LIMITED
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, F-BRUARY 29TH, 1964
and GOLIATH the slinger, is there any reason
prosent position of affairs would have been
to doubt that the result would have been reversed and Russia remained a third-rate the same? We need not descant on the Power. Not content with the victory that
A. S. WATSON & CO., rities in the two stories; the boastful lang of Gozitar, who find afflicted the made of all beholders by the mure bigness of his borly, and the plain, simple faith of the other in the goodness of his cluse-und, it must not be forgotten, the | skill of the trained slinger.
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It is not, however, so much to point out the circumstances under which the skirmish for technically, in the absence of any definite result suve the damage done to certain of the Russian ships, the action at Port Arthur was but a skirmish-proved so disastrons to Russian arins, and Russian prestige, as to indicate its probable effect on the future of the campaign, that we write these lines
Russian
It is notified in the Gazetes that Mr. B. S TELEGRAM S.
Wilks has been authorised to survey the bilers on unlicensed steamers not exceeding sixty toas
was in his hands, CHARLES, who though a Sir John Anderson, K.C.M.G., the new soldier was no general, attempted a mad Governor of the Straits Settlements, hopes to movement on the Ukraine, and left his flank leave Boglawl towards the end of March to exposed. When he had in Peren's opinion take up the duties of his new post,
The appointment is notified in the Gazette of gone far enough the latter attacked him, destroyed his army, and forced CHALLES Mr. E. Hallifax us Acting Captain Superin with a few followers to take refuge in Tur-tendent of Folies on the departure of Capt. F.
W. Lyons on leave of absence, A key. Sweden never recovered the blow. hundred years later NAPOLEON made war equally successfully on Ryssia. Russia, bowever, adopted the same tactics as before; she permitted NAPOLEON to actually occupy Moscow, and then crime bar revenge. world looked on in wonder at the gigantie sacrifices Russia had made, and shook its bead. The result was the ruin of NAPOLEON, and his schonnes of universal dominion.
The
Now of course the seene has shifted, and it Russia who dreams the drain. C
Sub-Lieutemat R. L. Jermain has been pro moted to the rank of Lieutenant in His Majesty's Fleet, fer services during the operations in a orth
China in 1900,
Goverument stated that the immediate reinforce ment of the anxiliary squadron in the Dach Indies was engaging its attention.
It is report d at Toroute that the Imperial authorities are contemplating transferring the Earl of Minto to India to succeed Lord Curzon as Vicorey, and promoting the Earl of Dun-
"DAILY PRESS" SERVICE.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.]
THE
THE WAR
ATT.MPTED BLOCKING OF PORT ARTHUR.
KOBE, 26th Feb., 12.5 pm.
The S. Petersburg report of the sinking of four Japanese battleships
defenders. One or two small vessels which the Japanese intended to use in blocking the harbour mouth were sunk by fire from the Russian forts before their purpose had been
6.35 pm.
effected.
The appointments are notition in the Gazette of Capt. L. A. W. Barues-Lawrence, R.N., to to anfficial Member of the Legislative Council. in Japan. It appears, however, that Harbour-master, etc., in this Colony; and to boat Port Arthur is wholly discredited Mr. Donald Macgregor, deputy foremen in the Japanese plan of attack on the the Temperate House, Royal Gardens, Howth instant was frustrated by the There is little doubt that the first idea of the Russians was that the war was to be, in
Surrey, has been appointed superintendent of the mais, on their side offensive; but theious that she was marked out as the next the Parks and Open Spaces at Shanghai, circmastance of having the two ports victim for Russia's ambition, Japan has
In is reply last month to the report of a Vladivostock and Port Arthur endangered declared war; but here the resemblance committee of the First Chamber of the Dutch
soujewhat disconcerted ut the outset.
ends. Japan certainly has no object of in-States-General on the naval estimates, the their operations. The
com-vad ng Russia; she sceke no aggrandisament mander was evidently unsettles in his of poirer or territory; her aims are ter- mind as to which to make his basis of inated by hor desire to be let alone. The operations, and divided his flect between giant was preparing with his weaver's beam to strike his small aiversary to the ground; the two. Seeing at the last moment the
of but the youth, taking advantage ereor, he attempted to unite the two
the momentary neglect of his guard, ad- squadrons, but the Japanese al once inter- posed their fleet between the two separated ministered a painful and damaging blow, divisions. As an offensive post Port Prudence or less than ordinary self-respect Arthur, as long as the Power holding it would have recommended silence; but Russia, has command of the sea, must continue to like an underbred cur, at once commenced be of supreme importance in any Power in to howl, much to the disgust of the onlookers, hostility with Japan; and this was evident who from the previous GOLIATH-like bonst- ly thoroughly understood by the Japanese ings of the giant, at least expected a good commanders, who conceived the bold design fight of so far weakening its resources as to foolish; for in her rage she bus exposed her In this the own methods; and it is noteworthy that they reduce its offensive power.
are the same identically as those which mor *uccessful Japanese admiral was
twice before, under very different circum- evidently than he had any reason to expect.
stances, and when she was a comparatively
But Russia has been even more
donald from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Militia to the Governor-General. ship of the Dominion.
The Corean Minister at Washington called at the State Department on the 25th ultimo and
gavo assurancee for the protection of American of recall and of the decution of the noutrality interests, at the same lima lending in his latters of Cores as between Russia and Japan. The recall is said to be das to the desire of Corea to hare the advice at Fooal of a diplomatist versed in American id-08.
Writing last month, a kome contemporary
The Russian admiral also saw this very insignificant Power, stood her indeed in said;-The ramours as to the despatch of a evident position, and meting
his
A. S. WATSON & CO. in the hope of meeting one of the Japanese
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considerable naval reinforcement to the China
the Mediterracesu-are cortainly premature. Beyond the Illustrious, which has for some weeks past been held in readiness to leave should ocasion demand, nothing is contemplated
good stead. Russia's groad for territory knowledge set his fleet in motion, apparentlyed her in 1860 to take advantage of China's Station-three battleships ant a cruiser from weakness to seize in no very credible manner the sea-coast of Manchuria, and there, proud of her achievement, she es tablished! the apparent stronghold of Vladivostock, which she has ever since
squadrons, and being able to inflict on it serious damage, or even to capture or put out of action so many ships as to give a pre- ponderance to the Russian Port Arthur
'There are now in the harbour five British
The vessels sunk at Port Arthur were the transport-steamers Winsen-, Tenshin-, Hokuku-, and Bushin-maru. They were scuttled purposely by the Japanese in order to block the
escaped. entrance to the harbour. Their crews
[The above detaile correspond fairly closely with the Japaness official recounts in another column, though the names of the ships are differently spelt.--ED. D.E].
THE FOURTH TEST MATCU.
LOW SCORING. LONDON, 27th February, 10.25 a.m. The first inaings of England at Sydney concluded for 249, the three outstanding wickets adding 42. Knight was top scorer
THE WAR.
- PINEHE OFFICIAL REPORT ON
FORT ARTHUR, Mr. Masaichi Noma, Japanese Consul in Hongkong, on Saturday forwarded to us copies of the tollowing offeinl telegrams, which ho received that day-
Tokyo, 28th February. 4.20 p.m.--Shortly bofors daybreak on the 24th instant, our torpedo flotilla esported three or four old merchant vs to Fort Arthur, where they were to be sunk for the purpose of blocking all ingress, The reasols wors successfully scufiled and foundered in the pare. All the cflicses nad crona wawe brought back safely. Although no official confirmation has been received from Admiral Togo, it is cortain that our fleet
sustained no damage."
Tokyo, 27th Febranry, 1.55 a.m.--Accord ing to a report received on the 26th instant
from Vice-Admiral Kumisura, who is in coœ- mand of a detached squadrop, our torpedo flotilla, which accompanied the old steamers cont to block the past at Port Arthur, reports that the Hokehu-marn was suck just nuder the lighthouse to the left of the entrance of the part; the Bushumarusettled down just outside of hor. The Tanelite maru, Buyo-martiaud Jinsen- marz were sunk in like manner to the eastward
of these steamers all escaped in safety, and our of Laotiashan and at the entrance. The orewa destroyers and torpedo fotilla returned without having suffered any damage. This took place in the early morning of the 24th instant.
"On the same sight, our fleet of destroyers were deepatbed to Port Arthur, Talienwan
ships, and on attack was made on the Russian Bay, and Pigeon Bay in search of the carmy's vessels. On the morning of the 25th, our main
ships and forts at Port Arthur. The Novik,
opened fire at a long roage on the enemy's
shortly after midday. From this it would seem that we have not yet neceeded in blocking up the entrance completely. After the Russian flest had retired our feet advanced and at acked the inner harbiar. A bombardment on the port and forts was kept up for Afteen minutes, and an explosion in the town, created by our shells, was witnessed. Our boats then with- drow.
Askold, and Boyarin fed into the inner harbour
"On the same day our fleet attacked a Russian destroyer and succeded in disabling it near Rootitsuzan, In these engagements no damages were incurred by our vessels and zo vlcers or men were injured. Farther details are expected shortly in Admiral Toga's report "
WHAT MANILA HEARB.
The Manila Uablenews continues to publish -
quadron. Not seeing any apparent signs maintained as a threat against her neigh. battleships, namaly the Albion, Centurion, with 70, not out. The Australians lost five the most astounding inventions as telegrams
bours ou the Pacific.. For a tine Vladivo- stock indeed looked formidable, but with the advance of the offensive power of modern artillery turned out little better than a delusion. Vladivostock in fast is an ideal fortress--for the attacking force; and probably no stronghold in the world offers such a temptation for bombardment by a was the very last of the Powers to aud this strong naval Power. Fortunately Russi
cena, and Vengeance. The cruisers in wickets for 114, Trumper only making 7 by Far Eastern Press Association" We
the harbour are the Blenheim, Gressy, Leviathan, Sirius, and Feurless. The Amphitrite remains at Mixs Bay. In addition to these 11, the des. patch boat Alacrity, the gunboat' Bramble, the surveying ships Rumbler and Waterwitch, the cost-defence skip Hivern, and a few torpedo- destroyers are here. Admiral Nool is due by
the next English Mall steamer.
By the P. & O. 8.5. Chusan on Saturday Mr. W. C. D. Turner, of the Hongkong and Shang
razk.
REUTER'S SERVICE.
THE RECENT ATTA JK ON PORT
ARTHUR...
LONDON, 25th February.
wonder what the Cablenews jeadors do when they want to learn the truth of what is going on in the North. On the 23rd inst, under a heading of 4-inch lettera stating "2,000 Killed!" the Manila journal gave the following tolegram. Beoul, Feb. 22, night.-Bussia has sustained a crushing, appalling defeat in her dongna oa Corea. The entire Russian advance has been met by the Japanese troups and a tremendons battle has been the result. Again the Japanese have been successful, that Russians having been
entire Russian army made off in full retreat, the driven from position after position, almost as fort as the ground was taken, and finally, the
of the enemy, he, probably in order to be in time for the intended festivities on the [31] evening of the 8th February, returned to port, but did not take all his ships into barbour. As we have before remarked, as nation on earth possesses a more thoroughly organised intelligence department than the
It is officially notified that Admiral Alexieff Japanese. The commander of the squadron
has telegraphed that the Japanese re-attacked evidently was able to penetrate the Russian plan of action, but he did more; he had obtained by some means a copy of theut, and no friend was kind enough toni Bauk, Hongkong's most successftal cricketar Russian private code of signals, and point it out to her till she was unwise in the past two seasons. This season indred he Port Arthur at 2.45 on the morning of the 24th apparently had come to learn of the intended enough to prockem it to the world. has gained his right to be called a batsman inst. with toresdo-boats, and endeavoured to
Temporarily checked at Port Arthur. and second to none in the Far East. As his father, block the harbour by sinking four steamers filled | victorious Japanese in hot puranit. The retrent »
the late Major Turner, A.P.D., was also a Boo with combustibles. The Retsisan supported the was almost rent, so complate was the demoralisa- entertainment. He was not slow to turn deprived of the immediate means of carrying cricketer in Hongkong, and his brother is an batteries and destroyed two steamers near the his information to the best advantage, and on from there an aggressive policy, she has Essex county bat, this is not surprising, Mr
entrance. The fire against the torpedo-boats herein was plainly shown the advantagero more originality than to fall back on the Turner goes on a year's leve. He will be wel
was maintained autil dawn, and daylight revealed that DAVID had over GOLIATH. In a word, old expedient of seeking to draw the newcomed back, and bis cricket in England meant-
four steamera destroyed and eight torpedo boats The LONDON OFFICE: 131, FLEET STREET, E.C. while GOLIATH was pluming himself on the enemy to commit the mistake of her former while will be followed with interest.
superiority of his armour, the other had invaders. We reveal now n sebrets, for
steaming towards the Japanese fleet. made up his mind to action, and discarding Japan has shown how much better than the
crews of the steamers took to the boats and some the weapons offered by SAUL, arned him- other she comprehends the possibilities of Russin has declared her self with a solitary sling and staff. Even modern warfare.
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG OFFICE : 11, DEVEUX ROAD C
HONGKONG, 29th February, 1904
THAT the Japanese possessed newer and more suitable fighting ships, those out in the Far East possessed of expert knowleden DAVID seems to have had too much sell intention of leaving both Port Arthur and
have steadily maintained; that the crews were under letter discipline, and the officers in all that concerned their duty afloat were fur abead of their probable Russian adver- saries the same experts, in the face of
Vladivostock and retiring into the heart of the Manchurian wilds, in the full experta
tion that Japan will repeat the mistakes of her predecessors. But is Japan likely to be caught by such very antiquated strategy? We, opine that nothing would suit. Japan's immediate policy better than such a move.
Japan has not entered
on the war with the object of territorial
confidence, for having succeeded in killing his opponent, he had not the means to come. plete the victory by cutting off his head, and had to depend on the enemy's sword for the purpose. It was hardly to be European authorities to the contrary, also expected that a second attack on Port steadily maintained. That the Japanese Arthur would have been equally advaa would fight for their country to the list, tageous. The Japanese did, however, succeed and were second to none in courage and in still further weakening the enemy ; and, promptitude was generally acknowledged. seeing that nothing more remained possible, That they should possess over and above alliedly retired. So ended the first act of theso qualifications & power of concentration very serions drama.
What followed is not less interesting, and though there has as yet resulted no actual naturally expect; and therefore did not look for the second act; and we can begin to form for. The two Japanese attacks on Port some forecast of its aims. We have before Arthur of the 8th and 13th February deserve spoken of the want of initiative in the all the encomiums we have passed; but in Russins chancter. This we showed was the command of the line from the coast to
a
expansion, whatever may be the final result, and probably nothing would suit her better at the moment. At all events, the interest of the onlookers is at the moment centred ou what is to happen in the opening of sured that the next act of the drama will be enacted on the stage of Vladivostock, and its ultimate aim will be the acquirement of
The recently launched craiser Foxburgh em- braces some improvements on the "County case, especially in the matter of armament. Her length is 450 ft. breadth 684 ft., depth 384 ff, tonnage 10,700, speed 22 kaots. In general construction the Rosburgh follows closely on the lines of the cruisers mouth and Cum There were no Bussion losses, borland, built and completed by the same firms.
were drowned. The entrance to the harbour is
A double bottom extends the whole length of the machinery and magazine spaces, Her armour belting extending for250 feet is sixincher main deck is specially strengthened, baring two thick, and four and a half inches forward. The thicknesses of plating fitted. Her armament consists of two 75 breech-leading quick-Bring gans of latest pattern mounted in barbattes,
ten six-inch quick-firing gans in casements, two 12 pounders, twenty-three 3 pounders, two
Maxims, and two submerged torpedo-tubes, There are four boiler rooms. In the aft boller other boiler rooms are Durr boilers, baring room are cylindrical boilers, and in the three
clear. The enemy left in two divisions, pursned by three Russian cruisers, which returned later.
RUSSIA CLAIMS VICTORY.
LONDON, 24th February.
A Russian official despatch states that the Japanese ro-attacked Port Arthur on Thursday morving and were repulsed all along the line.
THE CHEMULFO REFUGEES.
LONDON, 25th February. -Japan bor intimated her willingness to allow the Russian Chemulpo. prisoners, now eu route.
tion of the Muscovites. Two thousand men killed and wounded is regarded us a conservative estimate of the Russian loss on the fuld, while ► the missing have not yet bean counted at all. The Japanese loss is unknowa, but is considered to be much smaller, as the Japanese fought in mora open order and had more artillery fire to back them up in theie furious charges upon the enemy." Either the Cablenews is badly heazed and the Benul representative of the Far Easteru Press Association is-woll, nutrustworthy, or the telegram" is a Frand on the public.
CANTON NOTES.
THE VICEROY.
#
[FROM THE “ CHUNG NOOI BAN PO."] ·
Viceroy Shum is a zan of little pomp, but great at work. For the most part he depreciates
Shortly before ainglorious ostentation. China New Year ho circulated a note amongst his subordinates ordering that no officer, either civil or military, should visit Canton to offer☛ New Year respects to him. Officers in Canton, moreover, were prohibited from spending. money on lands, theatres, and like frivolities. This unusual action most probably gave rise to various rumours to the effact that the
days ago, was dend
and self control, never to be found except in conjunction with the highest mental and intellectual power, was more than we could fighting, the stago is plainly being cleared ↑ Vladivostock; and we feel fairly well as working pressure of 220 lbs, to the square iach. to Ceylon for detention by the British Govern Empres Dowager, who was reported ill some
conspicuously shown in her diplomacy, which was a rare repetition of certain well- worn devices; they had been erainently suc ceesful before, and, thought Russia, that was a sufficiently good reason for trying cartain extent they them again. To a proved successful again in Europe. Even Great Britain at first was deceived into
Harbin,
Lieutenant J. D. Danby, H.K.V.C., has been granted leave of absence for twelve months from the 3rd March.
It is notified in the Gazette that Messrs G. N. Orme and A. G. M. Fletcher, cadets, have paa- god their examinations in Chinese.
THE DALLAS COMPANY.
ment, to return to Russia en parole. Great Britain is now corresponding with Russia with
THE TRANS-BAIKAL LINE.
LONDON, 25th February The Baikal Lake ice-railway is now completed and trains are crossing.
Tho
A FIRE AT TONG-U-LAN, A disastrous Bre broke out in Tong-U-Jan, West Canton, at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 24th inst. It originated in a dyeing establishment in Ha-Chan-Tong Street. flames spread rapidly, there being no hose connection in the vicinity, and wells near by for the most part being dry. On an alarm being given native brigades and the Shameen fire engines hurried to rendor what assistanco they could, but the strasts were so narrow and arowded that their progress was much delayed. f. Thieres and vagabonds took the opportunity of plundering wherever "openings made by the excitement of the moment permitted. The scene of fire was a densely populated neigh- there were several gambling and eating-houses, bourhood, frequented by the lower class, where
dragging band tied women along the street and brothels Owners of the latter were seen by ropes, fearing that they might be stolen and re-sold to other keepers. Nearly all build- ings in the following streets were razed to the ground New Tong-U-Lan, Old Tong-W-Lan, LONDON, 25th February.
Tin-Lo-Hong. Sap-Yee-Kau. Tsat-Kum, Ha Chan-Tong, and Chan-Toug-Nam. The num Mr. Balfour has resumed the duties of Pre-ber of bonses completely gutted in estimated at mier in the House of Commons.
The Henry Dallas Musical Comedy Company a view to such an arrangement. were farnared with a crowded audience at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening when they. addition to this, and in view of the markedly
staged The French Maid. We cannot say that original, and hitherto unprecedented nature
the piece was one in which the Company ap peared at their best, for the second act was of the utinek, it is not too much to say that
distinctly disappointing. It was manifest in the the Japanese tactics at Port Arther open
first act that the Company includes some very- outadistinctly new chapter in naval warfare.
talented artistes, notably Mr. Percival Knight!
THE MANCHURIAN RAILWAY. The lesson to be impressed on the generation
who took the part of the waiter; Mr, Duncon
LONDON, 26th Febenary. is, however, the old one of the valley of Elah, when GOLIATH of Gath, whose spear believing in the omnipotence of Russia; and
The new Jurors' List is published in the Muaro, who appeared as the jolly Jack Tar:
An oficial report to the Director-General of rule of the gendarme; aad Miss Alico Wade, shaft was like a weaver's beum, was not left her an open door to establish herself in Gazette, as is also a list of Masters Mates and Mr. Frank Cochrane, 'who filled the amusing
who took the title role. The audience indeed Chinese Railways states that the Manchurian withstanding, or rather in consequence o Port Arthur, the fruitful source of the Engineers who have passed examinations,
It is officially announced from Rome that were very demonstrative in their appreciation Railway is strongly guarded; at every mile, the weight of his offensive armour, put hora
present trouble.
But not less devoid of originality is Count Ercole Orsini, Italian Minister at Tokyo, of many items in the first act, and the applause approximately, there is a high watch-tower, de combat at the first stroke. DAVID's sling
a enthusiastic over to second act. We with thirty Cossacks, and stone, the prototype of the Japanese Russia's military history. Two hundredis promoted to be a Minister Plenipotentiary of was certainly well merited. But we cannot assume that it was not given as written by the torpedo-boat, was a far more effective
Sweden was acknowledged the first class. weapon in the hands of the skilled slinger to be the most powerful of European There will be a yesuoy in the British Em author, and that it has suffered mach in the than the overweighted and unhandy spear states. Its King, CHARLES XII., declared bassy at S. Fetersburg this spring, as Sir Charles process of "adaptation." In the previons carried by his opponent. Having said so war against PETER the Great, and there is no Scott is about to retire in April. As far as is piecas staged the Company have shown their much for the wapons, we must not neglect doubt had the campaign been carried out with knowa at prosent his Excellency's successor talent to better advantage and may be expected the men. Had the weapons been reversed.
any ordinary degree of prudence that the has not been selected.
years ago
to do so again to-night in the Runaway dírl,
MR. BALFOUR CONVALESCENT
about 350.