The record-union., 1894-12-19
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.

Special to the RECORD UNION.
YOKOHAMA, Dec. 7-(per steamer En-
press of India, to Victoria), Dec. lS.-A
singular and unexpected demonstration
of Chinese spirit was made during the
attack on Port Arthur. While the
main body OF General Oyama's army
was devoting its energies to this enter
prise, a considerable Chinese force. esti-
mated at 5000, was hurriedIy sent from
Fu Chow, town on the western 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 Although heavily out
mum bered, the Japanese defenders re-
pulsed the enemy alter a contest of three
hours, before the reinforcements dis
patched by General Oyama had time to
arrive.
Correspondents of Japanese news
papers tell ghastly and revolving stories
of the atrocities committed by the Chi
neSe whenever accident had thrown small
bodies OF Japanese soldiers into their
power. Many of these tales are officially
cOrroDorated with a minuteneSs of detail
which leaves no room for doubt as TO
ulcteu by Indian SaVageS upon their vie
TINS are not so horrible as some which
the malignant ingenuity OF the Chinese
has invented.
IL Is rumOred that after witnessing one
of the most narrowing of these spectacles,
group of hideously dismembered
cOrpSeS exposed at the side OF the road
leading TO Port Arthur, numbers of the
conquerlng army threw aside all self-re-
StraIut ana showed no mercy 10 those of
the enemy whom they neXt encountered
NO authoritative confirmation of this re-
port has been given, and none can reason
ably he expected, but it should cause no
surprise /; evidence were produced that
the patience of the japanese had at last
given way under the prOVOcations offered,
AND the perpetrators Of hundreds of un-
speakable lntamies had been taught for
once that 1OrOearance is not rule with
out exceptions.
No news respecting the movements of
the nrst army in AlaNchuria has been re-
celved this month, and the announcement
OF sudden change OF commanders opens
new nelu OF speculation as TO its future
operations. General Yamagata has re-
signed, and Is succeeded by General
Nozu, whose promotion from the grade
OF Northumberland is understood to
be an appropriate reward for his success
tul management OF the Ping Yang cam
paign. General Aamagata's retirementiS is
said to be caused by illness. The EN-
peror has sent one OF the surgeons of his
household 10 attend the invalid, who is
expected to return to Japan without de-
lay.
The winter cold is already severely
Ielt in Manchuria. At Hong Wong the
temperature averages 80 below zero. Tie
\ alu River is frozen over at Wiju, and
can be crossed on horseback near Mouk-
den.
50 cd hot
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
injury as possible in the interval. To
these instructions the immunity of the
Chen \ uen from attack may perhaps be
attributed. That vessel is now lying
beached at Wei Hal Wei in a position
which might be reached without much
difficulty by the Japanese long range
guns, but thus far not shot has been
fired at her. Her helpless condition is
owing to striking upon a rock as she was
entering the harbOr some weeks ago.
The belief is very freely expressed in
Shanghai that the occurrence was not en-
tirely occidental.
The attitude of the Lii family and of the
of China is the center is regarded with
deep interest. The conviction is general
that Ii Hung Chang saw a great oppor-
tunity open before him two months ago.
and that If ne had chosen to act with
promptness and energy, the destinies of
China would now be III 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 de-
cIsive blow. The Peiho at Tung Chow
might have been his Rubicon, but he
would not cross it when he could have
done so at the head of a force sufficient 10
dominate the situation, and row he dares
not venture beyond his official quarters
in Tien-Isn Although several times
summoned to the Capital, he refuses TO
stir, evidently fearing the intrigues of his
enemies, who are now in the ascendant at
court.
Experienced observers declare that if
he had proclaimed himself dictator at the
first sign of the Emperor's hostility the
entire course OF events might have been
greatly simplitied, and the worst of
China's disgrace averted. 1t would have
been in his power either to maintain his
counsel with implicit obedience or to es-
tablish a new dynasty and seat himself
upon the throne. Either in the character of
an am mbItlous usurper or sincere patriot,
he would have found few obstacles to the
accomplishment of his ends.
Until the inevitable hour of disintegra-
ton arrives, the Chinese people ask tor
nothing but government of reasonable
moderation, administered on lines with
which they are familiar, and which they
can easily understand; while AS the
pioneer OF a reformed foreign policy, no
ruler would be more cordially welcomed
by the nations OF Europe and America
than the aged statesman, whose instincts
have always leaned toward progress, and
who almost alone among his race is will
ing to open his country to the influences
of modern civilization.
Notwithstanding his failure to assert
himself at the propitious moment, it is
difficult for those who know him TO be-
lleve that he means to be driven from the
political field without a struggle Re-
ports are prevalent In Tien- sin and
Shanghai to the effect that he remains in
active III the expectation that when the
uttermost depth of incompetence has been
sounded at Pekiu. his claim to the as
cendancy will be indisputabIe, and will
require no effort TO substantiate il. He
has certainly lost none OF his authority
over the military force, which he person-
ally controls, and which is strong enough
TO shield him from immediate harm in
spite OF nominal degradation and threats
OF extreme punishment.
diamond utters' Strike.
A