Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-01
LEAVE c0ReA.
Chinese Weakening and Japanese Aggressive
and Public Spirited.

LONDON, Sept 3O.-The Shanghai cor
respondent of The Times says; 1t is rn-
mored that Lii Hung Chang will be per-
mitted to take the field and that he will
probably have his headquarters at Lu Tai.
1t is repaired that the Chinese troops have
evacuated Corea and are massed 30 miles
west of Yalu river. A dispatch from Yoko-
hama says there is general public desire
in Japan to prosecute the war against
China in defiance of all obstacles, and a
general desire that the government make
desperate attack upon Pekin.
The Japanese parliament will at once
vote war credits regardless of party opin-
ions. Reinforcements are continually de-
parting from Yokohama, Toxic and other
places in Japan, but their destination is
| not known.
The owners of the British steamer
Pathan, which was seized off the island OF
Formosa by Chinese warship, have APP
pealed to the British government to secure
the vessels release and obtain compensa-
ton for her seizure. The owners assert
and crew of the ship since she was seized
and express fear that they have been NAL
treated They assert that they are
unaware that there was anything contra
band on board the ship.
The Times publishes an article by ma
val expert, in which the writer compares
and collates The Times advice from Che
Foo. and The Central News dispatches
l. n1t16n hnt
may be safely affirmed that modern weap-
ons have not mate rially modified the
Conditions of Naval Warfare.
"Japan's next move" he says, sis now
question of the greatest import. China's
fleet is virtually paralyzed, and the Jap
anese are free to transport force in any
direction.
''There are two principal courses for
them to pursue-first, to strike direct for
Pekin, and second, to occupy Formosa.
Either course is more probable than
march to Moukden. 1t seems certain that
25, 600 Japanese could take Pellin, when
Japan could obtain, so far rs China is
concerned, any terms she is likely to de-
mand.
"On the other hand, the time available
is very Short owing to the approach of
winter, and the venture, though not i'm
practicable, would be very risky.
"a force of 10000 would suffice to oc-
cupy Formosa, and descent upon the
island is certainly among the immediate
possibilities. Japan seeks territorial ex
pansion and Formosa offers obvious adj
vantages."
Advices from Shanghai to The Central
News says the emperor attributes the re-
cent defeats suffered by the Chin forces
to incompetency and corruption, and this
| fact has caused
Almost a Panic In the Palace
and has rendered the position of affairs in
China extremely serious.
The correspondent of The Central News
| in Toxic telcgraphs that the commander
| of the japanese warship Naniwa reports
| that in company with the Akitsushima on
Sept. % he made a search of the gulf of
| Tairenwan in Manchuria and found
| stranded there the Chinese cruiser Kwang
| Kai. Upon sighting the Japanese ships
| entering the gulf, the Chinese, who were
aboard the Kwang Kai, set their vessel on
| ire and fled.
| Captain Long, former director in the
| Chinese navy, and supervisor of the cree
| ion of many Chinese forts, said in an in
| ervicw Satu. ay in regard to the Chinese
| ,eyerses: ''T . inherent conservatism and
| .pathy concerning everything outside of
| China, and the want of esprit corps, have
| lad their natural results.
/ "As Il matter of fact the Chinese never
| expected to have to fight, and their
| Supreme Contempt of Japan
| 5 a predominant trait with them. Their
,aamen are as brave as could be wished,
| mt they have not the slightest patriot
| SIN. Their officers are regardless of al
| most everything but personal advantage,
| md have always wanted to cvade drill and
| remain ashore. They have hated Euro
| oeans and European ideas, and are insep-
,rably obstinate and conceited.
''Thcre are admitted exceptions to this
| rulc. however, especially in the case of
| Admiral Ting, who is conspicuously brave
| and capable officer, whose lead could
safely be followed anywhere.
Il cannot understand the alleged su-
periority of the Japanese quick firing
| runs. The four vessels of the Ching
Yuen class were admirably equipped, and
| am not disposed in the light of the
present information to give the Japanese
the credit they claim"
CAPTAIN Lang ascribed the defeat of the
Chinese if they had been defeated, to the
fact of their having lapsed from their high
standard of efficiency since 1890. The only
Europeans now in service in the Chinese
feet, he said, are acting in subordinate
capacities. In conclusion, he reaffirmed
his belief that the Chinese had been the
yictors
| Anxiety at Pel<in. -....
| SHANGHAI, Sept. 30.-Advices received
here from Pekin say that there is ever in