THE MAILS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8066, 23 March 1906, Page 4

THE MAILS

• FRIDAIr MAECH 23. ]' For Australian States at 6.16 a.m., due Sydney March 28th. For Auckland and North per Corinna at: 2 p.m. For Ceylon, India, China, Straits Settlements and Mediterranean ports, ; also United Kingdom and Continent of : Sutope, via Suez. Mail due London ; May 2nd. ■ SATUEDAY.IIAECH 21 For Auckland and North per Takapuna, at 7 p.m. 'lfor Australian States at 7 p.m., due For Ceylon, India, China, Straits Settlements, and Mediterranean ports, also United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, via Suez, at 7 p.m. Due Lou■'don May sth Parcel mail for United Kingdom and Coutinent of Europe, per Corinthic, closos at Wellington March 29th. Mails for Lord Howe, Norfolk, New , Hebrides, and Banks Islands, via Syd. ney, ibse at Auckland on Monday, 26th March, at 4.15 p.m. Mails for Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji, per Hauroto, close at Auckland on April 3rd, at 12.45 p.m. Mails for South Africa, per Marathon, close at Melbourne on April 12th. Note. —There will be no mails received from or despatched to Auckland on Friday, the 23rd Marcn. W. 3. Chaset, Acting Chief Postmaster.

The Death of the Spies. ? A dramatic story of Japanese courage in ] fte present war is published in I,e Petit Temps, of Paris, coming from a correspon- ' dent to whom it was related by a Russian 1 sailor, who Bays he was a witness of the event. It concerns the execution of two Japanese army officers whom a Russian court martial hail condemned as spies and (sentenced to death. " When the trial he»a», n says the narrator, "the accused oflicrs gave their names without hesitation. ' Tehomo Jokoka, forty four years of age, colonel of the genera! staff, graduated with honors from the 'Military High Seiuol at Jeddo,' said the elder of the prisoners, i short, stout man with a fitrong face. • " 1 Teisko Jokki, thirty-one years, eaptaiv attached to Uie general staff,' said his coin panion, who was taller and more slender ir. T figure than the other, with angular fail ures j and a dark complexion, casting a slightly ; disdainful glance around the courtroom, j 'Buddhist,' he added after a moment's silence. " 1 And you, colonel,' asked the president of thocouncil; 4 you arc of the same religion as your fellow prisoner ?" " • No. president; lam a Christian/ Ancobserving the astonishment produced on cverj one by his declaration, he hastened to add f , " ' But lain a true Japanese, born of Japanese parents. Only in my youth I war captivated by the gentle teachings of Christ, and I became a convert to Luthuranisui.' 44 When the verdict of guilty was announced and the death penally prtsciibod, the condemned oflicers wero unmoved. The sentence was approved by General Kuropatkin, but to spare the feelings of the victims, he ordered that they should be shot instead of hanged. When the general's order was | read Colonel Jokoka merely said,' It is well; | lam ready.* The captain said nothing, but ! his face wore an expression of haughty ini difference. Colonel Jokoka asked permission I to write to his family ; then he embraced the captain. "'I die more tranquil than you, colonel, said the latter. " 4 Why do you say that ?' 44 4 1 have fullilled my duty to my country jv.id to the Deity. You base done yours to your country only.' " ' What do you mean, captain V 44 ' I have reflected a good deal on what you have said to me about Christianity. Von arc always vaunting its superiority. Well. I think you are not in accord with Christ, while I have nothing to reproach myself with.' Perhaps you are right, captain. And I, I have a favor to ask of you. Givenu your authorisation to perform the fiiM truh Christian act which it has been given me h perform during my life. You know 1 have i number of Chinese bank notes, to the valu> in all of about one thousand Russian rubles Well, I desire to send this money to tin commandant, to be given to the Bosnian Ret Cross for the pbor wounded anions om euemic3. Do you consent to this gift?' Jokki reflected on instant. " 4 1 have always had a great affect'on fo you, Colonel, and if it will give yon pleasure [ am quite willing that you should give thi> money to our enemies.' 41 When the commandant came for tin prisoners, Colonel Jokoka gave biiu a hundh of white bank notes wii.li red signs, saying: " * There are here aboi;t 10U0 rubi< s, anc we beg .you to give them to the Russian Bee Cross." " 'But would it not be belter for mo tr send this money to your families?' ,4 'Oh, no,' cried both the condemned men together. 'The Mikado will not forget our wives and children.' " 4 Do not refuse us this satisfaction,' caii Jokoka. 'Distribute tins money among th. "Thecommandant again urged the officer to let all they should leave behind them lu sent to Japr.n. 44 Jokoka appeared it hesitate for a mo went; be looked at his companion in misfortune, who reiterated hi 3 desire lo mak •his compensation for the evil lie had don on this earth, and the captain belli his hen in acquiescence with the wish of his brothe in arms. "The Russian commandant yielded, am asked the two Japanese if there was anythin, in which he eould be of service to them. 14 ; I should like. to haw a bath, if it wevt possible,' said the Buddhist; 'after that w< shall be at your orders.' "A bathroom being an object of luxury unknown at Harbin, the commandant cause* tubs of water to be. brought and ordered tin sentinels to go to one side, so that rhe un fortunate men might be able to perform iheii ablutions at their ease. "The want of'a bath tub was felt muck more keenly by the, Buddhist than by tin Christian colonel, whose doire was to see : priest before going lo execution. AV then was no Lutheran pastor, the chaplain of th regiment was sent to him. The coiont begged the priest to read If) him-the Serinoi on the Mount. The chaplain read in Slav and Jokki followed the text in his JapanesBible, which they had left him in prison. When they came to the words: ' l:'nrify« love (heni which love you, what reward havi yc? And if ye salute yonr brethren only what do yc more than others?' he close< the book, folded his hands and cast down hi eyes for a moment while his lips moved. "'Jokoka.,' he said, 4 you arc right; yoi. will die mors tranquilly than I, fori have never felt more keenly than now how littk in accordance my life has been with the teachings of Jesus.' '" The two Japanese oflicers arrived at the place of execution, impassive as ever. Still, it could be seen that the colonel was a prey to painful reflection. "Both of them lighted cigarettes and asked that they should not be bound to thestakes. The commandant took two handkerchiefs from his pocket and handed them to the Japanese officers. "The colonel bound his eyes himself; Jokoka disdainfully refused to do so, saying he desired to see how they manoeuvred. " A dozen soldiers were posted in front of the colonel, a dozen others in froiiV of the captain. • 't f ' If you liave pity for these two unhappy . men,' said the commandant to the platoon detailed for the execution, 'aim straight at ■ Ibe heart—death will then b* instantaneous,' •• The soldiers firei" *