The San Francisco call., 1904-02-21
CENTRAL FIGURE IN ORIENT
IS ADMIRAL TOGO OF JAPAN
Hero of Port Arthur Battle IS Gallant Naval Officer
Who Fired the First Shot in the
Chino-Japanese War.

were about to fight over Korea. War
ships had been assembled and large
bodies of troops were either on the
field or were on the way TO the scene
of conflict. The Kowshing, a transport
vessel flying the British flag, with
British captain and crew and carry
ing some 100 Chinese soldiers for
Asan, was met by Togo in the Naniwa,
who signaled to her by firing two
blank cartridges to stop, which she
did. Thereafter japanese lieutenant
went on board the Kowshing with a
peremptory order from Togo that the
transport must proceed no farther to-
ward her destination, but at once ac-
company the Naniwa to the main Jap
anese fleet. Captain Galsworthy of
the Kowshing was willing to obey
these orders, but not so minded were
the officers of the Chinese forces on
the vessel. They Immediately raised
a great clamor and threatened Gals
worthy.
FIRST SHOT OF THE WAR.
Seeing what was occurring. Togo
sent a boat to bring off Captain Gals
worthy and his crew; but, meanwhile,
the disturbance and confusion on the
Kowshing had increased and the Chi
nese prevented them leaving her.
Some time then passed and at length
Togo signaled Galsworthy to take one
Of his own boats and come TO the
Naniwa; but the British captain was
not allowed by the Chinese to DO so.
For four hours Togo stood off aid on
trying to save him and the ship, but
finding there was no chance Of this he
at last ordered the red flag, which an
nounced that he was about to fire, to
be hoisted. A few moments later
well directed shot from The Naniwa
struck the engine-room and pene-
trated the hull of the Kowshing,
which soon afterward filled and sank.
AS Ga'sworthy and his men leaped
over the bulwarks Of the transport
into the sea they were fired on by the
Chinese. Togo at once sent out boats
and rescued as many as he could.
In this way Togc began the Chino
japanese war. His countrymen have
never forgotten the part he played in
this episode. Togo they say, 1t was
Togo who sank the Kowshing. And
they draw a confident augury from
il.
In the course of the war Togo saw
a great deal of actual fighting, so he
is a naval man Of no little experience.
He was present at the first battle of
Phungdo. al the battle of Haiyang,
took part in the bombardment of
TangchoW and saw the final overthrow
and destruction at Weihaiwei of all
that was left of the Chinese feet. Nor
did his ship, the Naniwa, pass entirely
scatheless through these ordeals.
though she received no vital damage.
But ever the fame Of Togo Heihachiro
grew; he was known as man of reso-
luton and resource, most Of all as
hard and determined fighter.
TOGO's POSITION TO-DAY.
After the war he was raised to the
rank of rear admiral and promoted 10
the third command in the Japanese
fleet. Prior to his present appoint
nlent he was commander in chief at
Maizuru, a dockyard on the Sea of
Japan. Maizuru is not one of the
largest yards in the island empire, but
it may become of great importance as
a suitable port from which troops can
be dispatched TO Korea, owing to its
comparative nearness to that penin-
sula. His present rank is that Of vice
admiral.
"All information with respect to the
japanese fleet has been so absolutely
withheld for the past few weeks by
the censor that it is not quite certain
on which ship Admiral Togo has
hoisted his flag; but it is understood
that the Hatsuse is the vessel. The
Hatsuse is a sister ship to the Mikasa;
that is to say, she is one of the largest
and most powerful battleships ahoat,
having over 5000 tons displacement.
In person Admiral Togo is a short.
somewhat stout man, with full black
beard and mustache, and distinctive
ly Japanese appearance. He is not a
great talker; indeed, in manner he is