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Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 196, 23 August 1904, Page 3

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THE 'SCATTERED 111:rfbiA-N WARSHIPS. LONDON, August 21. 1 A Mukden telegram states that thel cruiser Novik has arrived at Kurakoj vik, in Saghalien, and the Diana at Saigon. Hater advices from other sources assert that the Japanese cruisers Tsushima and Oh'itose pursued the Kovik and engaged her, and after defeating her drove her ashore at Ka- ' rakovik. (Received August 22, 10.40 p.m.) ! LONDON, August 22. Japanese cruisers fought with Die Novik on Saturday and yesterday. The Novik was heavily damaged and stranded and partly sunk. The TsusiJnia was hit in her coal bunkers, but this damage was repaired. No Japanese casualties are reported. BOMBARDING PORT ARTHUR. TERRIBLE CONDITIONS WITHIN THE FORTREBS. I LONDON, August 21. A tremendous bombardment of Port Arthur from land and sea occurred on the 20th. Lnconlirmed reports have been received from Che-foo that the Japanese were repulsed. Captain Hofmann, German Naval attaohe at Port Arthur, has arrived at Ivaio-chau. A Japanese cruisvr picked Jiim up from a junk 30 miles from Port Arthur. Refugees state that there are over 20u0 wounded lying in Port Arthur and many of the public buildings nu\e been converted into hospitals. DETERMINED BESIEGERS. NOTHING WILL DETER THEM FROM THEIR PURPOSE. (heceived August 22, 10.9 p.m.) LONDON, August 22. The Japanese have captured Fort No. 20, live miles north of Golden Hill. 'the Russian garrison of 23,000 men liolds a line twelve miles long. Although Saturday's- attack, wherein Japanese Guard participated, was unsuccessful, it was continued on Saturday night and yesterday. It is stated that tije momentary check docs not alfect the Japanese plans. Contemplating a three days' assault the Japanese commander is able to maintain an assaulting column's strtngth at 0000 throughout. If this fails a long siege will follow. (Received August 22, 10.40 p.m.) LONDON, August 22. General Stoessel, commander of the Port Arthur garrison, reports that the Japanese, after a two days' attack among tho Mountains at Louiss.a Bay, were repulsed, losing heavily SITUATION AT SHANGHAI. EXCITING DEMONSTRATIONS BY WARSHIPS. (Received August 22, 10.9 p.m.) LONDON, August 22. There are at present at Shanghai one German, two British, four .trench, and eight American warships. Permission to repair the boilers of the Askold was refused. The Japanese declare that the Askold and the Grosovoi are seaworthy, and are only seeking to gain time and increase their fighting capacity. The Taotai on Saturday nolilied the Russians that unless the vessels were disarmed China would disarm them, detaining the crews throughout the war. The Russian Consul flatly refused to disarm the warships or order them to leave port. Great excitement prevailed yesterday when a Japanese torpedo-boat, passing; Woo-sung, proceeded under full steam to Shanghai. The United States torpedo-boat destroyer Ohancey, slipping her cable, followed and cleared tor action. Reaching the port the torpedo-boat anchored outside the cosmopolitan dock, and the Chancey took up a berth between the torpedo-boat and the AsHold. CHINA'S IMPOTENCY. UNITED STATES CONSUL TAKES STAND, (Received August 22, 10.40 p.m.) LONDON, August 22. The Taotai telegraphed for a Chinese cruiser, but was informed by Mr J. Goodnow, United States Con ; eul, as senior Consul, that China was unable to protect the settlement, adding : " Russia ignores her orders, and China is powerless."

Mr Goodnow has summoned the Consuls to co-operate in protecting foreign interests. The Standard Oil Trust, whose godowns (stores) adjoin the cosmopolitan dock, which is British property, baa domanded United States protection. Two American destroyers have been ordered to be in readiness to protect the neutrality of Shanghai. Two Japanese cruisers and a battleship were sighted 60 miles from Woosung, and a steamer has reported seeing the Japanese squadron, without lights, at Ontzlatf Island. VARIOUS ITEMS. LONDON, August 21. Tho Russians are retreating towards Mukden. The Japanese occupied Anahanghtu on tho 19th. The Beilin Tagoblatt states that General Kumpatkin has dismissed General Stackelberg. Tho Germans liave sent a hundred men fifto'ii miles east of Kiaochau to pi-event tiho Japanese erecting wireless stations. Tho volunteer fleet transports lying at Sebastopol have returned to Odessa. This is interpreted to mean that the Baltic squadron will not sail. Mr W, Martin, American Consul at Nan-kin, on arrival at San Francisco, stated that Japanese officers wore drilling an immense body of soldiers in Central Cnana, and that these soldiers were armed with mausers. Ho also stated that China is purchasing modern machine guns.