From tue " Kono Hear."
Some information has already been given in these columns concerning the recent holding up" of a British steamer by a Russian auxiliary cruiser while on the passage from Shanghai to Japan, and we are now able to add some into esting particulars from an interview which Captain Anderson of the British steamer Cilurrium, who, with' his vessel, in Kobe, kindly had with a presentative of this journal. It appears that the Cilurnum, chartered by the Mitoui Bussan Kaisha, left Shanghai on Friday, 2nd June, with a mixed cargo, largely consisting of cotton, for Kob She sailed at midnight and about fifteo hours afterwards, or, to be precise, 3.30 p.m. on the 3rd, she sighted warship to the northward. Later on was ascertained to be the auxiliary steamer Rion (formerly the Smolensk) flying the Russian flag. The Russian Goat signalled the Cilurnum to stop immediately, which order was at once obeyed. Soon after four o'clock a boat with two Russian. officers went on. board and demanded to see the ship's Papers, which they took away with them, leaving instructions' that the ship was not to move. At half-past five, two boats filled with men came along. side. The mon scrambled on deck and, without saying a word, commenced opening up the hatches and jettisoning the cargo. On Captain Anderson protesting, he was told by the Russian officer in charge that they" were like pirates and could do as they liked;" they would examine the cargo and intended to throw all the cotton overboard. He spoke excellent English, so that no mistake could possibly have been made in id. If Captain Anderson placed any obstacles iq ins way, the Russian officer co: itinued, j4ix vessel would be sunk as others hed been. The Rassians proceeded to do exactly what they liked and ordered the derricks to b> placed in position so that there might he as little delay us possible in the work of destruction. They threw beans, antimony, cotton overboar.l in large quantities; the exact number of packager could not he ascertained a8 an attempt to keep a tally made by the Britichers proved unavailing and the Russian tally is suspected of being considerably below the mark. From ix o'clock till midnight the Qilarnum as ordered t follow the cruiser, which as then steering " 8. S, E, course, At midnight there came an order from the Bion that al! her hands were to return ey borrd, ani subsequently Captain Anderson was informed that as less than half his cargo was considered contraband, his vessel would be allowed to proceed. At this time the decks were littered with cargo brought from the hold and the Captain requested the Russian officer to allow his men to replace it, but this was refused under the plea that they were ina hurry. Possibly, the Captain thinks, one reason for this hurry was the news which ne had been able to give them concerning the Japanese victory in the Sea of Japan. He gave them Shanghai papers dated from 28th May to 2nd June in confirmation of toments but although the Russians evidently thought there was something in the news, they affected not to believe it. The Cilurnum was formally tele: at 145 am. on the 4th (Sunday) proceeded on her voyage to Moji, encountering foggy weather all the way. On arrival at the Last-mentioned port the Captain submitted a statement as to all the facts to the British Consul. The vessel arrived here yesterday and is now engaged in discharging.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.