The morning call., 1894-11-23
LOSS OF THE CHEN YUEN.
Ran Upon One of the Torpedoes Put
Out bv Chinese.

Gut by Chinese.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-The Chinese
have lost the finest anu most powerful
vessel of their navy, the great battle-ship o
Chen Yuen. which stood the brunt of tie
fighting a YaIu. The cable received at
the Navy Department to-day states that
the Chen Yuen, in leaving Nel-Hai-Wei
harbor on the 18th inst, accidentally
struck a torpedo. She was beached. but
was rendered useless for lack Of docking
facilities. In despair at the catastrophe
the commander, Commodore Lin, COM
mitted suicide.
The Chen Yuen was a magnificent fight
ing machine, very much like the American
baule-ship Maine. She was built in
Europe in 1882 and was of 7450 tons dis
placement. 1t would seem from the facts
in the cable that the ship fell a victim to
one OF the tprpedoes planted by the Chi
nese to guard the entrance of Wei-Hai-Wei
which was the last of the great naval
sfrongnolds of the empire save Port Ar
thur, now tottering 20 its fall. It was well
that Commodore Lin committed suicide,
for he would doubtless have been decapi-
tsted as the result OF his error 1t is be-
lieved here that this loss has deprived the
Chinese navy of its offensive power There
remains the Ting Yuen, a powerful battle
ship, and few lesser lrOnclads, but with
out the aid Of the Chen Yuen they would
hardly dare TO make an offensive cam
paign and probably Will remain in port to
assist in the defense.
The departure of the Chinese customs
chief for Japan is regarded by officials
here as the result of Japan's demand for
direct offer from China The De Ting
mentioned in the cable is said to be
Dietring, a German, who occupies the
position of Commissioner of Customs.
That he should be sent as the peace euvoy
Is account ted for by officials on the ground
hat an indemnity would probably De
secured on the customs reeeipts of China.
1t has been one of Japan's contentious
that she would expect to receive the
customs receipts of the big Chinese por!s in
case an Indemnity was arranged. 1t ia
said that the Chinese envoy will be the
guest of United States Minister Dun at
Toxic. Chinese officials have been ac-
corded every courtesy.
In accordance with the sugges ton of
Japan, the State Department has notified
Minister Dun at Toxic and Minister Denbv
at Peking to transmit direct any offer that
China may wish to make 10 Japan. The
Chinese delegation bere is not notified as to
what course its Government will take. The
Associated Press cable from Japan states,
however, that China has intimated its
willingness to pay an Indemnity OF 100.-
100000 taels, and in addition all the war
expenses incurred by Japan. AS the war
expenses now reach 100000 taels. The
total offer of China would be $50, 900. 000
A rael is Chinese silver coin worth about
70 cents at the present exchange. 1t is
believed here that arrangements between
the two nations could be effected on
terms providing for smaller war indem-
nifty. Diplomats say that under ordinary
circumstances it would take some time for
China to formally present its offer to Min
lister DENLY, but as the Japanese are now
at the walls OF Port Arthur and about TO
make the last blow at China's greatest
for ress, it is ANTICIPATED that China may
hurry negotiations to a conclusion. 1t is
expected that Minister DENLY will trans
nit the offer by telegraph to Tientsin
and Shanghai. and thence by cable to
Yokohama.
The advance on Port Arthur is regarded
as having an important bearing On the
peace negotiations. Lieutenant Miyoka,
naval attache of the japanese legation
here, says the advance movement has
been most cautious, as the ground for
forty miles around Port Arthnr has been
fairly alive with powder mines connected
by electric wires with Port Arthur.
Three days ago the Japanese were
within a days march of the fortress, but
it was necessary to send ahead a small