[TO TRH EDITOR Or TRH " SPECTATOR:1
Sm,—Let me, as an eyewitness of events at this island in the years 1859 and 1861, correct the statements with which your correspondent, Mr. B. H. Alford (Spectator, June 3rd), would appear anxious to begin the history of the battle of the Sea of Japan. Oliphant did not "scour" the island to discover the Russian retreat; that had been discovered by H.M.S. 'Actaeon' two months before Oliphant went there. It was indeed upon the report of that discovery that Admiral Hope, taking Oliphant with him, went on his mission to request the Russian pirates to clear out. Further, Shanghai was the Russian base for the venture, not Vladivostok. The whole story is told in detail, with authorities for the statements, in the book, "On the Coast of Cathay and Cipango Forty Years Ago," pp. 268-72.—I am, Sir, &c., Vevey, Switzerland. WILLIAM BLAKENEV.
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