The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-26 00:00:00

THE MURDER OF TWO BRITISH

OFFICERS IN JAPAN

We have received our advices in anticipation of
the Overland Mail, the dates being Calcutta, Dec.
23 ; Madras, Dec. 27 ; and Hong-Kong, Dec. 15.
The following account of the murder of two
British officers in Japan is taken from the Japan
Herald of November 26 :
The particulars of these last barbarous murders,
so far as the circumstantial evidence which has as
yet been produced and followed up can enlighten us,
may thus be condensed out of the evidence given at
the coroner's inquest.
On the morning of the 21st inst (Monday), Major
George Walter Baldwin and Lieutenant Robert
Nicholas Bird, both of the 2d battalion of her Bri-
tannic Majesty's 20th Regiment (two, who amongst
all the respected and beloved of the officers of that
regiment had, by their gentle inoffensive natures
and sterling worth gained the foremost ranks in
the affectionate regards of all who knew them), left
Yokohama on horseback for an excursion to
Kamakura and Daiboots. About half-past ten they
arrived at Enosima, which place (after exchanging
courtesies with other excursionists they met there)
they left about 12 o'clock, with the intention of pro-
ceeding to Daiboots. The same night information
from the district authorities was sent in to the go-
vernor of Yokohama that two foreigners had been
assaulted at or near Kamakura, that one was dead,
but the other was yet alive. This information hav-
ing been communicated forthwith (about 2 o'clock
in the morning of the 22d, Tuesday) to the foreign
consuls, Dr. Lindan, the Swiss Consul, Mr. Von
Brandt, the Prussian Consul, and in various parties
other foreign residents, started at or about 4 o'clock
towards the place indicated. Lieut. Woods, with.a
party of mounted artillery, and Mr. Lachland
Fletcher, interpreter to the British Legation, being
ordered to proceed hither in all haste. A little
after daylight they arrived at "the threefold
road leading from the Great Temple, Hatchuma,
where it divides into three smaller roads, one leading
to Daiboots to the right, the second straight on to
the sea, and the third into the country to the left."
Near this spot and between a miserable tea house
and a but for horses, two small sheds of mats
propped up by bamboo, and disposed on mats laid
on the ground, were found most horribly mutilated,
the bodies of the two unfortunate gentlemen, the
pistol of one of them—one barrel of which appeared
to have recently been discharged—by his side, that
of the other yet undrawn from his belt. All the in-
quiries made by Mr. Fletcher (and we:all know how
perseveringly and discreetly he would push them to
the utmost) failed to elicit any information. No one
knew anything but that there the bodies were—and
that one of the deceased—the younger one, who said
his name was Bird, had lived for several hours.
The bodies were brought in by water, and the
inquest was held.
It would not be wise here (whilst the murderers
yet remain undiscovered) to point out certain extra-
ordinary antitheses between the medical evidence
and that above referred to. Horrible as the deed
is known to be—surpassing in cowardice and bloody
murdering spirit all that even those who, like our-
selves, have been in close and constant intercourse
with a nation called cannibal and savage—have ever
witnessed or heard of—there is—we shudder whilst
we say it—great room to fear that it may have been
even yet more brutal, more cowaitlly, more blood-
thirsty than yet is known. The deceased were buried
with full military honours on Thursday ; the mourn-
ful cortege forming, without doubt, the most fin-
posing spectacle ever witnessed in Yokohama. We
noticed there the British, French, American, and
Dutch Ministers, and all the consuls in full uni-
form ; the governor of Kanagawa and suite ; the
officers of all the men-of-war of all nationalities
in the harbour, the officers of all the land
forces of all nationalities, and we believe we
may say that every male resident of Yokohama was
there. The profound solemn silence that prevailed,
the sad, though stern, countenances of all this con-
course—was a tribute to the memory of the
slaughtered British officers which will reach higher
than the highest mausoleum ever erected ; we trust
it may reach, with some consoling tone, the hearts
of their relations, their brother officers, their fellow
soldiers, and all who knew these two estimable men
from whom they have been for ever in this life
severed in so sudden and so heart-rending a manner."
Subjoined is-the verdict at the inquest held on the
bodies of the unfortunate officers :
That Major George Walter Baldwin and Lieut.
Robert Nicholas Bird were cruelly murdered near
the town of Kamakura on the 21st of November
instant, about four in the afternoon.
That from the evidence brought before them
the jury have no doubt that the atrocious crime
was the act of Japanese swordsmen unknown.
The jury further find that this attack must, in all
likelihood, have been made on both sides simulta-
neously, and by a party of five or six ruffians at the
very least, but possibly of even greater numbers.
The jury are further of opinion that the Japanese
evidence read in court is utterly worthless, and that
there must be ample testimony in the possession of
the Japanese authorities, or attainable by them,
descriptive of the whole circumstances of the
tragedy.
(Signed) G. ROCHFORT, Capt. 20th Regt.
(Signed) CONROY FAHIE, Capt. 20th Regt.
(Signed) J. ALDRIDGE, Capt. 20th Regt.
Approved,
CIIARLES A. WINCHESTER, Consul
(Signed) and Coroner.
Speaking of the funeral, the Japan Herald says :
—We could scarcely be expected to note a descrip-
tive account of this heartrending ceremony, but
have since obtained the following particulars :
The coffins, which were on artillery carriages,
drawn by the men of that corps, were first followed
by Lieut.-Col. Browne as chief mourner ; the pall
of that enclosing the remains of Major Baldwin
being borne by Colonel Penrose, R.M.L.I. ; Major
Miller, 67th; Major Ord, 20th; Major Wray, R.E. ;
and those of Lieutenant Bird by Lieutenants Fraser,
Webster, Wahal, and Barlow, all of the 20th. The
firing party consisted of 240 rank and file of the
20th, under command of Captain Rochefort. We
must not, however, omit to add, for the information
of the friends of the deceased, who will doubtless
desire to acknowledge for themselves the considerate
condolence, that not only were there present, as we
have said above, the ministers, consuls, and naval
and military officers of all foreign powers, but
that a detachment of 150 men of H. I. M.'s
Semiramis, under command of Lieut. Mict, formed
a part of the mournful cortege. And now, having
'• buried our dead," we rejoice to be able to add
here intelligence which will we doubt not be received
with universal gratification. We know, from the
best authority, that Sir Rutherford Alcock is reso-
lutely determined by every means at his command,
to urge and, if necessary, compel the Japanese
authorities to do their utmost to discover and de-
liver up the murderers; let none therefore imagine
that in that quarter there can be any irresolution,
torpidity, or disinclination sincerely to follow this
matter to its end ; we believe Sir R. Alcock would
value this discovery—this retribution, more than he
ever valued any honours or praise which have been
showered upon him ; we believe his heart is in it.
We rejoice, too, to be able to say that we have the
best authority for believing that the charge which
we have so often heard generally made, even in
official as well as in far less influential quarters,
that " the Japanese authorities make it their policy
to shroud and conceal offenders against foreigners"
is now, this time at least, being most satisfactorily
disproved.
,The Japanese authorities are, we know,
professing to do their very utmost to bring the
assassins to' justice ; we have good ground for the
belief that they are sincere in their professions.
The Overland China Mail, of Dec. 15, has the
following remarks :
" The question that arises is simply whether or
not Sir Rutherford Alcock, who has always been
sufficiently pugnacious, if not more so, will avail
himself of the very powerful armament now at his
command in Chinese waters or on shore at Shangbae,
Hong Kong,
and Japan, to strike a blow' at the
Japanese authorities, which will suffice to remind
them that the lives of Englishmen are respected by
their Government. The question of the assassina-
tion of foreigners in Japan has now, we think, com-
to a head. It is many years ago Pince we pointed

At the sitting of the Chamber to-day the discus-
sion of the report of the committee of inquiry into
the events of September was upon the order of the
day.
Baron Ricasoli spoke in favour of agreement. He
said that judgment of the events of September ought
to be left to public opinion and to history. He
dwelt upon the danger which would arise from enter-
ing into discussion upon these facts. Italy did not
want disputes, but required legislative reform.
Turin had no occasion to defend herself ; and,
further, all Italy had shared in her regret. The
Baron, therefore, moved as follows :—" Consider-
ing that Parliament ought, under present circum-
stances, to occupy itself with the reorganisation of
the nation ; that to recall past facts would injure
the calm of debate ; that the sacrifices made by
Turin in favour of Italy, and her attitude during
the debates upon the transfer of the capital suffice
to remove all suspicion of municipalism ; the Cham-
ber, after having thanked the committee, passes to
the order of the day." _ .

Signor Cassims proposed that the resolutions of
the committee should be inscribed upon the jour-
nals of the Houses in case the Chamber should not
discuss the report.
Signori Mordini, Crispi, and Brofferio demanded
discussion and a vote as an act of justice due to
Turin, which has testified her full confidence in the
Parliament.

The Minister of the Interior and for Foreign
Affairs supported Baron Ricasoli's motion, request-
ing those opposed to it to sacrifice to Italy their
desire to bring forward accusations.
General Bixio, Signori de Rosa, Laporta, and
others spoke upon the motion.
Signori Minghetti and Peruzzi, members of the
former Ministry, accepted Baron Ricasoli's motion,
which, upon the names of the members being called
over, was passed by 140 to 67. Thirteen members
abstained from voting.

Arrival at Lisbon of the Officers and Crew
of ILP►i.S, Bombay.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—By a telegram received this day from Lis-
bon, it appears that the Herschel, steamer, arrived
there on the 25th inst., with Captain Campbell and
525 officers and men belonging to H.M.S. Bombay,
burnt near Monte Video.
Admiralty, Jan. 26, 1865.

The Entrance to the Channel,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—In June last I read a long advertisement in your
valuable paper from a company who came before the public
to invite subscriptions, to station a " Floating Telegraph
Lightship and Storeship," S.W. of the Scilly Isles, in the
track of vessels homeward and outward bound from the
British and St. George's Channels.
I have daily expected to have seen a notice of such light-
ship being ready, since at the time of coming before the
public the scheme was well supported both by the Press
and the leading shipowners and merchants of London.
This vessel would doubtless prove of great service to the
shipping generally; and the bad weather that has lately been
prevalent in the Channel has suggested my asking, through
your columns, whether this company is still in existence,
or whether it has been abandoned ?
In addition to placing a lightship, &c., the scheme to
which I allude provided for a powerful steam-tug in Scilly,
and a submarine telegraphic cable to the ship anchored
at sea.
Had there been such a station in the Atlantic during the
past few weeks a large number of lives and a considerable
amount of property might, doubtless, have been saved, and
not only proved of great service to the shipping generally,
but also have proved very remunerative to those who
might have embarked in what I can call by no better name
than a most "useful and humane undertaking."

I need only mention a few cases that have lately occurred

to show the great number of lives and the amount of pro-
perty which is constantly in danger off the Scilly Isles, and
which by timely assistance (which can only be rendered by
a vessel being placed as proposed) would doubtless be saved.
First, among others, was the large ship, " Floating
Light," from Bombay, which is presumed was knocking
about for some time in a disabled state, finally going down.
Next, the " Raypoot," from Liverpool to Bombay, dis-
masted and towed round to the Thames. The "Marie A.
Sidonie," of Brest, was passed, abandoned, off Scilly. The
"Armenian," steamer, on the 6th inst., fell in with a
derelict new ship " Phryne" and put a crew on
board. On the 19th instant, the "Venetian," screw
steamer, from Alexandria, put into Scilly with
loss of boats, &c., and part cargo. On 17th instant the
Araxes, screw steamer, towed in the Glaucus, from Per-
nambuco to Liverpool, having decks swept and loss of
some of her crew. The schooner Cupid, from Para to
Liverpool, also put in, short of provisions, and loss of bul-
warks, &c. These are only a few of the casualties which
have occurred, and without doubt a lightship, with a tele-
graph to the main land, would have been the means of
their obtaining assistance long before they were in the
disabled position in which they were found.
For the interest of shipping I hope this scheme has not
been abandoned.
Apologising for intruding upon your valuable space, I
am your obedient servant,
ONE CONNECTED WITH SHIPPING.
Great Yarmouth, 25th Jan., 1865.

THE WEATHER IN THE PARKS.—The ice in the
metropolitan parks was in such a dangerous state yesterday
that skating could not be carried on ; but although placards
were posted cautioning people not to venture upon it, and
the Society's men pointed out the hazard which would be
incurred, some hundreds of persons risked their lives by
walking upon the ice. The consequence was that several
were immersed and ran a narrow chance of losing their
lives. A party of ladies and gentlemen endeavoured to
skate on the pond facing Kensington Palace, and would
not leave the ice, despite repeated warnings, until six of
their number fell in.

Vy
DROWNED WHILE ENDEAVOURING TO SAVE LIFE.
—An exciting scene and melancholy accident was
witnessed on Sunday afternoon in Shobrooke Park, about
a mile from Crediton. The ornamental water was thinly
covered with ice, and a large number of persons, including
many children, ventured upon it. About five o'clock in
the afternoon the frail covering was broken, and a score of
children were immersed. Several boys near the edge
scrambled out, others were dragged out, and at last only
two little girls, named Howard and Inch, were left in dan-
ger. A young man, of the name of Modgridge, in the em-
ploy of Mr. Pope, hatter, and a native of Exmouth, went
into the water to try to save the children. But in full
view of the horrified crowd he lost his balance, fell over on
his head, was drawn under the ice, and it was plain to all
that he was past hope. The girls were still struggling in
the water, but two more volunteers, Lang and Gribble,
both young men, plunged in to the rescue, and succeeded
in bringing the two girls to land. They were greatly ex-
hausted and insensible, but the restoratives applied were
successful. Constables commenced a search for the body of
Modgridge, which was found about 9 o'clock that night,
and taken to the Crediton Inn to await an inquest. The
people of the neighbourhood are less than Devonshire men
if they do not in some prominent and effectual way mark
their appreciation of the heroic conduct of the deceased, and
of the other two, who faced the same danger, but with a
different result.