The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-27
CUTE JAPANESE.
Too Smart For Movements
of Their Adversaries.
Story Of an Eye Witness OF the Great
Fight on the Yalu.
Bv The Associated Press

SHANGHAI, Sept 27,-An eye witness
gives the following account of the naval
battle of Sept. /: While eight Chinese
warships were lying at the entrance TO tho
Yalu river IL Japanese vessels hove in
sight. The japanese ships advanced in
single line, while the Chinese fleet as
sumed N-shaped formation, with the
flagship nj the apex.
In consequence of this, half the Chinese
vessels were rendered useless. The Japan
ese, in passing, opened fire upon the Chi
nese, who replied TO the best of their
ability. After the battle had been in
progress for a short time, the Chinese fleet
altered it's formation. The japanese fleet
kept steaming in circle around the Chi
ness.
Suddenly the Japanese withheld their
fire, but after quarter of an hour had
elapsed resumed the attack and poured a
hot fire into the enemy. The Chinese
Armstrong cruiser went out of line, con-
trary TO orders steamed alongside of one
of the japanese ships and sunk her.
The Chinese cruiser was sunk shortly
afterward. About this time two Chinese
warships, which had been on guard up the
Yalu river, hearing the firing Joined the
fleet and took part in the battle. This in
creased the number of Chinese ships en-
gagged to 10.
A short time afterward another Chinese
ship was sunk and two others ran ashore,
caught fire and were abandoned. After
six hours fighting
The Japanese Fleet Withdrew.
The Chinese ships followed them, but
were unable TO overtake them. It is pre-
sumed that the japanese ships retired be-
cause they had become short of ammuni-
ton.
The damage to the Chih-Yuen is chiefly
In her woodwork, which is nearly all
burned away. She also received about
200 shot holes in her sides, mostly from
machine guns. None of the shots pierced
her armor more than three inches.
The Chen Yuen had l20 shot holes in her
sides, and is generally in the same condi-
tion as the Chh-Yuen. When the Ting
Yuan (the Chen Yuen's sister ship arrived
at Port Arthur she was three feet downs
by the head.
1t will require two months TO make the
necessary repairs To the Chinese fleet. One
japanese ship was certainly sunk, and
two others were supposed to have gone to
the bottom.
The maneuvering of the japanese ships
was excellent. All their signals were exc
cuted by flag and were promptly answered
throughout the battle. The Chinese ships
had scarcely any ammunition left.
Japanese warships are cruising on the
Shang-Tung coast, presumably looking
for Chinese transports and cruisers.
Not Yet Bcbeaded.
The report of the beheading of the two
japanese students accused Of being spies
and who were surrendered by the United
Soates consul general at shanghai, tc
whom they had appealed for protection, Is
untrue. The Japanese are in Chinese Gus.
tody awaiting trial
The cruiser Kwang-Kai stranded on a
reef near Talien bay while trying to escape
during the progress Of the battle off the
Yalu. She was afterwards blown up by
the Japanese This make a total Chinese
loss in the battle of five ships, including
one which was accidently ranmed by the
Chinese battleship TsiYuen, while the
latter was endoavoring to ram vessel OF
the enemy's fleet