The Washington times., 1894-07-29
JAPAN'S time now TO CROW
Her Light Cruisers Drove a Big
Chinese Battleship Away.
ALSO SANK TWO TRANSPORTS
Several Thousand Celestial Soldiers Drowned
Italy Offers to Mediate Between the
Warning Powers-U 8. Naval Officers
Most Interested in the Late Fight.

YOKOHAMA, July 2s.-The Japanese govern.
ment has issued the following official state
ment of the recent engagement between the
fleets of Japan and China:
In consequence of severe provocation,
three ships Of the japanese squadron were
compelled to engage the Chinese fleet OF
Fontao OF Round Island. They captured the
Chinese warship Tsao Khan and sank Q
Chinese transport with soldiers on board. Tn.
fortunately one ofthe largest Chinese ironclads
Of the northern feet, the Chen Yuen. escaped
to China, and the Chinese torpedo cruiser
Huan Tai escaped to Fusan. in Corea. The
three japanese warships engaged were the
Akitsushima, the Takachiho, and the Hi Ysi.
They escaped entirely without injury.
The Chinese warship Chen Yuen is Of I, ,43o
tons displacement, carries eighteen guns, is
of steel, and was built in 1882. She is battle
ship Of high order Tho Huan Tai is
classed as cruiser of 800 tons displacement
and carrying seven guns. She was built Of
steel in 1888.
The three japanese warships engaged were
all modern vessels. The Akitsushima is
steel vessel OF 4, $50 tons, 400 horse power,
and carrying u guns. She was built in Japan
in 1892. The TaEachiho is steel vessel built
in England in 1885. She ia OF $3.50 tons,
carries 10 guns, and has an estimated
speed of nineteen knots, which speed, by the
way is also attributed TO the Akitsushima.
The third vessel of the japanese squadron,
the Hi Yei, is a composite vessel built in Eng.
land in 1873 Steel is largely used in her con-
struction; her tonnage is 2,2s4. She has
speed of twelve knots an hour and carries
nine guns.
ALL on BOARD WERE DROWNED.
SHANGHAI, July 2s.-In addition TO the
Hugh Mathieson & Co. steamer kow Shung,
which was SUNK by a japanese cruiser as it
was being used as transport for Chinese
Chinese Trading Company's steamer
Toonan, which was also being used
as transport for Chinese troops.
has been sunk by the fire Of Japanese war
ship. The Toonan was vessel OF 800 tons,
hailing from Hong Kong. She was COM
manded by Capt. Lowe, and belonged to the
China Merchant Steam Navigation Company.
She had been chartered from tnat company
ty the Chinese government in order 10 trans
port troops to Corsa.
LONDON, July 2s-The Chinese legation to-
day received a dispatch from Tien Tsin say
ing that the King OF Corea WIS captured by
the japanese on July %. This is regarded as
tApiaiuluS LAG cOlIislOH WHICH toOh pace AZ
Seoul, the capital of Cor-a. between the
japanese and the palace guards.
The Chinese minister to-day informed the
Associated Press representative that there
has been no formal declaration of war be-
tween China and Japan in spite OF the colli-
sions which have occurred. and that the pour
parlers tending toward a peaceful settlement
of tie disputes between the two countries
still continue.
ROME, July 2s.-The following dispatch
was received from Toxic, Japan. to-day:
The Italian Minister. acting in concert with
the British Minister. has presented TO the
japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs the pro-
posals made by the Chinese looking to
settlement of affairs in Corea. These pro-
posals will be considered by the japanese
government, which has reserved its reply