The record-union., 1894-09-12
snecinI TO the RrcoRp-uN1or.

Times from Wei Hal Wei to-day says
commission composed of foreigners,
after examining the incidents of the naval
fight of July 26th, declares the japanese
were the aggressors. The Chinese. the
commission adds, were careful to avoid
the appearance of provocation, but the
japanese waylaid the Chinese, selecting
a good position. The Chinese senior ship
escaped, making a running fight, while
greatly damaging her pursuers. The re-
naming Chinese ship fought until the
ammunition was exhausted and two of
her guns destroyed. The same morning
it appears the Japanese arrived from
Seoul and attacked the Chinese at Asan.
These operations evidently were well
concerted.
The Chinese fleet, according to the
Times dispatch, is now collected at Wei
ai-Wei. and is in perfect fighting trim.
The Chin Yuen has been repaired and is
recruiting seamen freely. An excellent
esprit de corps will enable them to as
sert the supremacy of China in Corean
waters.
Continuing, the Tsnees correspondent
cables that both the Chinese and Jap
anese armies in Corea are seemingly in
a ctive.
Peremptory orders now have been
given for the three powerful vessels in
the southern squadron to join Admiral
lllng's fleet in the north without delay.
When these reiniorcements arrive, it is
asserted, the Chinese fleet will commence
operations in earnest against the Japan
ese. No confidence, however, is felt in
Admiral Ling's ability 10 hold even the
Gulf of Pechili against the Japanese fleet,
consequently many steamers belonging
to Chinese firms are being transferred to
the British flag.
The raising of money for war purposes
proceeds, and the mandarins command
ing the provinces aud districts are re-
ported to be squeezing che unfortunate
Chinese without mercy. Traders and
others possessing property are receiving
particular attention on the part of the
mandarins.
Three merchants of Shan Tung, who
showed some hesitation to comply with
official demands; had their property con-
fiscated
The Japanese have ordered the Coreans
to cut their hair as a token Of subjection.
The COreans refused to do so, preferring
to fight for liberty.
A dispatch from Shanghai to-day says
food and ammunition are said To be spoil
ing ali along the route southwark. AS a
result, food is becoming very scarce in
the Chinese army. According to the
same dispatch the pretense of Chinese
naval activity is absurd. The Japanese
are said to be maintaining such a strict
blockade of the Corean coast that not
even the smallest vessel can get through.
hundreds of Chinese soldiers are re-
ported to have died from want and ex-
posure and much sickness is said to exist
in the ranks. On the other hand the
japanese are much better prepared for
active operations. They have succeeded
in keeping their lines of communication
open, and have pushed their forces for
ward until they are now threatening the
Chinese flank. The position of the latter,
with winter rapidly advancing, threatens
to become untenable. Orders were sent
from Peking over a fortnight ago for all
Chinese squadrons to concentrate IN the
Gulf OF Pechili, but it appears these orders
were never carried out.
JAPAN'S TREATY WITH CoREA.
WASHINGTON, Sept. ia telegram
was received at the Japanese Legation
this afternoon that an important treaty
has been negotiated between Corea and
japan, which authoritatively defines the
relations of the two countries toward
each other and toward China.
The object of the treaty is stated in the
preamble to be a mutual desire on the
part of the Emperor OF Japan and the
King of Corea to definitely fix and de-
toward the other, with a view to clearly
calculating the existing relations be-
tween Japan and Corea which have been
created by the request which the Corean
Government has made to the Japanese
Government to compel the Chinese to
evacuate Corea. TO secure concerted
action for the more effective ACCOMPLISH
ment of this object, the treaty of alliance
between the two countries was signed at
Seoul, August 26th, by Oteri, the Envoy
of Japan and the Corean Minister of
Foreign Affairs.
The treaty consists of three articles.
Article / defines the object of the alliance
to be the strengthening and perpetuating
the independence of Corea as an auton-
omous state. and the promotion of the
mutual interests of Japan and Corea by
compelling the Chinese forces to with
draw from Corea and by obliging China to
abandon her claim to the right to domi-
nate the affairs of the country. Article 2
binds the Japanese Government to carry
on warllke operations against China, both
offensive and defensive. The Corean
Government is bound by the article to af-
ford the Japanese forces every possible
facility in their movements, and to fur
nish them with supplies of provisions at
fair remuneration, so far as such sup
plies may be needed. By Article it is
provided that the treaty shall terminate
so SOON as a treaty of peace shall have
been concluded by Japan with China.
Mr.. Kurino, the Japanese Minister
talked to an Associated Press reporter
to-day regarding the new treaty between
Japan and Corea: "We have nothing but
the announcement of the treaty. said he
"but my inference from its terms is that
it will prove highly advantageous to
Corea. There has existed there under
Chinese auspices the most corrupt sys-
tenn OF government known. The con-
stant intrigues of China there have
been threat to the peace of the East.
The Japanese Government has desired
the settlement OF this question only for
the peace of the East. 1t has been en-
tirely without expectation of territorial
aggrandIZement or exercise of suzerainty
of Corea.
"With the assurance of autonomy to
Corea, which is the design of this treaty.
there will be opportunity for great i'm
proyements III her system of govern
ment, international administration and
other affairs. Already she has advanced
from the condition of the rule of an in
dividual influenced by China, and has
Cabinet of six members and Prime Min
lister TO whom the ruler looks for advice
and guidance. This change was made
under advice of the Japanese represent-
atlve at Seoul.'
Mr.. Kurino said he did not think the
treaty could be called step toward a
peaceful settlement with China, as China
was tenacious on sentimental grounds of
her claim OF suzerainty. China might,