Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-17
THE WAR IN THB EAST.
The japanese Win in Another Sharp
Little Action.
SOME CHINESE COURAGE SHOWN.
The Japanese Minister at Wash
ington Receives Advices Re-
garding the Reported Massacre
at Port Arthur-The Story Be-
lieved to Have Been Exagger-
ated, and the Japs Claim
Justification.

HIROSHIMA, December ia despatch.
from the front states that reinforcements
were sent TO the Japanese detachment,
which on December 18th was compelled
by a superior Chinese force to retire from
Saibashu Or December l4th, the
strengthened Japanese force made another
attack on the Chinese who were advancing
from Saibashu. The latter fought with
yigor, but were completely routed, heeing
in disorder.
The japanese pursued the enemy as far
as Chokinshi, and captured four guns and
several prisoners. The Japanese loss was
three officers wounded and seventy prt-
Yates killed or wounded.
The Chinese are still confronting the
japanese division commanded by General
Tatsuml and fighting is expected shortly.
ThAT REPORTED MASSACRE At PORT ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, d. c., December 'l6.-A
telegram has been received ut the Japan
ese legation in relation 10 the atrocities al
legged 10 have been committed by Japanese
at the capture OF Port Arthur. The gov
ernment at Toxic is not yet in possession
of full details of the affair, but the infor.
nation already at hand shows conclusively
that some Of the reports which have been
circulated concerning the conduct OF the
japanese troops are exaggerated and mis-
leading. II there was any unnecessary
bloodshed the Japanese government can
not but believe that there must have been
SOME IScITiSG CAUSE,
for the behavior OF the Japanese troops
has hitherto been most exemplary, at
times, under circumstances calculated 10
excite feelings OF the deepest resentment
and animosity. 1t is known to be fact
that the great majority OF those Chinese
who were killed at Port Arthur were not
peaceful inhabitants. but Chinese soldiers
disguised in civilian dress Most OF the
inhabitants fled from the place several
days before its capture, aud at the present
time have returned and are pursuing their
ordinary avocations, without molestation
or restraint. The Japanese government and
its representatives have no disposition TO
conceal any Of the acts, but on the con-
trary has caused the strictest investiga'
ton, the results Of which will be promptly
made public.
STRONG DENIAL
SAN Francisco, December l6.-The
Chronicle to-day received the following
cablegram from its special correspondent,
now at Hiroshima, giving strong denial
to the reports OF butchery OF Chinese
civilians at Port Arthur, after the forts
were taken:
HIROSHIMA. JAPAN, December l6.-Con-
cerning the alleged massacre at Port Ar
thur, am assured by Ito that Yogi, Sec
retary General of the Imperial Cabinet says
that the reports were exaggerated. he
asks consideration of these facts:
First. That majority Of so-called Chi
nese civilians said 10 have been butchered
by japanese in Port Arthur were really
soldiers in plain clothes. This was estab-
lisbed by scores Of the slain.
Second, That the Chinese soldiers always
discard their uniform when In fight
Third, That most OF the civilians had
previously fed. Those who remained were
ARMED WITH RIFLES
and fired on the japanese.
Fourth, That the Mikado's forces, when
they marched into the fallen stronghold,
were highly excited 10 find that the bodies
of their captured comrades had been fear
fully mutilated. The Chinese garrison,
seeing that Port Arthur was doomed, had
put the japanese prisoners TO atrocious
death. The victors found the pinioned
bodies OF their fellow-soldiers ripped open
and sembowled, while some captives had
been burned alive. These atrocities and
the memory OF others committed by tho
Chinese since the beginning Of the war
enraged the Japanese beyond endurance,
vet nearly 100 Chinese prisoners were
taken by the Japanese when Port Arthur
fell. These will be sent 10 Toxic and as
kindly treated as others have been.
The wounded Chinese prisoners are
treated well, the Emperor's personal
physician being In charge OF the hos
pital.
TIE GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION.
TOXIC. December l6.-The ministry OF
Foreign aGairs informs the correspondent
of the Associated Press that the govern
nent investigations into the Port Arthur
excuses establish the following facts:
Previous to the capture OF that town the
Japanese were infuriated by the wholesale
atrocities perpetrated on their comrades.
Nevertheless, the Chinese who promptly
surrendered received no injury. Several
hundred Chinese are now In honorable
custody. A majority Of those In the town,
however, sought 10 disguise themselves In
the clothing left by the peaceaole inhaoit-
ants. most Of whom had left the place DAYS
before. When detected these disguised
soldiers
ATTACKED THE JAPANESE DESPERATELY
and treacherously killed many OF them.
Then discipline gave way aud great num-
bers were slain. II non-combatants were
killed. which Is not credited 20 auy large
extent, il was In the firm conviction that
they we're actual soldiers. IL Is reported
that the women were cut down In the dark
ness owing 10 the similarity OF
male and female garo. Through
three successive days. additional groups OF
concealed Chinese, were detected with mu-
tilatsd japanese corpse secreted among
them. Maddened anew By these discoveries
the couauerors destroyed hundreds whom
they otherwise would have spared. The
military authorities were totally unpre-
pared for these outbursts Of frenzy and
were poverless 20 exercise control over the
men.
PROTECTION TO FOREIGNERS.
SHANGHAI, December lo.-An Imperial
edict has been issued commanding the
1erdarmes Of Pekin 70 give special pro-
lection 70 the legations In that city, and 10
the residences Of foreigners.
Chief Justice Dead.
ST.. PAUL. MINI, December Ia
After an illness OF several weeks Chief
Justice James GillHiIsn, OF the Miuns.
so,a Supreme Bench. died today 10 his
sixiy.ffth year.
THE BEArHEG