According to official information received, the Japanese directed, on the 26th May, three divisions with 120 guns against Kinchou. Four gunboats and six torpedo-boats supported the attacking troops by cannonading especially Sur artillery. The battle commenced at 5:00 am. The enemy did much damage to the larger part of our siege guns. The infantry of the enemy outflanked our left wing by walking through the soa as deep as the belt. In consequence of the forces of the enemy, our troops began to retreat at 8:00 p.m. to Nanshanlin, after having blown up the siege guns that were not injured by the enemy. Our losses are: killed and wounded 30 officers and 800 men; the losses of the enemy are said to be enormous.
(Signed) Major-General Frova, Quartermaster-general.
The following telegrams are from the "Kobe Herald London, 26th May.
Admiral Skrydloff has hoisted his flag on board the Rossia. Accompanied by the Gromoboi, he sallied forth a few miles from Vladivostock and had difficulty in finding his entrance when returning to Viadivostock. On going back he vu. countered " fog and had groat ditliculty in getting back.
The "Times" states on good authority that Russia is endeavouring to purchase four armoured cruisers of 7,000 tons and is also acquiring torpedo boats and transports from Germany, the latter being Hamburg-America liners.
The British Expedition to Lhassa is meeting with considerable opposition and reinforcements are proceeding Gyangtse.—Mainichi,"
Peking, 26th May.
Prince Ching received a telegram, yesterday, from Mr. Koi To-ku, Chinese Minister at St. Petersburg, to the effect that there is some ground to believe that the Russians are desirous of coming to a settlement with the Japanese. A senior statesman who belongs to the committee in charge of Far Eastern questions has presented three suggestions to the Czar, outlining the probable demands of the Japanese at the time of reconciliation—* Mainichi."
Fuinanchen, 27th May.
Five hundred Russian Cavalrymen appeared on the 25th inst. at a place three miles west of Kwantenken. Two Japanese companies drove them west. There wore really 2,500 Russians there and they had two guns.—* Mainichi."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.