The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-25

oct no information that Is not believed TO
be strictly true. and though Ii has been
misled in few political matters by state
ments from Shanghai, it sanctions the
publication of no war news that has not
been fully tested. With regard to the
operations near Pingyang Ii maintains
close silence, in order tha; important in
teiligence shall not reach the enemy
through any channel. At the same time.
II heavy disaster TO Japan occurred, such
as are almost daily proclaimed in China, IL
could not possibly be kept secret Up TO
this date II is certain that nothing more
serious than undecisivs skirmishes has
taken place.
Japanese government securities have
declined from to 10 per cent since the
beginning of the war.
The Chinese general in command near
Pingyang has followed the example of the
kiangnan arsenal director and offered re-
wards for the capture or proof of death OF
japanese soldiers. These promises have
stimulated the Korean peasantry, who
give outlying Japanese guards and scouts
much annoyance.
Less than forty Europeans and Ameri-
cans remain in Korea, apart from the
guards a. the legations IN Seoul. Before
the war there were 1000 small Japanese
merchants and about zoo Chinese residents
at the open ports. The Chinese have
mostly disappeared and the Japanese are
waiting for later developments. The
foreign department of Japan has given
notice that duly accredited newspaper COR
respondents may hereafter accompany the
military forces of the empire, and will
receive all consideration that can reason
ably be given by the commanders of the
troops.
The murder of two missionaries by
Chinese soldiers has been followed by the
assassination of a French customs officer
on the frontier of Tonquin. These acts of
violence are greatly embarrassing the
Picking authorities at the present time,
and il Is announced that reparation will
be offered in the case of the Rev. Mr..
Wylie by executing his assail:nts, rebuild
ing the wrecked chapel and paying sum
of money to the family of the victim.
English newspapers in Shanghai state
that the unprecedented step will be taken
of expressing regret in an imperial edict,
a form of atonement which assuredly
would never have been vouchsafed in less
troubled times. As regards the outrages
on Frenchmen, the ships of war of that
nation will demand reparation.
The work OF strengthening the defenses
along the Chinese coast is continued,
mainly by posting floating batteries at
points of supposed danger. The garrisons
in Formosa have been further reinforced.
Japanese newspapers announce. appar-
emily by authority, that the applications
for war bonds already exceed the total
amount of the loan.
Recent surveys lead to the belief that
the coal supply OF Japan, hitherto sup
posed to be almost inexhaustible, is in
fact, extremely limited. The Yakishima
mine will probably cease to yield in fifteen
years. and the Mike deposits are expected
TO last only fifty years. Unless new dis
of which there is some hope, Japan will
then have to look abroad for coal.
The trophies captured by the Japanese
at Seikwan and Asan will soon be exhib-
tied in Tokyo. Among these is an uLfin-
ished letter, written by the Chinese Gen.
Yeh, which was found in his tent, and
which was evidently intended for his
superior officer at Tientsin. The follow
ing quotations have been published:
'The Japanese soldiers are all weak and
useless. They can not march IN one day
half the distance of our troops. Their
only reliance is on their mines. To attack
the army at Seoul our ships should block
the harbor of Jinsen while we march from
Asan. Thus hemmed in, they will sur
render without lighting"