The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-08-09
UnIISH AMI i;'= J'57nsrnN-
ARE NOW AT LIBERTY TO FIGHT
RIGHT,
AS Japan Has Notified the Powers That g
State of War Existed Between
the Two Countries
of Battle No. /.

| OF Battle NO. L.
TOXIC, Aug. 1.-The Japanese gov
eminent has informed the representa-.
tives of the foreign powers that state
OF war exists between Japan and
China. This is regarded as equivalent
to declaration of war.
DECLARATION OF WAR REPORT CON
FIRMED.
LONDON, Aug. 1.-The Exchange
Telegraph company declares that war
between China and Japan was de-
clared at noon today by Japan.
OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION.
LONDON, Aug. 10.-The earl of Kim.
berry upon receiving from the envoy
Of the Toxic government the official
notification that Japan had formally
declared war against China, declared
that Great Rritain remained neutral
in the matter, although the British
government would Immediately take
steps to safeguard British inhabitants
in the far East. So tar as the sinking
of the transport K0w Sung, flying the
British flag, is concerned, the envoy
was informed Great Britain waits the
the statement OF the captain of the
steamer before making any reply to
the apology offered By Japan.
CHINA TO FORMALLY DECLARE WAR,
LONDON, Aug. 1.-Mr. Hugh Mat
thieson of Hugh MatthiesOn ~ Co,
aud Jardine, Matthiegon d Co., London
and Shanghai, from whom the chi
nese transport Kow Shung, sunk by
a Japanese cruiser, was chartered,
received q dispatch today from Tien
Tsen, dateu Aug. l, saying that Col
Won Mennekin, formerly aide de-camp
of LII Kupg Chang, the viceroy of
China, who was on board the trans
port when she foundered, was saved.
The dispatch adds that board of in
curry has been opened at Tien Tsien
in order that all the facts in connec-
ton with the sinking of the KOW
Shung may be known. The dispatch
also says that it is reported at Tien
lsleu luuL " dI U6l "SOh SLlll0 uAh
Japan will be formally declared this
afternoon.
ACCOUNT OF BATTLE NO. 1.
YoKOHoMA, Aug. l The following
is the official account from the Japan
ese governments standpoint of the
battle which took place on July rs,
between the warships OF Japan and
China:
"The Chinese cruisers, the Chi Yuen
and the Kuwanii, were observed
steaming from kasan, and transport
carrying Chinese soldiers, assisted by
the Chinese warship Tsao kiang was
seen coming from Toxic towards
Kasan. The Japanese cruisers, Akit-
sausu, Yoshino and Naninwa met the
two Chinese warships near Panic
island. The Chinese did not salute,
but on the other hand they made war
like preparations.
sin order to get out of the narrow
waters in which they were situated,
the Japanese cruisers put to sea,
whereupon the Tsao Kiang pursued
the NaniWa. The Naniwa thereupon
put about and steamed towards the
two Chinese ships. The Chi Yuen
and the Kuwanii, however, retreated
and the Chi Yuen hoisted the white
flag above the Japanese naval ensign.
The Naniwa consequently delayed
firing upon the warship and then the
TRANSPORT crossed the bow of the
Naniwa. The latter fired a blank shot
and sigballed the transport to stop.
In the meantime the Chi 4uen had
approached under the Naniwa's stern
and within q distance of about 300
meters she discharged torpedo which
missed the Japanese warship. The
Naniwa then opened fire upon the
Chi Yuen and the Yoshine joined in
the action
"The Chi Yuen finally fled and was
pursued but not overtaken. The sec.
oud Chinese warshIp, the kunwanii,
had in the meantime been engaged
with the Japanese cruiser, Aitsksusu,
but like the Chi Yuen, she had fled
and took refuge between the shore
and shoa. The Transport carried six
guns and 100 soldiers on board. The
captain the Transport surrendered,
but the soldiers on board of her re-
fused to do so and resisted capture,
The Naniwa was ultimately oollged
to open fire upon the Transport and
sank her.
"The captain and mates were res
cued by boats of the Naniwa, 1t was
afterwards discovered that the trans
port was a British steamer, the kow
sun. ~he had on board four chiats
of battalion and Is colonies OF the
Chinese army.
The Japanese government, so soon
az it was informed of the sinking of
British ship, expressed its regrets,
declaring to the British charge DAT
fairs that if, after an inquiry had been
made and Japan was found to be
wrong, the Japanese government was
pre- pared to make full reparation for
the loss sustained"
The naval engagement OF July 20.
should not be confounded with the
naval battle fought on July 80, nor
should the Chi Yuen, q Chinese I'M
armored ship of $500 tons, in the first
encounter, be contOunded with the
Chinese armored batlleship CHEN
Hueu, 1900 tons, reported sunk in the
second fight