RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 142, 20 June 1904, Page 3

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Commerce Destroyers. THE SINKING OF THE lUTASHI MARU. LONDON, June 17. The survivors of the transport Hitashi Maru s»vy they met Admiral Skrydlofl's vessels at seven o'clock in the morning, and stopped in response to a signal. They attempted later on to escape, but the Russians followed and directed their lire at the water line. The tire was terrific for a few minutes, and the decks were covered with corpses. A shell struck the cn- ' glne room, killing many men, and . the ship gradually sank. Earlier in the affair the captain jumped overboard, and has since been missing. The commander of the troops on board ordered the flag to be burned, and then committed suicide. Many members of the crew and some of the troops escaped in the ship's boats. THE SADO MARU'S EXPERIENCE LONDON, Juno 17. The Sado Maru was badly damaged, and partly burned, but the officers managed to beach the vessel at the Oki Shiina Islands. (Received June 19, 10.9 a.m.) LONDON, June 18. Tho steamer Isa Maru has brought to Rokuren additional Sado Maru survivors. IN CHASE OF THE RUSSIANS. LONDON, June 17. It is officially announced that Ad-i miral Kaniimura has been pursuing the Russians since the morning of the 15th. A. Reuter message says that rain and fog still favour Admiral Skrvdloff. (Received June 19, 10.9 a.m.) LONDON, June 18. Admiral Skrydloff's squadron was sighted off Oki SMma on the 16th. A. BOLD ATTEMPT TO GET EASTWARD. (Received June 20, 0.24 a.m.) LONDON, June 19. Reports received from Tokio stat« that Admiral Skrydlofl's fleet was sighted, early on Sunday morning, at the western entrance to the Tsugaru Strait, between tho main Japanese. Islands of Hondo and Yezo. and five hundred miles north of Oki Shinia, THE SLAUGHTER ON THE HITASHI MARU. SHRAPNEL AT HALF A CABLE'S LENGTH, LONDON, June 19. It is said that the Russian cruisers Rossi a and Rank surprised the transport Hitashi Maru in a' dense fog off Oki Noshima. They fired twenty-one shots at a range of seven hundred yards, wounding many among thoso on board the Japanese ship. Finding that she. did not sink the warships fired sixty shots at a range of four hundred yards, causing the boilers to explode, and setting Are to the vessel. The Japanese colours and official papers were burned. Colonel Suchi, commanding th» troops on board, was killed by a shell, while other officers and many of the soldiers committed suicide or

'Jumped overboard. Finally, approaching to within a hundred and fifty yards of the doomed vessel, the Hussions fired shrapnel tipon the crowded decks, sinking the ships and all on board. r A shell beheaded the chief mate—an Englishman—while he was standing on the bridge, the dead body remaining upright. SADO MAHU'S DESTRUCTION NOT COMPLETED. WOULD-BE SUICIDES CHANGE THEIR-MINDS. LONDON, June 19. After being damaged by a torpedo the Sado Maru was hit repeatedly by shells, and her machinery disabled. Six hundred and ten noreCombatanta were allowed to leave the ship, but their ultimate fate is < unknown. Officers and soldiers who had pre- , pared to commit suicide changed their minds when the Russian cruisers suddenly left the vessel and made off. .Host of the troops eventually reached Oki Shima. The Land Operations. BIE£E OF PORT ARTHUR. LONDON, June 17. '. General Nogi is conducting the Siege of Port Arthur, and General Oku is dealing with General StackelAFTER TELISSA. BTiSSIAN DESPONDENCY AT THK REVERSE. HARRYING THE RETREAT, (Received June 19, 10.9 a.m.) LONDON, June 18. ; The Russian reverse at Telissa has produced extreme depression and consternation in Russia. General Nodzu's force has been sent to Intercept General Stackelberg, and is in touch with the retreating force fifteen miles south oi Ta-chi-chard. A GREAT BATTLE IMMINENT. KUROPATMN'S FORCE. (Received June 20, 0.24 a.m.) LONDON, June 19. Reutcr's agent ut Japanese headjjuarteru reports, via Fusan, the Sooth-eastern port of Korea, that General Kuropatkin is assembling Ma forces at Hai-oheng, midway between Niu-chwang and Liao-yang. It is'expected that a great buttle will be fought there within the month. The Times correspondent reports; that the force at General Kuroputkin's immediate disposal is one hundred thousand men. He expects reinforcements af the rate of twenty thousand monthly. Tiese will come by way of the trans-Sitoriau railway.

Various Items. JAPANESE LOAN. LONDON, June 17. A. second internal loan for Japan baa been covered threefold. AN ATTACK. DELAYED. (Received June 20, 0.24 a.m.) LONDON, June 19. Japanese officers at Che-foo, it is p reported, express fears that the loss of the transports destroyed bv Admiral SkrydlofTs Russian* Ocet "in the Korean Straits will delay the combined land and sea attack on Port Arthur.

CABLE NEWS.

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