RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 190, 16 August 1904, Page 3

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

. VLADIVOSTOK SQUADRON IN P- TROUBLE.

SHIPS REPORTED DAMAGED.

LONDON, August 14. Later reports regarding Admiral Togo's attack on the Vladivostok squadron state that the Rossia and Promoboi were severely damaged, but escaped north, but that the Rurik was sunk. THE PORT ARTHUR FLEET. SEVERAL WARSHIPS IN A BAD WAY. LONDON, August 14. Reuter's Agency reports that the Cruisers Askold and Gromoboi have arrived at Shanghai. The Askold claims the right to remain, on the ground that she is unseaworthy. The Russian destroyer Boorni was beached and blown, up south of Shantung Promontory. The crew gralked to Wei-hai-wei,, Admiral Withoeft was standing on ithe Cesarevi'tch'9 bridge when a struck him, blowing him to atoms. Hie cruisffr Palladia is reported to have been seriously damaged at Tsing-'tau. German cruisers there ckared for actios, to prevent Russian vessels Jeaving. Other reports state that the Pallada was sunlk. SYDNEY, August 15. The Consul's reports from Admiral Togo state that of six Russian batjUeships engaged in the fight on the (LOth, five are believed to have been Seriously damaged. He also reports that two Russian Hestroyers were stranded 20 miles past of Wei-hai-Rei.

JAPANESE NAVAL CASUALTIES,

(Received August 15, 11 p.m.) LONDON, August 15. , The casualties on board the various Japanese vessels were Mikasa, 4 officers and 29 men Wiled, 6 officers end 29 men severely and four' officers '.(including Prince Kwacho) and 49 'nun ■ slightly injured. Yakumo, 1 .officer and 7 men killed, and 10 men grounded. Nisehin, 7 officers and 9 mm killed, 2 officers iand 15 men jfounded. Kasugia, 10 wounded. lAsagira, two killed. A torpedoboat lost one man killed and eighty

A MUCH SHOT SHIP.

PIERCED BY TWO HUNDRED SHELLS.

(Received August 15, 11 p.m.) LONDON, August 15.

The AskoMj under the oominand of jAdminal Ukhtomsky, accompanied toy a destroyer, was headed ofi at Tfciag-tau by a Japanese cruiser, ana ifcbence proceeded to Wu-susg. She (Was pieiced by two hundred shells and was struck eighty times below the water-d'ine. A large hole was made below the water-tine, and the barbette ait was destroyed, while searchlight and torpedo netting J»ere irreparably damaged. ■ The Askold has commenced repairs In the Cosmopolitan dock at Shanghai. The Japanese demand the disarming 6f the Askold and the destroyer s}roßovod. The latter is berthed alongsiile the Mandjur. It is expected they will disarm. ACCIDENT OR DESIGN? ASPERSION ON CHINESE DIPLOMATIC HONESTY. .(Received August 15, 11.12 p.m.) LONDON, August 15. The Dally Mail reports that a sh-Jl frat found in one of the Reclatelin'S guns after her capture. Dr. Morrison, Times' correspondent, pays the arrival of Russian vessels at Kiaochau did not surprise foreigners in Fekin. It has long been believed that a, secret understanding pxisteU to provide for this contingency. THIS MORNING'S CABLE BUDGET. (Received August 16, 0.36 a.m.) LONDON, August 15. 'Admiral Matuschievitch died of Jraundß at Tsing-tau hospital. He signed a cablegram to the Czar on the 12th reporting himself slightly grounded, and giving an account of the battle. He declared the Japi«esewere composed of three detach- | meats, the first consisting of the battleships Asahi, Mikasa, Fuji, ;Yo4hima, Shikisbima, the armoured cruisers Nisshin and Kasuga, the Secoud-class cruisers Yakumo, Kasagi, Chitose, and Takasago, and the third-class cruisers Akitushima, Idzumi, Matusbima, Itsukushima, and Hashidate, tble battleship Chinyen, and 80 torpedo craft. The Russians manoeuvred to gain a passage through Admiral Togo's line, but tihe Japanese had laid floating mines, rendering an evoiu- - tion of the Russian squadron difficult. At one o'clock, after 40 minutes' lighting, tihe Russians travers-

Ed 'J'ogo'a line towards Shantung. The enemy, following at full .speed, overtook them slowly and fighting waa resumed at live o'clock, und continued some hours without advantage to either side beside Admiral Withoeft's death. The captain of the Cesarevitch was severely woanhad. The Cesarevitch's engines ond steering gear were damaged, and siie was obliged to stop for 40 minutes, fording the others to manoeuvre around her. The command of the squadron devolved on Admiral Ukhtomsky. The Cesarevitch dropped out and was attacked by torpedo boats at nigfut. She arrived in the vicinity of Shantung, her daniaige preventing her from going to Vladivostok. She proceeded to Kiachau for. repairs, and found the N ovik and the destroyer Boznahunni at Tsing-tau. Other accounts state that at our o'clock a shell,which killed Admiral Withoeft also killed the flag officer. The decks were slippery with blood, and the thunder of guns rendered the men almost deaf. Fifteen were killed and 45 wounded. A torpedo broke its rudder shaft, and a gun was disafalcd. The .Japanese demanded that the Cesarevitch should quit, and the Germans promised that she would be dismantled. Two officers, besides Matussevitch, have died. (Received August 10, 1.3 a.m.) LONDON, August 15. Count Lamsdorll has requested France, on behalf of Russia, to strongly protest at Tokio regarding the Rechtelin. Captain Rostchak- . ovski's report declares that in purflusnce of Roar-Admiral Grigoro•vitrh'S orders he disarmed and lowered his flag. All necessary formalities were fulfilled, and thereafter he was piratically attacked. Prince Alexietl> report declares that the Consul at Che-foo reports that while conferring with the Taotai regarding the temporary sojourn of the Hecltitel'in in order to repair her engines, Rostchakovski handed over his breech blocks, guns, and rifles.

Admiral KanVimura's victory was celebrated with enthusiasm in Tokio. The light cruisers engaged include*) the Adzumo, Idzumo, Iwate, and Tafoachio. There was five hours' severe fighting, many of the Ruiik's crew being Killed or drowned, from the Russian press until to-day. (Received August IC, 1.15 a.m.; LONDON, August 15. Nothing is officially known regarding the Pallada, but possibly she Bay be sunk. Boetehakovskl reported to the Czar that he had brought to Chefoo important despatches, after having travtrsod the two blockading lines.

CABLE NEWS.

(United Press Association—By Eleo trie Telegraph Copyright.).

VARIOUS ITEMS. LONDON, August 14. The Japanese have released the steamers Haiping and Peaping, with part of their cargoes. The Mikado has ordered all noncombatants to be allowed to leave Port Arthur.

Several transports leave Libau for the Far East.