The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-09-13
THE WAR IN THE ORIENT
JAPAN is BLAMED FOR THE KOW
SHUNG INCIDENT.
The Commission Find Her to Have Been
the Aggressor-Chinese Army in
Coera in Deplorable Condi-
tion-Badly Provisioned.

LONDON, Sept. ia dispatch to
the Times from Wei Hal Wei today
says that a commission composed of
foreigners, after examining the Incl
dents of the naval fightof July 26,
declare that the Japanese were the
agglessors. The Chinese, the com.
mission adds, were careful to avoid
the appearance of provocation, but the
Japanese waylaid the Chinese, selects
ing a good position. The Chinese
senior ship escaped, making a running
fight. The second Chinese ship fought
until her ammunition was exhausted
and two of her guns were destroyed.
The same morning it appears the
japanese arrived from Seoul and at
tackled the Chinese at Asan, These
operations were evidently we'll con-
cocted. The Chinese fleet, according to
the Times dispatch, is now coaling
at Wei Hei Wei, and is in per-
fectfighting trim. The Chen Yuen
has been repaired and is recruiting
seamen freely. An excellent esprit
de corps exists among the Chinese
sailors and they are waiting orders to
enable them to assert the supremacy
of China in Corean waters. Continu-
ing, the Times correspondent calcu-
lates that both the Chinese and Jap
enese armies in Corea are seemingly
inactive. The Japanese have ordered
the COreans to cut their hair as a
token of subsection. The Coreans re-
fused to do so, preferring to fight for
their liberty.
A dispatch received here from
Shanghai today says that advices res
ceived there from various sources say
that the Chinese army in Northern
Core9 is in deplorable condition.
The Chinese generals are reported to
have proved themselves to be grossly
incompetent and the officers of lower
grades are discontented and disheart-
ened, while the rank and file of the
Chinese army are exhausted and dis
pirited.
What roads there were in that por-
tion ofthe country month ago have
been washed away by the floods and
consequently it is impossible to trans
port guns, ammunition and food
through Manchuria in Corea for the
Chinese army. Quantities of guns,
ammunition and food previously sent
southwark have been blocked in
different parts parts Of the county by
the bad state of the roads and the
food and ammunition are said to be
spelling all along the route south
ward AS result food IL becoming
very scarce in the Chinese army
although they are doing their best to
live ON the country But the country
is poor and although the Coreans pro-
fess a willingness to help the Chinese
they send in very little in the way of
supplies.
According to the dispatch referred
to the pretense of Chinese naval &C
tivity is absurd. The Japanese are
said 10 be maintaining such strict
blockade of the Corean coast that not
even the smallest vessel can get
through. Hundreds of Chinese sol.
diers are reported to have died of
want and exposure, and much sick
ness is said to exist in their ranks.
On the other hand the Japanese are
said to he much better prepared for
active operations. They have sue
ceeded in keeping their line of COM
municstiOn open and have pushed
their forces forward until they are
Threatening the Chinese flank. The
position of the latter with winter rap
idly advancing threatens to become
uutenable. Regarding the naval OPP
erations of the Chinese the Shanghai
dispatch says that orders were sent
from PekIn over fortnight ago for all
the Chinese squadrDns to concentrate
in the gulf of Pc Chi Ii, hut 1t appears
that the orders were never carried out
and it is now announced that the
Chinese naval plans have again been
modified, peremptory orders having
been sent for three OF the most power.
full vessels Of the southern squadron
to join Admiral Ting's feet in the
north without delay. When these re.
Inducements arrive it is also asserted
the Chinese feet will commence opera.
tions in real earnest against Japan,
No confidence whatever is felt In
Admiral TiDg's ambition to hold
even the gulf of Pc Chi Ii az ainst the
Japanese fleet. and consequently
many steamers belonging to Japan
ese firms are being transferred to the
British flag.
The raising Of money for war pur-
poses proceeds. Traders and others
possessing property are receiving par
ticular attention upon the part OF the
mandsrins. Three merchants OF
ShaDgung who showed some hesita-
tion in complying with the official de-
mands had their property confscated.