The Indianapolis journal., 1894-07-28
NO LONGER ANY DOUBT.
CONFIRMATION from Tien-Tsin that the
Two Nations Are Fighting.

TIEN-TSIN, China. July 2.-The gravi
ty of the situation is fully realized here,
now that hostilities between China and ia
pan have begun. While no formal declara-
ton of war. according to the usual diplo-
matte forms, has been made. either at
Toxic or at Pekin. the governments of
both countries recognize that actual
state of war exists. and more collisions
between the forces of the two countries
are expected hourly. There is vague
chance yet that. in spite of the beginning
OF hostiities, some amicable arrangements
may be arrived at Should this be the
case. the naval ngagements already known
to have taken place between the Chinese
and Japanese fleets will be mutually dis
avowed. Otherwise these collisions Will be
held TO constitute casus beli. To all in
tents and purposes, war has been declared.
Nobody here close TO the authorities at
Pekin believes for a moment that the dis
putes can be settled without bloodshed.
The Chinese and the Japanese hate each
other. and now that the first shots have
been exchanged, and China has had the
worst OF the engagements, nothing but
decisive struggle between the two coun-
tries can be anticipated. Japan has been
preparing for this very crisis for years.
ana Tor this reason, II for no other, she
will resent any European interference.
The first overt act of war occurred on
Tuesday last. The Japanese fired on and
sunk the steamship Kow Shung. belonging
TO Hugh Mathieson & Co. OF London which
mad been chartered by the Chinese govern
ment TO convey troops to Corea. Full de-
talls OF this engagement are not yet OBJ
talnaole. as the facts are carefully with
held from the public, and will be so with
heid until there is no longer the slightest
cnance OF averting a bloody war between
China and Japan. But according to adj
vices received, a Japanese cruiser Sighted
the kow Shung and ran within easy range
CT her. She then signaled the transport to
put back. The transport continued steam
me ahead, until the cruiser fired a shot
across her bows No attention being paid
10 this, according to the story, the Japan
eSe cruiser opened fire upon the transport
IN earnest, put number of shot into her
ana the transport eventually went down.
drowned is not known, but il is believed
tnat there must have been about one thou
sand Chinese soldiers on board.
20 far as the two nayieS are concerned
emma has about thirty war ships large
and small, of which five are fairly good
armored ships armed with Krupp guns. In
addition, she has chartered a number of
transports, and these are being armed as
rapidly as possible, and with the best guns
CHINA is able to procure On the other
hand, the japanese navy consists of about
thirty war vessels including five armored
ships carrying Krupp guns. Chinese battle
snlps carry heavier guns than those of ia
pan, but IL is believed the Japanese naval
officers superior to those Of China and
the japanese war ships are also believed to
be in better condition than the Chinese.
The war, however, is not likely to be de-
cided by sea fights. Corea is a peninsula
virtually forming a part of China, and into
this peninsula from the north China can
pour army after army until she drives the
Japanese into the sea. Japan is able. no
doubt. TO defend herself In her lown terri
tory against a Chinese invasion, but no.
body here believes that China will make
any such attempt
1t is known that the British and United
States war ships at Chemupo have landed
detachmentS OF marines. which have been
sent to Seoul in order to protect the lega-
tons of Great Britain and the United
States. At Seoul conflict is said to have
taken place between the Japanese and some
Chinese and Corean soldiers, the Japanese
being victorious. Shortly afterwards the
Japanese made a prisoner of the King of
CCrea, and ii is said that they have either
sent him or intend to send him to Japan
where he will be detained until the war
is over. Rumor also has il that there has
been second fight at sea between Jap
aneSe and Chinese war ships. A Japanese
cruiser is said to have engaged a Chinese
cruiser conveying a transport, sinking the
Chinese cruiser. This report however
may have reference TO the sinking of the
Kow ShJing. already detailed although the
sinking of this steamer is said to have oc-
Cured on Tuesday last and the second en-
gagement Is reported to have taken place
on Wednesday.