Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-18
hl @@  @

LONDON, Sept. 17.-A Central News dis patch from Seoul, dated p. m. Septem- Der IS, says a great battle was fought at Ping Yang between Chinese and Japanese troops, in which the former were utterly routed.
 On Thursday a Japanese column from Pong San made a recon nassauce in force, drawing the fire of the Chinese forts and thus ascertained their positions. The col umn then fell back in good order, with little loss. By Friday night all the Japa- nese were in position for combined at- tack upon the enemy. The Gen San column threatened the flank of the Chinese, the Pong San column threatening the Chinese center, while the Wang Ju column oper- ateG against the right, which had been re- inforced the day before by detachment of marines from the fleet at the mouth of Tai tong rIver. The Chinese had utiliz-d the old defense at Ping Van, and had thrown up new works, making the position an ex- ceptionally strong one.
 The battle was opened Saturday at day. break by Japanese cannonade Of the Chi nese works, which was continued without cessation until the afternoon, the Chinese responding. The work with heavy guns showed good practice. About o'clock a body of infantry was thrown forward by the Japanese and maintained rifle fire upon the enemy until dusk.
 Throughout the day only the Pong San column was engaged. The Chinese de- lenses had suffered greatly, but the losses on either side were small, both the Chinese and Japanese having taken advantage of all available shelter. The Japanese troops, however, had gained some advanced posi- tions.
 Firing continued at intervals during the night, and in the meantime two Japanese hanking columns had formed a cordon around the Chinese and at 'clock in the morning an attack was made by the Japa- nese columns simultaneously and with ad- mirabie precision. The Chinese lines, which were 30 strong in front, were found to be weak in the rear, and here the attack was perfect success.
 The Chinese were completely taken by surprise and were thrown into panic. Hundreds were cut down, and those who escaped death fading themselves sur- rounded at every point broke and fled. Some of Viceroy u Hung Chang's Eu- ropean drilled troops stood their ground to the eastward and were cut down 10 a man. The Pong San column swarming over the defenses in front completed the work. Haif an hour after the attack opened the | positions at Ping Yang were in possession of the Japanese.
 It is estimated that 20. 900 Chinese sol- diers were engaged in the battle. The Japanese captured immense stores, provi- sions, munition of war and hundreds of colors. The Chinese loss IS estimated at CTS. Among those captured by the Japanese are several of the Chinese commanding officers, including Gen. Tzo Fung, com ander in chief of the Manchurian army, who was severely wounded.
 The Japanese loss was only thirty killed and 270wounded, including eleven officers. Most of the casualties among the Japanese occurred during the first days fighting and very few were the result of the night attack.
 The Japanese forces are in active pursuit of 1.-the tugi,ives who had thrown away their arms and readily yielded themselves prisoners. A desnltory war may be carried on for some time to come, but unless China shall succeed in getting another army into the peninsula Corea will undoubtedly re- main in possession of the Japanese.