The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-11-09
HOW JAPANESE MEET DEATH.
striking HeIcism of the Soldiers on
the Kinshiu-Maru.
From the London Telegraph

From the London Telegraph.
Death rather than submission was
the fate which was voluntarily chosen
by the Japanese soldiers and others
VINO were on board the transport Kin
shiu-Maru at Gen San, when the
Russian warships suddenly appeared
on the scene. The Kobe Chronicle re-
prints from native paper a most in
teresting account of this stirring In
cldent or the war. 1t appears that
the men had been ashore scouting. and
had then re-embarked. The escorting
torpedo boat destroyer fiotilla put to
sea, and the transport followed. but
soon the vessels were separated in a
fog, and when this lifted the Kinshiu-
Maru found herself close to some war
ships. Capt. Yagi of the Kinshiu-
Maru, thinking the squadron to be
the Japanese, altered her course and
stored toward the warships, when the
signal STOP" floating from the main
mast and the firing of a blank shot
across the Kinshiu's bows brought the
vessel to a standstilL This turn of
events naturally caused surprise and
establishment on board the transport
but nothing could be done in the way
of escaping. Lieutenant Commander
work on the transport, proposed visit
ing the warships and taking such
measures as required by circum-
sances. This was agreed to be the
best course, and, having said fare
well to the military officers in COM
mand of the troops, and accompanied
by Capt. Yagi, Paymaster Ida and
and interpreter, Mr.. Kondon, the lieu
tenant commander rowed to the near
act xnfarGIafr xNhanap a 10 lrnnxyn fhn
party never returned, and are now
prisoners of war at Irkutsk.
On board the Kinshiu- Maru the mill
tary officers assembled in the saloon
and took counsel as to their course of
action. The officers were: Capt Shiina,
Capt. Sakurai, Lieut.. Terada. Lieut..
Yokota and Ensign Higaki. After the
conference Capt. Hhiina went into the
tween decks, where the men had been
ordered to assemble, and gave orders
as to the course to be taken by them
Meanwhile both the transport and the
warships had been lowering boats, and
soon three officers boarded the Klnshiu
and ordered the troops to lay down
their arms and surrender, stating that
II they did so they would be taken
on board the warships. The soldiers
were given an hour in which to arrive
at a decision, and, having allowed the
gers to take to the boats, the naval
officers returned to the squadron.
II was now past midnight, with a
bright moon and clear sky. A great
silence prevailed on the transport
which now had only troops on board
and a few blue Jackets and coolies
Capt. Shiina once again inspected his
men, who were found In perfect or
der. some motionless, but other fixing
bayonets or loading their rifles, pre-
pairing for the end. sergt. Mai. WASH
was collecting the maps, sketches. etc.
kept by the officers. Sergt. Okano
gathered IN the notebooks OF the men
and maps and notebooks were thrown
into the engine room Are. A corporal
ordered the men TO take of the num-
bers on their shoulder straps, so that
everything would be destroyed which
would prove OF any value TO the enemy
afterward.
II was past o'clock on the morning
OF April rs when the Russians dis
charged a torpedo against the fore part
OF the transport. on this Capt. Shlina
again went into the tween decks and
freed the men from military dlsci-
pllne. They were told 20 take what
course they thought A. az nothing
could be done TO avert disaster. The
men, anxious 20 know the fate OF their
officers. Hwarmed up the companion
ways 10 the saloon. found the doors
locked and no sound issuing therefrOm
Inside were the officers. who had
agreed 10 sink with the steamer. im-
nrisoned ia the saloon 70 that they