The Chilian vessels, consisting of one ironclad and three steamers, started in pursuit. The Peruvian vessels drew ahead, but when the fog lifted the remainder of the enemy's fleet, consisting of an ironclad frigate and three corvettes, were discovered directly in front. Etcape was impossible. The Huascar attempted to ram her nearest antagonist, but was unsuccessful owing to the power possessed by the Chillian vessels of turning in their own length, with the aid of the twin screws. The Huascar opened fire from her turret guns, which was instantly returned. The Union, to avoid capture or destruction, continued her flight The Huascar repeated the attempt at ramming frequently during the two hours the combat lasted. The Huascar, with her bull riddled, her engines damaged, her turret jammed so that it would not revolre, and only four of her officers unwoundedj hauled down the Peruvian flag and surrendered. The Huascar's gunners who were foreigners, principally English and Scotch— damaged one of the Chilian ironclads considerably. The Huascar carried 210 men all told. Subscriptions have been opened in Lima to purchase a new ironclad. Men are giving mouey, houses, estates and watchea, and women their jewellery, for the purpose. A commission has sailed for Europe to purchase another vessel to replace the Huascar. A combined attack by the Chilian land and tea forces was made on Piaagua, which

was taken after a determined resistance. The bombardment lasted five hours; 500 Peruvians and 300 Chilians were killed and wounded. A despatch from Cabul says that the general belief of the complicity of Yakoob Khan in the massacre of the British Embassy gains strength. The Ameer and his ad-risers, it is thought, did not anticipate such a wholesale massacre, but only a sufficient intimation to induce Sir Louis Cafagnari to report his position in Cabul as untenable Affairs, however, went beyond their control, and the mutineers acted on the principle that "dead men tell no tales." The troops did not mutiny for arrears of pay, but were instigated by their officers working under the connivance of high authorities.