Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-27
China and Japan Engage in Open
Hostilities.
CRITICAL SITUATION AT SEOUL
Opinion Seems to Favor Final
Chinese Success.
N Q L A n A V AL W AR


at Shanghai, China, confirms the announce
ment previously cabled to the Associated
Press on Saturday last that war between
China and Japan has been declared.
Teleeraphic communication with Corea is
Interrupted, and the widest rumors are in
circulation. Fighting is said to have taken
place between the Japanese and Chinese
war ships and transports, and the Chinese
are said to have had the worst Of Il. One
report has IT that several Chinese trans
ports and a Chinese war ship have been
sunk, and a number OF other Chinese ships
are reported disabled
Hugh Mathieson & Company. the Chinese
government agents in England. at 1 D. m.
received cable message. which also con-
firms the announcement that war has been
declared between China and Japan.
Up to noon, however, neither the Chinese
nor the japanese ministers had received
any advices which would enable them to
confirm the report OF the outbreak of hos
tilities, which has apparently followed the
declaration OF war. In fact, both the Chi
nese and japanese ministers assert that
they have not been officially Informed thar
war has been declared, claiming that the
only information they have on the subject
is derived from the newspaper DISPATCHES
The minister's referred to also claim TO be
ignorant OF anything which would tend to
confirm the report that the japanese have
captured the King of Corea-
Favorable for Japan.
The only press dispatches received in
London are those which have been for
warded to the Associated Press namely,
dispatch from Shanghai dated 10 a. m,
which announced that yesterday evening a
telegram was received from a high au
thority at Tien-Tsin. reporting that the
prospects for the continuance of peace were
more favorable.
The Shanghai dispatch added, however.
that war had been declared between China
and Japan, and that rumors were in cir
culation there TO the effect that several
Chinese warships were in trouble.
Mr.. Hugh Mathieson, when questioned on
the subject today by a representative OF
the Associated Press. said that he expected
that the war. at the outset, would be favor
able to Japan, as that country had long
been preparing for this contest by drilling
armies Of men and equiping warships
Mr.. Mathieson added that the japanese
consequently it would be but natural that
the first engagements between them and
the slower-moving Chinese would result i'm
victory for the soldiers and sailors Of the
mikado. But Mr.. Mathieson also said
eventually China must and will crush Japan,
adding. Japan is absolutely unable TO pour
out such a torrent OF men and material as
China, which country can carry on the war
for many years IL necessary, and always
with fresh troops.
China of recent years has purchased
large quantities of munitions OF war. and
Is not so far behind in this respect as in
generally believed"
Eject ON Trade Relations.
The manager OF the Hong Kong ana
Shanghai Bank said: Il have not received
any confirmation of the report that war has
been declared between China and Japan;
but should not be surprised IL such were
the case
zone of the results of the war will he to
put the great trade in the hands of England
and Europe to disadvantage of China and
Japan But the end of the war will b- tho
r.aking of China everywhere. and the open-
ing Of China for all time 10 western ciyiliza-
tion and trade.
"Cbina will realize through this war her
great and yet undeveloped strength"
The Associated Press correspondent finds
ttat the consensus OF opinion in London
shows that England is in sympathy with
China. This is owing mainly 10 Russia's
active wish 10 see Japan successful. and
thus form a barrier TO England's progress
in the far east.
China's War Munitions.
Some of the Anglo-Chinese traders OF this
city suggest doubts as to China's ability to
cope with Japan. as IL is known here that
much Of the Chinese war equipment recent
Iy purchased in Europe is bad For in
stance. IL is said that 4o0.9eo discarded
Austrian Mannlicher rifles, with a large
amount OF ammunition for these weapons,
which were recently sold TO China. are not
likely TO prove a very valuable acquisition
to China in this emergency. The rifles re-
ferred TO would not have been discarded
had they been of much use. and IL Is report
ed that the cartridges sold with them are
not MT 10 be used.
The actual cause OF the declaration Of
war. outside Of the recently growing CONF
plications between China and Japan in re-
gard TO Corea, is said 10 be the fact that,
a exclusively announced by the Associated
Press on July "a, the japanese attacked
the Chinese transports conveying troops to
Corea. In this engagement as the Asso-
ciated Press exclusively announced at that
lime, at least one Chinese transport was
sunk by Japanese cruiser.
Heavy Naval Fighting.
But IL would now seem that the fighting
between the Chinese and japanese wai ships
was much more serious than at first nn-
nounced. for il is rumored in Anglo-Chinese
circles here that Chinese have already Suf-
fere6 very heavy loss and IL is believed
that a number Of Chinese ships have been
sunk by the Japanese cruisers.
One Of the Anglo-Chinese merchants OF
this city expressed the belief that two naval
engagements have already been fought in
Corean waters; one on Tuesday and enc on
Wednesday last, and everybody Questioned
on the subject seems TO agree that tho
Ci nese were defeated with heavy less.
Great difficulty is experienced in obtain-
ing accurate news IN regard to the situation
of affairs owing 10 the feet that ielegra phic
comm Inication has twice been completely
beyond Nagasaki, Japan. and
all messages ha e been delayed. and d is
believed that further news viii shortly
reach here showing that, on the water az
least, the Japanese nave already obtained
a decided advantage.
sympathy With China.
There is no doubt that some of the Anglo
Chinese merchants Of London are in pcs
session OF moro accurate information in
r gard TO the report ID japanese SUCCESSES
than they are willing to admit; buI for
reasons best known To themselves they in
sist upon withhold g this information for
the pre-. ent Il last, as their sympathics
are undoubtedly with China in the struggle
which is now generally admitted 10 have
III the treaty port remain open England
expects to make a continuous profit out z:
the war between China and Japan. while
the fact that Russia is directly or Indirectly
giving assistance 10 Japan Is looked upon
by the English merchants as likely 10 place
a perpet,a. stop spoa Russia's trade
picgrcss with China.
staten snt In Parlia apcnt.
LONDON. July :7.-Ms. Sidney Buxton.