We have had a local exhibition of native enterprise. After the summer rains there is always an abundance of good water in the city, supplied by a sluiceway which diverts small mountain stream through the city. This year the local magistrate concluded this sluiceway needed repairing, and instead of doing it when. there.was no water he waited till the rains came. Consequently the work has been much delayed, and the city people are not likely to get any benefit from the rains at all this year. They profess themselves much disgusted with the whole affair.
The Russians Arrive.
13th August.
Since the opening of hostilities between Russia and Jejyen we found ourselves for the first time yesterday within the theatre of war. At five o'clock on the evening of the 11th, two Russian men-of-war were seen approaching our port, and one of them very slowly steamed in, At hal€ past six this vessel and a destroyer auchored in the outer harbour and signalled for the port doctor to be sent immedintely to the men-of-war outside. The cruiser moving slowly in was the Novik, which had run short of coal. When she arrived in the inner harbour and had been boarded by the doctor, it was learned that the Russian fleet had emerged from Port Arthur. The Novik herself had lost two men, and her doctor was wounded, The destroyer's machinery was damaged and only one boiler was in use.
At seven o'clock a big Russian warship was sighted, steaming more slowly even than the Novik. It was soon discovered that this was the Czarevitch, the flagship of the Port Arthur fleet, and that she was damaged very badly. At nine o'clock she anchored in the inner harbour.
Next morning your correspondent went on board the Gzareviteh and gathered information in regard to the fighting, After the breaking out of the fleet from Port Arthur the Czarevitch three times had to withstand the fire of the Japanese, Admiral Witgeft, Rear Admiral Matsusoviteb, and the ship's captain were in the conning tower when a shell exploded within it. Nothing was left of Admiral Witgeft save his two lexs, which wore brought ashore to-day on a stretcher. Rear-Admiral Matsusevitch lost one of his arms, and the captain was also seriously wounded. In all 24 were killed, including the Admiral, and eight wounded. The Rear-Admiral was taken to the military hospital. here this morning. The damage to the Czarevitch will take some weeks to repair.
After having coaled, the Novik went out at four o'clock in the morning but was still sven outside the harbour at seven o'clock. At nine o'clock two more Rnssian torpedo-boats came in for coals and provisions. Itis expected they will leave during the night in order to avoid the Tapaneso ships cruising outside the har-hour and waiting for them. After the Novik's departure nothing more was seen of her and it is presumed that she escaped the Japanese and is on heravay to Viadistock. All the wounded Russians have now been taken to the hospital.
One of the Russians died yesterday in hospital of his wounds and was buried today with'full naval honours, A German Aetachment followed and many beautiful wreaths wore sent.
I learn that the shell which killed Admiral Witgeft. was fired by a pursuing Japanese man-of-war, only two miles outside neutral waters here. The three destroyers did not leave, last night, but are expected to go this afternoon. Japanese warships are still cruising outside waiting for them.
The apparent violation of the treaty rights of Chefoo by the Japanese in capturing the Reschitjelnij has caused much indignation in German naval circles. It is said that when the time comes for the three torpedo-boats to leave the whole German squadron here will clear for action to prevent any violation of our neutral waters.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.