Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-04

interests Of American citizens, merchants,
missionaries and tourists, and the United
States war ships on the Asiatic station
have been placed at their disposal for that
purpose. 1t IL said. further. that no COM
nunication has been reoeived from the
mission board of the Presbyterian Church
on this subject and that none is necessary
as the representatives of the government
have already been fully instructed in the
matter.
state Department. Denies.
A strong denial is entered at the State
department Of the published story that the
United States has or will enter into a.
treaty with European powers to forcibly
occupy and keep open the treaty ports In
China Ii is also denied that any overtures
% that end have come to us from other
countries When the conditions were such
That war was only threatened the United
States did use its good Offices to avert the
evil IL did so to carry out solemn obliga-
oon Imposed upon US by the treaty with
Corea whereby We bound ourselves to pro-
tect COTea in the following terms: IF other
powers deal unjustly or oppressively with
either government. the other will exert
their good offices. ON being informed Of the
case, 10 bring about an amCable arrange
ment, thus showing their friendly feelings"
This obligation was entered into in 1852,
and IL was under its terms that the Pres
fdent Indicated to Japan that he would be
panied should she infiIct an unjust war
upon Corea- That was far as the United
States could go in the exercise of our good
of1cess and, besides, the shifting of the war
cloud from Corea to China, as a party, re-
ueved Us of the necessity for further action.
Policy of the United States.
1t is said at the State Department that
the attitude of the United States toward the
belligerents in the present war will be pat
termed upon our. course at Rio. We will
side with neither China nor Japan, but as
was Indicated by Mr.. Bayard, our ambassa-
dor to Great Britain. who is fully aware Of
what Is going on, the attitude of the United
states will be one of benevolent neutral
1ty. This is in keeping with our traditions
and It's prudence and safety has been amply
demonstrated in the past. AS far as our
own commerce is concerned. We Will accord
IL such measure of protection and immunity
from interference as may be justly claimed
as our rights, but the present disposition at
the State Department is to do jnis iu1i-
vidually and not in concert with European
nations. In other words, while we may act
as DO other powers upon this point, will
not be party to any joint treaty or COM
bination the object of which is forcib!e in
reference in China or Japan. Doubtless II
will develop that in many points We NAV
act In accord with other commercial powers.
out as IL remained for US at Rio 70 adopt
bold and radical course single handel, so
IL may be In China or Japan that We shall
act Independently upon certain condition
of affairs.
At present we are scarcely in n position
TO make much of a naval demonstra don in
Asiatic waters. The entire United states
Meet there now consists of two vessels, the
Baltimore and the MOnocacy. About a week
ago orders were sent to Bering sea to have
the Concord and the Petrol sent over to
Join the station, and that Is all that has
been done in that direction SO far Secre-
tary Herbert before leaving Washington for
Alabama last night said that he had given
no further orders for reinforcements and
Acting Secretary McAdoo has not noyed
IN the matter today.
JnDnnss Enrmul
The japanese legation has received a tele-
gram announcing that on August l an i'm
perfal rescrfpt was issued by the Emperor
OF Japan. formally announcing that war had
been declared against China. Mr. Miyoaka
the japanese charge, probably will COM
muntcate this formal declaration of war To
Secretary Gresham today.
The News Confirmed.
The japanese legation received a tele-
gram today which fully confirms yester-.
days telegram with reference to the de-
feat OF the Chinese forces In Corea, and
shows that the engagement referred to was
the same as that at Asan, or Yashan which
kilograms from Shanghai and Tfen Tsln
Described as a Chinese victory, and in which
had been killed
The telegram contains the substance of
an cincial bulletin from Gen. Oshima COM
handing the japanese forces in Corea
AT am on the 18th of July the Japanese
advanced on the Chinese Entertainments
at Shan Yong, and after several hours
severe fighting won a decisive victory.
The Chinese entertainments were captured
and the whole force of about 5000 men was
PUT 10 rout, with loss of over 500 killed
and wounded
the japanese loss was Ave officers and
seventy men killed and wounded The en-
tire camp equippage OF the Chinese a great
Quantity of arms and munitions Of war in
cILdlnS Tour cannon and many flags were
captured The Chinese troops, the dispatch
ssys. fed in complete disorder, with the
intention, Gen. Oshma thought of endeay-
or'nS 10 escape by means of Corean boats at
Gunsan.
The japanese were In pursuit when the
report was forwarded. General Oshima
took possession of the Chinese headuuar-
tiers at Gasan or Yashan.
Prcsby terian Church's Recommendation
Acting under instructions from the execu-
tive committee of the board of foreign mis-
sions Of the Southern Presbyterian Church
the Rev. DR.. j. W. Bachman, its representa-
tive here. has called on Secretary Gresham
and the Japanese charge d'affaires to ask
that n easures be taken to protect the mis-
sionaries Of the church In the east Sec
retary Gresham told Mr.. Bachman that he
did not think there was any immediate dan
ger 10 the missionaries. but that they would
De protected. AT the japanese legation tina
reverend gentleman inquired into the status
OF the missionaries. and was assured that
they were perfectly safe in Japan
The Southern Presbyterian Church has
less than a dozen missionaries In COrea and
these. it is believed. can be accommodated
on board a United States man-of-war
should their lives be endangered. In China
there are about fifty. some few of whom are
IN the Northern province and il is regard
ing these that the board feels some concern.
1hey probably viii be ordered to Shanghai
-