The record-union., 1894-12-17
THE WAR IN TIE ORIENT.

THE WAR IN TIE ORIENT.
"A Battle Near Sal Bashu, in Which
the Chinese were Routed.
HIROSHIMA, Dec. 16.-A dispatch from
the front states that reinforcements were
sent to the Japanese detachment which
on December 18th was compelled by a
superior Chinese force to retire from
Sal Bashu. On December 18th the
strengthened Japanese force made another
attack on the Chinese, who were al vanc-
Ing from Sal Bashu. The latter fought
with VIgor, but were completely routed,
fleeing to the shore. The japanese pur-
sued the enemy as far as Chokinash, and
captured four guns and several prisoners,
The japanese loss was three officers
wounded and seventy privates killed or
wounded. The Chinese are still confront
ing the japanese division commanded by
General Iatsumi, and lighting is expected
shortly.
THE ATROCITIES AT PORT ARTHUR.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 16.-The CBrOn-
1cIe to-day received the following dis
patch from its special correspondent, now
at hiroshima, giving a strong denial to
the reports Of butchery of Chinese civil
lans at Port Arthur after the forts were
taken:
HIROSHIMA (Japan), Dec. 16.-Concern-
ing the alleged massacre at Port Arthur
am assured by Ito Myogi, Secretary
General of the Imperial Cabinet, that the
reports are exaggerated. He asks con-
sideration of these facts
tlrst-Ihat majority of sO-called Chi
nese civilians said 10 have been butchered
by Japanese troops in Port Arthur were
really soldiers in plain clothes. This was
established by scores of slain.
Second-That the Chinese soldiers al
ways discarded their uniform when in
flight.
'Thlrd-That most of the civilians had
previously fled. Those who remained
were armed with rifles and fired on the
Japanese.
Fourth-That the Mikado's forces,
when they marched into the fallen strong
hold, were highly excited to find that the
Dodles OF their captured comrades had
been teartully mutilated. The Chinese
garrison, seeing that Port Arthur was
doomed, had put the Japanese prisoners
to atrocious deaths. The victors found
the pinioned bodies of their fellow SOL
dlers ripped open and diseH boweled,
while some captives had been burned
alive. These atrocities and the memory
OF others committed by the Chinese since
the beginning of the war enraged the
Japanese beyond endurance, yet nearly
100 Chinese prisoners were taken by the
Japanese when Port Arthur fell These
Will be sent to Toxic and as kindly treated
as others have been. The wounded
Chinese here are treated we'll, the EN-
peror's own physician being in charge of
the hospital.
REPORTS EXAGGERATED.
WASHIN GTON, Dec 10. A telegram
has been received at the Japanese Lega-
ton IN relation TO the atrocities alleged to
have been committed by the Japanese on
the capture of Port Arthur. The Gov
ernment at Toxic is not yet in possession
of full details Of the affair, but the in
formation already at hand shows con-
clusively that some OF the reports which
have been circulated concerning the con-
duct OF the Japanese troops are exagger-
ated and misleading. Ii there was un-
necessary bloOdshed, the Japanese Gov
ernment cannot but believe there must
have been some inciting cause for the be-
haVior of the japanese troops, as hitherto
they had been most exemplary at times
under circumstances calculated to excite
feelings OF the deepest resentment and
animosity. 1t is known to be fact that
the great majority of those Chinese who
were killed at Port Arthur were not
peaceful inhabitants, but Chinese soldiers
disguised in civilian dress. Most OF the
inhabitants fled from the place several
days before It's capture, and at the pres
ent time have returned and are pursuing
their daily ayocations without molesta-
ton or restraint. The japanese Govern
ment and its representatives have no dis
position TO conceal the facts but on the
contrary have caused the strictest investi-
cation, the results of which will be
promptly made public.
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
LONDON, Dec. ia special to the
Times from Shanghai says there is a
Chinese report that Chany Yin Kwan.
President of the Board of Revenue. has
been appointed En- mbassador to Toxic TO
arrange terms of peace.
a dispatch from Hiroshima to the
Times says that Field Marshal Yamagata,
commander OF the first Japanese army.
has arrived at that place, having been
invalided home. The report adds that
the third Japanese army is still at Hiro-
shima. awaiting orders.
FOREIGNERS TO BE PROTECTED.
SHANGHAI, Dec. l6.-An imperial or
der mas been issued commanding the
gendarmes of Pekln to give special pro-
lection TO the Legations III that city, and
to the residences of foreigners. The
gendarmes are directed to Immediately
arrest any person who attempts to dis
turb the peace.