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• REJİMLİM "Kot tuoda naw Brươt 13TIR
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15 20 #tabiatum adið berioser
von berita da mnenda, omte ora sada yon blue in I
KRA
V.
165
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Xumasaburo Masuta (sworn): master of the "Shikoku Haru" -
a Japanese ship. I last sailed from the Ii-omoto Islands
(Loo Choo Islands) sailing on the 9th August. I did not
hear of the war before I sailed. I did not call anywhere
on the way to nong Kong. When I arrived here outside the harbour, I was still i morant of the fact that was had brok-
an out. As I approached the harbour the Empress of Japan
came up and passed me. Shortly after passing me she stop-
red
I did after orossing our box to the starboard side.
not see why she stopped. About three years ago I came to
Hong Kong five or six times. I have never seen ships stop-
ping outside Lysemoon before. I still went ahead. Another
ship was coming out of the harbour. It was raining very
heavily. I and the outcoming ship passed. Shortly after-
wards a gun was fired and a shot passed a little above the
bridge. The first shot was a little aft the bridge and the
second just above the bridge. The third shot was forward
of the bridge. I ordered the mginea to be stopped after
the second shot. when the third shot came, I ordered the
angkass engines to go full speed astern and blew three
blasts on the whistle. Then the fourth shet came on the
forcoustle deck, and killed a seaman, named Kazakawa Seicho.
This shows that the ship was going astern when the fourth
shot cam) •
Soon after that a fifth shot came and struck
the engine room and coal bunkers. It struck the forepart
of the engine room. This shot went through to the starboard
I noticed some steam escaping- I was afraid the
steamer was going to sink; and that if she sunk there, she
would be an obstruction. I then put the engines full speed
ahead and tried to beach her on the starboard side. I sent
the third officer to see if the ship was making any water.
The third officer said there was no danger. I went to the
examination anchorage.
Bide.