Birmingham age-herald., 1894-07-28
CHINA AND JAPAN Have at Last Come Together in a
 Pitched Battle,
AND THE FORMER WORSTED
The Corean King Captive in the Hands of the
 Japanese.

SHANGHAI, July 27.-The Chinese trans port sunk off the Corean coast by Japanese guns belonged to the fleet of eleven steamers, which sailed from Taku Friday, July 20, with 12 ,C00 troops. The fleet left T'aku under escort of eight gum boats. The majority of the transports pre- ceeded slowly with the gun boats, while the faster ones steamed at full speed, so as to land their troops as soon as possible. On the transports which arrived first at the Corean coast were few hundred soldiers from the army of the north. Most of the force, however, consisted of coolies with sinferior firearms, or merely bows and arrows.
 The attack upon the steamers from the Japanese guns last Wednesday is described briefly in dispatch received this evening" The firing was begun by Japanese bat tery from the shore, while the Chinese officers were trying to debark their men from the northernmost steamers. The cruisers then steamed up and opened fire on all the transports which were lying to !, waiting to discharge the men. The Chi nese were unable to make any effective re- sistance. They were thrown into great confusion, and many jumped overheard to escape the hot fire under which the two transports suffered severely.
 The Chinese officials here do not con firm tn6se ulSpdlcneS. Iney are exceeding s " reticent as to every report concerning hos tilities in Corea. The beginning of hos tilities has caused keen excitement among all classes here. Business is virtually sus pended, although many smaller firms have made desnltory efforts to sustain their trade.
 The position of the Japanese residents is precarious. For weeks the more prosper ous Japanese have been leaving the city, but many of the poorer and middle class remain. with the city will remain. Tue Sikh police will be strong enough to protect them from Chinese fanatics. The viceroy is confident that the northern army is suf- ficiently strong to cope with the Japane SC force, and he does not intend to employ the southern army except in case of ex- treme necessity.
 The mobilization proceeds rapidly, and the preparations for embarking large bodies of troops are meeting with unexpected energy. The Chinese government bought two large steamers yesterday and are under negotiations for others.
 The Japanese announce that they hold the king of Corea as a hostage until the international reforms demanded by them shall be guaranteed. In Seoul excitement is at a white heat. There has been con siderable disorder and an uprising of the people may come at any momeut.
 WAR DECLARED
 AND so ANNOUNCED BY KNOWING ONES IN
 LONDON.
 LONDON, July 27.-A dispatch received here today from Lloyd's agent at Shanghai confirms the announcement that war be- tween China and Japan has been declared. Photographic communication with Corea is interrupted, and the widest rumors are in circulation.
 Hugh Matheison & Co.,, the Chinese gov ernment agents in England, today received a cable which also con firms the announce. ment that war has been declared between China and Japan. Neither the British government or Chinese or Japanese lega- tions have official advices of the declaration of war.