The herald., 1894-12-19
Ii HUNG'S LOST CHAN ICE
He Could Have Been Dictator
Of the Empire.
More Tales of Atrocities by the
Chinese.
Cruelties That Would Shame an
Apache Indian.
Change of Commanders of the Army in
Man anohuris-Ohinsse Ships of War
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
YOKOHAMA. Dec. 7.-[PeP steamer EN-
press of India to Victoria, B. c., Dec.
18. IA singular and unexpected demon
stration of Chinese spirit was made
during the attack on Port Arthur.
While the main body of General Oya-
mas army was devoting its energies to
this enterprise = considerable Chinese
force, estimated at 5000, was hurriedly
sent to Foo Chow, Q town on the west-
ern coast of the Lao Tung peninsula,
with the design of surprising the small
garrison left in charge OF Kin Chow.
The attempt was an utter failure. Al
though heavily outnum bered. the jap
anese defenders repulsed the enemy
after contest of thrse hours, before the
reinforcements sent by General Oyeme
had time to arrive.
HORRIBLE ATROCITIES.
Correspondents OF Japanese papers
tell ghastly and revolving stories of the
atrocities committed by the Chinese
whenever accident had thrown small
bodies OF Japanese soldiers into their
power. Many Of these tales are Off
cially corroborated with minuteness of
detail which leaves no room for doubt as
to their authenticity. The mutilations
inflicted by Indian savages upon their
victims are not so horrible as come the
malignant ingenuity OF the Chinese has
invented.
1t is rumored that after witnessing
one of the most narrowing OF these spec
tacles,a group of hideously disem bo " ed
corpBes exposed at the side of the road
leading TO Port Arthur, numbers of the
conquerinR army threw aside all re-
straint and showed no mercy to those of
the enemy whom they next encountered.
No authoritative confirmation of this
report has been given and none can
reasonably be expected. but it should
cause no surprise II evidence were pro-
duced that the patience of the Japanese
had at last given way under the provo
cations offered, and the perpetrators OF
hundreds of unspeakable infamies had
been taught for once that forbsarance
ia not rule without exceptions.
THE ARMY IN MANCHURIA.
No news respecting the movements of
the first army in Manchuria has been
received this month, and the announce
ment Of sudden change of command
ers opens new field Of speculation as
to its future operations. General Yam.
agata has resigned and is succeeded by
General Nozu, whose promotion from
the grade OF lieutenant general is under
stood to be All appropriate reward for
his successful management of the Ping
Yang campaign. General Yamagata's
retirement is said to be caused by ILL
ness.
The emperor has sent one of the sur
geons of his household to attend the in
valid. who 10 expected to return to japan
without delay. The winter cold is
already severely felt in Manchuria. At
Hong Whone the temperature averages
FIVE degrees below zero. The Yalu river
is frozen over at Wiju and can be crossed
on horseback near Moukden.
IMMUNITY TO CHINESE wARsHIPs.
1t 10 reported that orders have been
issued by Japanese marine authorities
that the Chinese ships Of war are not to
be molested hereafter, except under cir
cumstances of absolute necessity. As
they are expected presently to form a
part of the Japanese navy, it is consid-
cred desirable that they suffer as little
iujury as possible in the interval. To
these instructions the immunity of the
Chen Yuen from attack may perhaps be
attributed. That vessel is now living
beached at Wei Hal Wei, in q position
that might be reached without much
difficulty by the Japanese long range
guns, but thus far not a shot has been
fred at her. Her helpless condition is
owing to striking upon q rock as she was
entering the harbor some weeks ago.
The belief is very freely expressed in
Shanghai that the occurrence was not
entirely accidental.
Ii HUNG CHANGES MISTAKE.
The attitude Of the Ii family and of
the still powerful faction OF which the
viceroy of Chi Ii is the center is re-
gsrded with great interest. The con-
viction is general that Ii Hung Chang
saw Q great opportunity open before
him two months ago, and if he had
chosen to act with promptness and en-
ergy the destiny OF China would now
be in his hands. But, as on former
occasion, he wasted too much time in
weighing the chances and allowed the
enthusiasm of his strongest supporters
to grow cold while he was making up
his mind to strike the decisive blow.
The Pei Ho at Tung Chow might have
been his Rubicon, but he would not
cross it when he could have done so at
the head of force sufficient to domin.
ate the situation, and now he dares not
venture beyond his official quarters in
Tien Tsin. Although several times
summoned to the capital. he srefises to
stir, evidently fearing the intri9hes OF
his enemies, who are now in the ascend-
ancy at court. Experienced observers
declare that if te had proclaimed him
self dictator at the first sign of the em-
peror's hostility, the entire course of
events might have been greatly simpli-
fed, and the worst of China's disgraces
averted.
LOST OPPORTUNITY.
1t would have been in his power
either to maintain his counsel with i'm
plicit obedience, or to estabish lyw
dynasty and seat himself upon 8he$