May 30, 1904.]
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Many Hongkong people will remember W. Muskett, late of Watson's, who was a well- known writer in the newspapers over the pen name of Ionic." When he died some three years ago a movement was set afoot to erect a stone over his grave. Mr. N. K. Davidson took the responsibility of seeing the scheme through, and it has now been consummated by the erec- tion of a memorial-stone over the deceased's remains at Happy Valley.
A local naturalist writes to me:-The other night as I was walking up Zetland Street I saw two toads. Watching them for some time I observed them to jump into a crevice in the great stone wall, where, no doubt, they have made a little house. In the summer they must get rather dry, but. perhaps, during their nocturnal wanderings they absorb sufficient moisture from the atmosphere. We have heard of toads hopping out of solid stone when broken; but I believe there is no foundation for such tales. These ancient, queer-looking inhabitants may often be heard croaking about Ice House Street at night-time.
Constable John Godfrey, a familiar figure for many years at the Magistracy, left for home by the English mail on Saturday after 15 years' service in the Hongkong Police. He was as popular as he was well known. Many years ago, while he was stationed at Stanley, there was a report that a tiger had been committing depredations in that neighbourhood. Searching for the animal, P.C. Godfrey had the misfor- tune to trip over a tussock. with the result that his carbine went off and the shot passed through his right wrist, permanently injuring the limb.
THE WAR.
BANYAN.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
KOBE, 19th May. The Japanese battleship Hatsuse on the 15th inst. struck a Russian mine off Port Arthur and sank in thirty minutes. About 300 men were saved by the Japanese fleet.
The Japanese cruiser Yoshino was sunk in collision with the cruiser Kasuga off the promontory of Shantung on the 15th inst. also.
About 90 of her crew were saved.
LONDON, 20th May. A Russian official despatch announces that Newchwang has been captured by the Japa-
nese.
The gun-vessel Sivouich was destroy- ed by the Russians previously.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
JAPANESE OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.
has sent us copies of the following official tele- Mr. M. Noma, Japanese Consul at Hongkong. grams received by him from Tokyo:-
++
TOKYO, 19th May. 11.5 p.m.
397
I covered trenches around forts of Nanshan and offered a stubborn resistance under the strong defence works. Nevertheless, after several attempts we finally succeeded in taking the enemy's position by storm, driving the enemy tinued sixteen hours. towards Nankwanling. This severe fight con-
squadron was returning from Port Arthur in ** Admiral Togo reports that, while the third the deep fog, the Yoshino was struck by the Admiral Togo telegraphs that the captain Kasuga off Shantung promontory on the 15th commanding the detached fleet, consisting of instant and sunk; ninety of the crew were four gunboats and the torpedo flotilla, reports saved. Ou the same day, when the Halsuse was ten miles south-east off Laotishan with other Kinchow Bay, and co-operating with our army by wireless telegraphy that the fleet reached
cal mines and sunk; just then the Russian flotilla, witnessing our army occupy Nanshan forts vessels, she was struck by the enemy's mechani-bombarded Nanshan on the 26th May, and upon consisting of sixteen torpedo-boat destroyers, withdrew. approached, but was repulsed by our cruisers,
The captain of the Chokai was which saved 300 of the lotuse's crew, including Damage done to our ships was insignificant.
killed, and there were nine other casualties. Rear-Admiral Nashiba and Captain Nakao."
TOKYO, 20th May, 5 p.m.
· Rear-Admiral Masamichi Togo reports that on the 15th inst. our fleet, consisting of four cruisers, three gunboats, and the torpeto flotilla, after successfully repelling the enemy's destroyers which emerged from Port Arthur at the time of the Hat se disaster and rescning and reconnoitered along the Kaichow Pro- the drowning crew, proceeded to Pichili Gulf montory. On the 16th inst. we discovercda part of the enemy ashore, and fired upon them, and Kaichow Gulf and bombarded the enemy's they fled.
On the 17th inst. we penetrated the railway, bridges, and military
edifices, the trains.
1.
TOKYO, 20th May. 5.20 p.m. landing at Takushan on the 17th inst.
A portion of our army commenced
The
TOKYO, May 20th. 12.40 p.m.
Tokyo, 28th May, 2.10 p.m. The commander of our army attacking Kin. chow reports that a detachment consisting of infantry. artillery, and engineers occupied Nankwanling on the morning of the 27th instant. The enemy was driven towards Port Arthur, burning the railway station at San- shihlipao, north-west of Dalny. On the 26th things. The enemy left 400 dead. we captured fifty guns, besides many other casualties are estimated at 3,000.
which participated in the fight resistance. enemy near Kinchow on the 16th instant consisted of the 5th, the 14th, and 16th Sharpshooter Infan- try Regiments with eight quickfirers. They left on the field thirty dead officers and men. According to the prisoners' statements, the enemy's casualties were above 300.”
t
1
Our
menced at 2.35 am.
Tokyo, 28th May, 6.45 p.m. The attick on the enemy at Nanshan com. works were nearly of a permanent nature, their The en my's defensive artillery consisting of 50 guns of various calibre and two quick-firing field artillery companies. The infantry, ranged in two or three lines of covered trenches with loopholes and set machine. guos at important points, offered stubborn the forts. The enemy's principal artillery was We ranged Il our field-guns upon silenced at 11 a.m., while the quick-firers, prev- ionsly retired to Nankwanling, fired till night. Our artillery concentrated fire upon the enemy's trenches. C' infintry advancing within 41 to 500 metres of the enemy, but TOKYO. 21st May. 2.55 p.m. Admiral Togo reports that the gunboat
wire entanglements, mines, and trouches lay squadron with the destroyer and the torpedo-machine-guus remained unabited. We ap
before us. and the enemy's infantry fio and boat flotillas approached Port Arthur on the proached 200 metres farther towards the enemy, 20th instant for reconnoitring, which was suc- cessfully effected with little damage, despite officers and men all falling when 20 or 30 metres several charges still proving unsuccessful, our the hot crossfire from the enemy's firts; no
from the enemy.
Our artillery then prepared for firing, and in the evening. with the most severa cannonadiug, the last charge was made. through which we gained the whole height With great difficulty we opened the breach and expelled the enemy, capturing all their guns on the forts. The fortunate incident. of this attack was the discovery of a mine, attached to a wire. at the eastern fo.it of Naushan. We cut the wire and explosion was prevented.
casualties for our side."
་་
p.mi.
TOKYO, 21st May, 1035 "A company of the enemy appeared six miles north of Takushan and was surrounded by our infantry. They fled with many casual- ties. A Russian captain was taken prisoner. There was no casualty for our side."
The Russians admit that all communica- tion with Port Arthur is now broken off.
It is reported that the Russian retreat on Harbin has been prevented by the inter-casualties." position of a Japanese force.
KOBE, 21st May. The Russian cruiser Bogatyr stranded at the entrance to Vladivostock in a fog and sank.
LONDON, 22nd May. The Standard reports that wholesale executions, without any preliminary trials, bave been taking place at Warsaw. No less than 600 people have been hanged.
Many executions have also taken place at Moscow and Cronstadt, the Standard says.
KOBE, 23rd May. Admiral Skrydloff has arrived at Vladi- Tostock.
LONDON, 24th May. Admiral Skrydloff and M. Bezobrazoff have arrived at Vladivostock on Sunday. KOBE, 25th May. The Japanese Navy Department has been informed that the battleship Orel has been stranded and wrecked. The place is not stated.
LONDON, 26th May.
The cruiser Bogatyr, which was reported wrecked at Vladivostock has now been des. troyed by the Russians., The Baltic battle. ship Orel has been saved.
TOKYO, 24th May, 6.40 p.m. "General Kuroki reports that on the 21st iast, ous section of our infantry encountered 200 of the enemy's cavalry, sight miles north- west of Knanti-n. The enemy fled north-east leaving 20 dead. There were
no Japanese TOKYO. 27th May, 3.45 p.m. "The Commander of our Army attacking Kin- chow reports as
follows:-On the 21st May ed that the enemy had at Nanshan Hill, south observation and the enemy's cannonading show. of Kinchow, four 15-centimetre shrapnel guns, ten 9 to 15-centimetre cannons (10.5 centimetre shells proved the range to be 8,500 metres), and two 12-centimetre quickfirers, besides at least ten forts. At the foot of the hill were wire nett- ing and mines.
operations as prearranged.
"On the 22nd our attacking force commenced
On the 23rd a reconnaissance discovered the enemy's right wing on Huashangtao with about eight heavy guns facing the sea. of the enemy's shells showed 20-centimetre Fragments guns. 15-centimetre short cannons, 10.5 and 8-centimetre cannons, and 7-centimetre quick-
firers.
Small bodies of infantry and artillery were observable staying at Kinchow.
"On the 25th at morning we attacked Kinchow, engaging the enemy's artillery at Nanshan.
On the 26th at dawn we commenced can- nonading lasting five hours, while three Japanese warships assisted from Kinchow Bay. A Russian ganboat attacked our left wing from Talienwan. We took Kinchow at 5.30 a.m. and after a severe fight occupied Nanshan pursuing the enemy."
We are
Tokyo, 27th May, 6.35 p.m. The detailed report of the attack at Kin- chow is as follows:-The enemy built several
SHANGHAI TELEGRAMS.
News:-
We take the following from the N.C. Daily
*<
Peking, 19th May.-Rasian troops are being increased in the neighbourhood of Fuku- men, while they are being withdrawn from Kaopangizse. The reason put forward is that the bandits must be put down, but military authorities explain that the real intention a to strengthen the defence of Tiehling. Great quantities of food and stores are being conveyed by train to Kaiyuan, where the Russians are establishing a defensive point, from Liaoyang
and Moukden."
*
[Kaopangtze is the junction of the Hsiumin- tuu railway with the Newchang line. Kaiyuan and Tieling are on the Manchurian railway north of Moukden, and they are the base points of a triangle of which Fukumen is the sper.]
Peking, 19th May.he Ru sian troops which re-entered Newchwing were despatched for Kaiping. Befo e yesterday there were at Kaiping about 10,000 Russian troops concen- trated to bold the Japanese for a time while preparations can be made for the defence of Liaoyang."
"Tokyo, 19th May.-It is reported that the ohwang, on the 16th inst, the Russians fleeing Japanese occupied Kaiping, south of New-
in the direction of Tashihohiso."
“Weihaiwei, 19th May.-H.M. sloop Espiègle left he e to-day for Newchwang to protect British interests."
51
32
Peking. 19th May.-The Russo-ChinesO Bank has closed its branch at Monkden."