}
February 27, 1904.]
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. who had laid them. A Russian officer told the took the ship's papers ashore. At six o'clock a Pleiades officer that he was "afraid the news Russian sentry was sent on board and remained was true." The Pleiades reported that she was till the following evening, the ship remaining discharging her cargo of flour when the bom-anchored meantime. bardment took place and that the coolies all left after discharging a few bags. She brought the rest of her cargo to Chefoo. The British str. Foxton Hall was also there with cargo of Welsh coal (4,000 tons) and could not discharge it. The captain asked to be allowed to leave the port but the Port Admiral refused to allow the ship to leave and told him he had better take his crew and leave at the first opportunity on another vessel. He took the advice and left on the Norwegian str. Ariel, leaving his ship and coal in the hands of the Russian authorities.
In most cases the Russian authorities de. mand a written affirmation from masters of vessels that they will not divulge anything as to the state of affairs in Port Arthur.
EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES OF THE
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HSIPING.
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We also take the following from the N.-.C Daily News:-
When the sentry was relieved at seven o'clock on the evening of the 12th, Captain Macfarlane his ship by force majeure to the Captain of the sent by him a protest against the detention of port representing the Russian Government. On the morning of the 13th at ten o'clock the captain WAS visited by Mr. Walde- mar Marc, assistant to the Dalny Port com- missioner, accompanied by Mr. Edward Soper, acting as interpreter. Mr. Marc stated that owing to the mines that had been placed in the harbour it was impossible for the Haiping to leave. Captain Macfarlane represented to him that it was an impolitic proceding to have sent
four merchant steamers to a harbour that was
JAPANESE OFFICIAL NEWS.
161
The Japanese Consul kindly informed us on the 23rd inst, that he had on the previous evening received the following official telegram:-
Tokyo, 22nd Feb., 4.02 p.m. "The crew and passengers of the steamer Nagoura Maru (with the exeption of two who were drowned) which was sunk by four Russian cruisers off the coast at Tsugaru, were picked up by the Russians and conducted to Vladivostock, The Russian authorities in that port have sent them back to Nagasaki on a German steamer, They arrived at that port on the 22nd inst."
This is practically identical with our message published yesterday morning.
FROM NORTHERN SOURCES. The following items are taken from various northern sources:---
Great Britain is about to appoint, following the example of the United States, Consuls for Mukden and Antang.
When the Russians withdrew their troops from Shanhaikwan, the French did not occupy the place itself in their stead, but only took over
the Post Office.
The Japanese Government and people were ndignant at the Russians bombarding a harm- less commercial steamer (the Nakonoura Maru)
off Hokkaido,
The Kaiser has signed an order whereby all free beds in the German Naval Hospital in Yokohama and the Tsingtao Hospital are put at the disposal of the wounded, both of Russia and Japan.
With the consent of Japan, the German officers, Major Foerster and Captain Hoffmann, have left for the East to follow the Japanese
mined. Mr. Marc replied that half an hour before the siping's arrival, & Russian vessel which had boon laying the mines had been blown up, with great loss of life, by one of her own mines; that there were only two men who knew the position of the mines; The Chinese Engineering and Mining Com-that these were the captain and officer of the pany's steamers are unlucky. When the vessel destroyed; and that they had been killed. Fuping was fired upon, as she was leaving Unless therefore there was a copy of the plan Port Arthur, the affair was described by the for mining at Port Arthur, is was impossible to Russians as a mistake. Now another of their know where the mines were, and therefore the vessels, the Haiping, has had an experience, Hsiping could not be allowed to leave not so disastrous fortunately, but quite as until the mines were relaid. Captain Mac. remarkable. Fired at four times without cause
farlane remarked that a small Russian vessel or warning ordered into Daluy over mines
was cruising all this time at the entrance of the newly-laid and of uncertain location, and harbour, and was told in reply that that boat detained there without justification for four only drew six feet of water. days, it is no wonder that Captain Macfarlane has filed a strong protest with the authorities of the Russian port. By permission of Captain Macfarlane we give what is practically a transcription from his log of an eventful passage. The Heiping left Chinwangtao on the 19th February just after midnight, bound for Shanghai. She experienced a bead gale and very high sea, and the vessel laboured beavily, shipping large quantities of water, At 6,30 a.m. it was found that the tarpaulin of No. 4 hold had been washed off by the sea and that water had got into the 'tween decks. The gale continued and the sea was running very high. Captain Macfarlane decided therefore to run into Port Arthur roads for shelter. He passed the ship at Port Arthur or for her being sent by the side of the other. the Liautishan Promontory and lighthouse about noon on the same day, and saw a large Russian cruiser, cruising off and on the light
house. The cruiser turned and escorted the
Haiping into the roads. At a quarter-past one, when the Hsiping arrived at the anchorage, a Russian cruiser at anchor fired a shot at her, and shortly afterwards (not before) hoisted the signal "anchor instantly." The direction was followed, as soon as possible. At a quarter-past four the weather baving moderated, and the hatches having been taken off to see that all was right below, the Heiping weighed and proceeded for Shanghai. She had gone about a mile or so away from the
Captain Macfarlane then complained of the risk to which he and his ressel had been
that
exposed in being sent to enter Dainy without the vessel which a pilot, and was told that it was believed bad been accidentally blown пр
would otherwise bare piloted them iD. He also pointed out the destroyed or captured should the Japanese ship ran the risk of being
would be such a danger. On requesting to be attack Dalny, and Mr. Soper admitted there allowed to take his ship further in, Captain Macfarlane was told that might be permitted, He represented farther that no inquiries bad been made or reason given for the detention of to Dalny; also that he had been exposed to heavy firing from the batteries at Port Arthur on the night of the 10th February. Capt. Macfarlane also told the interpreter that he was not aware of any reason for his ship's arrest, as when he Russian steamers loading coal there had Japa left Chinwangtao there was no news of war and
nese firemen on board. He (the Captain) wished to communicate with his consul or with his
owners by telegraph. This, he was told, might be allowed, as permission was given to respect- able Europeans to go ashore; the cost of supplies to the ship would also be allowed by the Rus- reason alleged why the ship should not be allowed to leave Dalny by the way
siaus. Опе
army.
Tokyo Bay. Incoming ships have to stop, before passing this line, at the Chiogaki-Kokubo Peninsula; they have to signal for a pilot and then to wait for instructions to be given by a Japanese ship flying a flag, which is white has also been created in the entrance to Nagasaki. above and red below. A naval defence district
the Yoshima light and to wait for orders from Incoming ships have to stop one mile north of the guardship, which is flying during the day the national flag on the top of the mast, and showing during the night two white lights, one
A naval defence line has been created in
THE CHEMULPO FIGHT.
ing despatch dated Chemulpo, 13th February The Ostasiatische Lloyd publishes the follow- (by wire from Chefoo, 14th February) :—On the evening of the 8th, the Japanese fleet arrived here with three transports, which landed about rapidly and orderly. 2,000 men. The disembarkment was done very The next morning Admiral Uria ordered the Russian cruisers Varyag and Koreetz to leave the harbour, other- wise he would attack them in the harbour. At 4 o'clock the next afternoon the commanders
of the British cruiser Talbot, the French cruiser
Pascal, and the Italian cruiser Elba handed Admiral Uriu a protest against his action, as
cruiser at anchor when the latter opened fire, it came was that the Japanese would then learn contrary to international law. The commander
and fired three shots. One came towards the the passage, but Captain Macfarlane pointed Heiping's quarter, the second fell astern. By out that had the ship been ordered away from this time the Hsiping had stopped and rounded, but the third shot came and passed over her.
Port Arthur at once and not detained at Daluy, it would have been impossible for the Japanese The Haiping proceeded back. A torpedo-boat destroyer came out from the anchorage and re-
or anyone else to have seen anything. It was, mained by her cleared for action, until Captain and to the failure of the authorities there to therefore, due to the mistake at Port Arthur Macfarlane's anchor was let go about half-past, make any enquiries, that the Heiping was detain- five. No signal had been given to prevented and those on board allowed to see and hear the Hsiping leaving until after the shots had been fired, and the vessel was well on her way back to her anchorage.
At 9 p.m. the Hsiping received orders from a torpedo-boat to put out all lights, and this was done. About 11.30 heavy firing was heard from the shore batteries, and also from a small war vessel cruising about, and about midnight the Heiping was hailed by a rowboat and ordered to put out her fires, which was also done.
Next morning at 6 a.m. Captain Macfarlane hoisted a signal, "When can I proceed to sea ?" Two hours later the harbour launch came off and ordered the ship to go to Dalny with the sister steamer Chingping, the German steamer Pronto, and a Russian merchant steamer. The Isiping proceeded to Dalny, still flying the same signal, They arrived outside Dalny at a quarter-past two and anchored inside about a quarter of an hour later. A harbour official came out and
what they had.
The Austrian Consul at Hongkong (Mr. Post) was a passenger on the Haiping and was present during this interview. He also sent in Macfarlane, who is very warm in his grati- a protest by the same messenger as Captain tude to Mr. Post for his assistance and support throughout and his services as an interpreter. Mr. Soper said several times during the inter- view that the detention of the Heiping was due to a mistake,
+
The Haiping was allowed to leave on Tuesday and came direct to Shanghai, where she arrived on the 18th inst. She is not seriously damaged, but it is not quite certain that she was not actually touched by a fragment of one of the shells thrown at her. The German steamer Pronto was said to have suffered more severely from the firing. It appears that the torpedo transport Yenisei lost 98 men, 192 being saved.
to join in the protest. In the meantime the of the American gunboat Vicksburg declined Varyag and Koreetz had left the harbour at noou. They were attacked at a distance of about six miles from Chemulpo by the battleships Asahi and Mikasa, the armoured cruiser Asama, and three other men-of-war. After an engage- ment of fifty minutes the Russians returned to the anchorage. The Varyag was badly damaged, one officer and forty men killed, and four officers and 64 men wounded; since then one officer and eight men of the latter have died. The Koreetz was but very slightly damaged, and there were no wounded. The Japanese losses are the same known: they were said to be none. During afternoon, while the band од
the Italian oruiser Elba was playing the Russian anthem, the Russians blew up the Koreets and Russians burned the steamer Sungari, which sank the Faryag. Later in the evening the
was in barbour. The action of the Russiana has been greatly admired by all here. All wounded and the orews were taken on board of the Talbot, Pascal, and Elba. On the 10th Admiral Uriu demanded that they be given up to him. This was refused decidedly by all three commanders.
THE RUSSIAN BEFUGEES,
H.M.S. Amphitrite has arrived from the North, bringing down the Russians who took