The Hawaiian gazette., 1916-02-08
Japanese Cruisers, Sighted of
the, Lee Of Maui, Are Reported
10 Have On Board One
Hundred Millions IN RoubIes
LOCAL NlPPoNESE ARE. ...
a.e EXPECTING SHIPS HERE
Treasure Is Being Sent To Can
ada From Russia To Be Trans
shipped Across the Continent
and Sent On Direct To London

(From Sunday Advertiser)

(From Sunday Advertiser)
Real, red gold by the ton will soon
be sailing into the Honolulu barbor,
tons and tons of it, if the expectations
of the local japanese press are fulfilled,
ns two treasure ships, now Off the lee
of Mani, are expected to visit this
port, perhaps today.
These are the japanese cruisers Chi
tose and Tokiwa, reported to have on
boarI for transshipment to the Cana
dian port of Vancouver the immense
sum of one hundred million roubles in
Russian gold. This figure Is given in
dispatches to the Nippu Jiji from
Toxic. The same sources said that the
men -of-war were bound to Vancouver,
where the gold will be discharged, a
small part going to the United States
but most being destined for London.
In round Numbers, the gold exceeds
-$50,000000, American standards. 1t is
one of the largest single shipments Of
metal ever made, being more than sew
enty-eight tons dead weight.
From Vladivostok
Advices to the Nippu Jill, published
in The Advertiser last week, stated
that the cruisers had left VIadivostok
for North America via Japan. and
Honolulu Japanese had asserted their
belief that they would call here. They
appeared off Maui two days later.
The Matson tug Intrepid, Capt. j.
o.. Peterson, in Friday night from Hlo,
sighted one cruiser working off Lahai.
ma Friday morning This report was
followed by that of the Inter Island
ste mer Mauna KCa, in from HilO yes.
terday,, which sighted the same vessel
and the collier Friday evening. Off
GERS of the Mauna Kea were told at
Lahaina that the two cruisers, ne
cUmpapied by a collier, which the Nip
pu Jill has learned was the Kwanto
Maru, appeared Thursday morning. One
of two warships disappeared after
eOaling. The Mauna Kea officers sur.
missed that she might be cruising about
Lanai, waiting for the other to finish
taking bunkers, but Honolulu Japan
ese believe that she will come here for
provisions. Reports at LahAina and
adviees to Japanese here agreed that
TOkiwa both of which have been here.
The collier Kwanto Maru was here last
year conveying the cruiser Asama to
Japan,
No Attempt To Hide
When the Mama Ken sighted the
one cruiser and the collier Friday
evening 1t appeared that the wa ship
was cOaIing, but when the Mauna Ken
neared them They were not at work
evidently having finished. All lights
were burning brightly, the Mauna Kra
reported, and the cruiser appeared to
be having searchlight practise, turning
her light, at one time, upon the Maumu
Kca. The Japanese were well without
the three-mile limit, officers of the
Mauna Kea reported.
Invariably japanese men of war
when coaling near the Hawaiian Is
lands, seek the space between Maui
Lanai and KahOolawr, where they find
smooth seas in the lee of Halrakula
There were smooth seas there Frida,
There have been haIf-dozcn reports
during the year of japanese vessels
having been sighted there. Some OF
them came to Honolulu for supplies
and others disappeared out to sea.
Gold For London
First reports that the gold was be
ing taken to San Francisco now are
said to have been in error. Although
1t appears strange that the gold should
be sent to England, il being more prob
able that il would be placed to the
credit Of England in the United States
the Nippu Jill advices are positive
as to this point, asserting, as stated
that small part would be sent to the
States for the credit of Russia against
purchases of supplies she is max ing
Int that the rest would 90 to London
Beyond Submarines
Loss Of much Japanese government
gold in the Nippon Yusen Kaisha
steamer fasaka Maru, torpcdocd in the
MedlteTranean near the Suez Canal, is
SAID TO have actuated the japanese
government in despatching this bullion
In men-of,war instead of in merchant
vessels, for positive safety from at,
tack Is not considered as assured in
anv sea.
,After taking the gold on at Vladi.
Nostok, the two cruisers proceeded ia
TFnruga, where 25,000,0 600 roubIes were
discharged for japan; thence the vcs
sells steamed for Mnitsuru navy ynrd
near Yokohama in Toxic bay, by wav
OF the Inland Sea, aud from the yard
thev came TO Hawaii. Janarcsr de
spat"hes say. They sailed from Matt
Snrn January 10, having made a pas
s'"" of about sixteen DAYS.
Rear Admiral X. Ide is commander
Of the squadron, The Tokiwa is flag
ship. and she is believed to have mos
Of the gold. If only one of the YES
sells comes here for provisions it prob
ably will be she.