[April 17, 1895.
Captain McDougall gave evidence in support of the opening statement; and added that he heard Schumen, who died in gaol after his arrest, say to the first mate, Yon old- --, you will not give us liberty." When the men assaulted the mate witness said Do you intend to murder him ?" and then ordered them forward, They refused to go and he drew his revolver and they drew their knives. It was not until he was stabbed by Kelly that he fired his revolver.
The prisoners' defence was that the row started with the first mate and Brown. Brown, they said, was looking over a railing when the mate asked him what business he had there, and Brown said "Can you turn me away?" They then challenged each other to fight; and the mate was knocked down twice. He went to the poop, picked up a belaying pin, and shied it at Brown, who picked up a lump of coal and burled it at the first mate. The captain then came up. Brown said that he struck the captain, but Kelly, the man who was fatally shot, did not.
The prisoners were committed for trial. The case lasted six hours.
OUTBREAK OF THE PLAGUE AT MACAO.
There is no doubt now that the plague has broken out at Macao. During the past week various rumours have been afloat in the colony that the epidemic had made its appearance at Macao, and there is, unfortunately, every ground for the assertion. Several deaths have been re- ported during the week, and from one authority we learn that the average number has been a dosen a day. It is also stated that the plague has broken out at Canton, but the Chinese do. not confirm that report.
LATER.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Hiroshima reports that the terms of peace were A private telegram from a Chinese official at finally agreed upon on the 13th instant.
It is rumoured that Japan has reduced the war indemnity by 100,000,000 yen and has agreed to be satisfied with the cession of the Liaotung peninsula.
It is semi-officially stated in St. Petersburg that Russia will firmly oppose any annexation of the mainland of China by Japan.
THE FEIMA” CHANNEL BLOCKED.
have received the following telegram from Messrs. Siemssen & Co. inform us that they Shanghai :-
"Feima Channel blocked."
The Harbour Blaster also informs as that he
+4
Please warn vessels Feima Channel unsafe,"
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several deaths, due to the exposure of dead bodies, Japanese had been attacked by cholera, and are reported. H.M.S. Leander and Spartan are at Takow.
HONGKONG RIFLE ASSOCIATION.
LIST OF PRIZE WINNERS.
The Easter meeting of the Hongkong Rifle Association, which concluded on Monday after- noon, was a complete success in every way. There was a larger number of entries, the prizes were more valuable, and the shooting was of a the whole of the arrangements were carried out higher standard than in any previous year, and in a very creditable manner by the many hard- worked officials. it is unfortunate, however, has received the following telegram from the kong. The competitors were almost entirely that the civil community did not participate to Coast Inspector, Shangbai:-
any appreciable extent in the Bisley of Hong- composed of members of the Army and the Police force, and if those Volunteers who went to the ranges are included, there were only three or four private residents who thought it worth while to shoot. The real reason of this cannot be stated, but one gentleman gave an explana- tion, which seems to be a very good one, and which might account for the conspicuous absence what may be called "dabblers of civilians. There are no competitions for those gentlemen who like to shoot, but who do
in shooting- not like the idea of competing against first class the targets, and therefore would have no chance shots because they have no time for practice at of winning against the well trained marksmen. This fact may in some way account for the lack of interest displayed by non-official residents, and the Committee might do well to take the however, that many leading private residents matter into consideration. It must be mentioned,
SEIZURE OF A BRITISH STEAMER BY THE JAPANESE. Information has been received that the Indo- China steamer Yikaang, Captain Bradley, searched by a Japanese man-of-war outside bound from Shanghai to Tientsin, on being Taku was found to have a quantity of cartridges on board. She was thereupon arrested and taken to Port Arthur. cartridges were shipped by a firm at Shanghai The cases containing the as bamboo steel.
AFFAIRS IN SOUTH FORMOSA. From a letter dated Tainanfoo, 6th April, we make the following extracts :—
meeting by giving prizes. The weather during the whole of Friday, Saturday, and Monday was
have contributed not a little to the success of the
On Saturday morning Mr. A. G. Romano, the of Macao asking if it were true, as stated in the certained, although rumours have been current | brilliantly fine, and the consequence was some Portuguese Consul, telegraphed to the Governor Daily Press, that there was an epidemic of plague at Madao. In reply Mr. Romano re- ceived the following telegram from the Colonial Secretary at Macao:----
Since the occupation of the Pescadores the Japanese have made no move, as far as can be as- that men-of-war have been seen to the south of Takow. It is reported that cholera has broken out among the Japanese coolies at Makung.
H.M.S. Leander was at Tainanfoo when the Thales left, and the Severn at Takow. The Tweed is to be stationed inside the harbour at Takow, and the launch Anping will probably be and moored alongside the band of the settlement at Auping. It is said that there are a thousand Cantou soldiers around the city of Tainan foo, who, when the Japanese attacked the Pescadores, looted right and left, and then bolted to For- mosa. The authorities are endeavouring to keep them out of the city, where there is great uneasiness among the well-to-do Chinese. This only shows what would happen if the Japanese attacked Formosa, and how necessary it is that foreigners and foreign property should be protected.
Queen's aggregate was Lieutenant Hoey, who very good scores were made. The winner of the reached a total of 276 points. Inspector Mann also obtained a similar score, but the Lieutenant was placed first because he did better at the long distance ranges. A. nor feature of this year's
"There is no epidemic in Macao, only sporadic cases of plague, not with the Chinese residents of Macao; principally Chinese passengers from Canton. Yesterday a Chinaman showed symp./armed, manned by blue jackets from the Leander meeting was that Martini-Henri rifles were tons of plague. He came from Hongkong the day before yesterday. The Government are taking precautions and are building matsheds for hospitals to be used in case of an epidemic, which you will be informed of immediately."
From this message it seems as if the plague were at Canton, as not one of the sufferers at Macao was a resident in the colony. In regard to the statement that one of the afflicted patients came from Hongkong, we do not think there need be any fear that the plague has visited Hongkong up to the present. From enquiries we have made we learn that no cases of plague have been reported in the colony.
DISASTROUS EXPLOSION AT THE WOOSUNG FORTS.
SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE "DAILY PRESS"]
SHANGHAI, 11th April.
A forty-ton Armstrong _gan exploded yester- day in one of the forts at Woosung while target praction was going on, exploding also the con- tiguous magazine. Forty officers and men were killed or wounded. The neighbouring houses were wrecked.
THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]
LONDON, 10th April. The negotiations for peace are proceeding smoothly at Shimonosaki.
It is understood on good authority that the conditions comprise the autonomy of Korea, the session of Southern Manchuria; including Port Arthur, the session of Formosa the opening of Chinese ports and rivers to foreign commerce. the payment of a war indemnity of 400,000,000 yen, and the occupation of strategic points until such time as the indemnity is paid.
LONDON, 11th April. The Japanese war party is obstructing the negotiations for peace,
LONDON, 13th April. It is reported that China and Japan have arrived at an understanding and that there are prospects of an early peace.
The Thales takes a large number of passen- gars away. Business is very unsettled, chiefly owing to the disturbed state of the country, rendering it unsafe to send goods, or money,
into the interior.
THE JAPANESE AT THE PESCADORES.
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allowed ten points at the long ranges. There were very few visitors at the meeting, ex- cept yesterday afternoon, when there was tlemen, including His Excellency the Go- a very large attendance of ladies and gen. vernor. Major-General Digby Barker, and Admiral Fremantle, and all of them took a keen in which Mrs. Dalrymple carried off the first interest in the ever popular ladies' competition, prize with a score of 29. Miss Barker was very unfortunate in not gaining the premier position. She first scored 30, but was disqualified on the ground that she was coached during her shoot- the range a second time, but made only 27, thus ing by a certain gallant captain. She went to gaining the fourth prize. At the conclusion of the meeting Mrs. Barker distributed the prizes. Much praise is due to Major Moore, the honorary secretary, and Inspector Maun, the assistant honorary secretary, for their indefatigable efforts in making the meeting such a success as it undoubtedly was.
each.
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The following is a complete list of the prize 1.-All Comers.-Distance 200 yards. No. of Shots-Seven. Unlimited entries, 30 cents
Ten prizes, value $45. Corporal Clarke, R.B. Mr. Webber, R.E. Sapper Lawson, R.E. Inspector Maun Sergeant Shearing. Colour Sergeant Horsman Lieutenant Boden Private Godbear... Colour-Sergeant Hopkins, R.B. Mr. G. P. Lammert
JAPANESE DYING FROM CHOLERA. The Thales, which arrived here on Wednesday | winners :---- from Tainanfoo, Amoy, and Swatow, brought | additional information respecting the Japanese at the Pescadores. The steamer left Tainan- foo on the 7th inst., and passing close to the Pescadores the captain sighted six Japanese men-of-war and five transports anchored off Fisher Island. The Litsitah light was burning. The Thales brought a number of Chinese pass- engers, twelve of then landing at Swatow, and they gave of the fall of the Pescadores it seems seventy-five at Hongkong. From the account that when the Japanese were seen descending upon the islands, a large number of Chinese junks,
filled with scared natives, hurriedly left for the mainland. Several of them were shot and plundered by native robbers, and one soldier, who landed about eight miles from Tai- nanfoo, was mistaken for a thief and shot in the
arm.
A couple of slugs and a piece of his opat were embedded in bis arm, and these were extracted by Dr. Cairns, of the Tainanfoo exceedingly large number of prisoners, but all ex- Mission. The Japanese, on landing, captured an cept a thousand were released. H.M.S. Leander called at the Pescadores, and found that several
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Martini-Henry Carbine Competition.—Dis- tance 200 yards. Members only. No of Shots-Seven. Entrance 50 cents. Four prizes, value 70 per cent of the entries with $10 added.
Mr. J. Lowrie Mr. Stewart, Captain Murray
Mr. May
Mr. E. U. Shepherd
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30
30
28
-Queen's, 1st Stage,-Distance 200 yards. Members only. No. of Shots--Seven. En-
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