It is very difficult as yet to get at the
exact facts as to the .sinking of the hired transport ` Kow Shing.' It is clear, however, that she was an English-owned vessel, flying the English flag ; that her captain was an Englishman, Captain Galsworthy ; that she was conveying eleven hundred Chinese troops to Corea under the escort of two Chinese warships, and that she was sunk by a Japanese cruiser, the ` Naniwa,' after she had heaved-to, and after her English ownership had been ascertained by the Japanese. The Japanese version of the affair, said to be based upon affidavits made by the captain and chief officer, happily saved by the Japanese boats, is that when the ‘Naniwu.' met the 'Kow Shing,' the Naniwa ' signalled her to stop, and sent an officer on board to see her papers. Among other ques- tions, he was asked if she would follow the Naniwa.' The captain answered, "We are in your power," but subsequently reported that he was not allowed to leave. The Naniwa ' then hoisted a red flag at the foremast-head, and hoisted the signal to quit the ship immediately. The captain warned the engineers and other foreigners to come on deck. After a while the Naniwa ' discharged a torpedo and fired her guns. The captain of the Kow Shing,' with several others, then jumped overboard ; and while they were in the water the Chinese soldiers on board the Kosy Shing' kept firing at them. The chief officer adds that a second visit of the Japanese officer was made with the view of transferring the Europeans on to the man-of-war before the firing began, but these good intentions were frustrated by the Chinese.
