The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-08-13
POOR Ii HUNG CHANG.
THE EMPEROR DIYESTS HIN OF HIS
YELLOW RIDING coat,
Also, His Peacock Feaiher-The Late In
Gacement Between the Chinese ana
Japanese-Ihe Japs RepuIsed

Shanghai, August 12.-The Japanese
squadron that attacked Wei Wal Wei Fri
day. consisted OF twentysX vessels. Ii Is
not definitely known how many OF the
fleet were men of war. The w2rShipS drew
up in line of battle off the port anu opened
fire early Friday morning. Tnefe were HOS
Chinese warships in the vicinity and the
engagement was entirely between the Japa-
neso men of war and the forts. The Where-
abouts of the Chinese fleet was unknown
The forts, however, were able, without
much difficulty to repulse the attacN
About fifty shots were exchanged put no
material damage was done on either size.
The soldiers manning the guns OF the loI-
tifcations showed themselves 10 ne IA
mentally deficient in craftsmanship. Mo9e
oil of their shots were ill-drected, the
shells either falling short OF the Vessels
aimed at or going wide Of their marh9,
When the fleet Withdrew IL pfoceeueu -
Port Arthur. which place it attacked frl-
A., evening Little. if any, damage was
done at this latter place. The operations
are regarded as having been not attempts
to capture either Wei Wal WEI OF 1oIt
Arthur. but simply ruse on the part u
the Japanese commander to ascertain thc
exact position and strength OF the chinese
guns at the two places.
on Thursday last two small Chinese gun
boats were SlShted COINS a. AHii -
the direction of Tien-Tsn.
Chuns's Rifle Factory burned.
San Francisco, August 12.-News from
Hankow, China. is that great calamity
has befalen the Viceroy Chang, of Hu
Kuano in the total loss of the rifle factory
which he had Just completed at Han fun3.
The viceroy had been working ON this lac-
tory for several years, and he eXpecteu IL
to demonstrate that Chinese Workneh
could turn out as good guns as foreigners.
He also expected to fill large orders for
the government to supply troops Tor Corea.
Just at this time some workmen who had
been discharged, set fire to the buildings
and they were destroyed, and all the cost
Nv machinery ruined. The buildings would
not have burned had the vceroy followed
his architects advice, but he INSISTED on
using wooden bearings and supports Tor
the roof instead of iron. The flames spread
so rapidly that nothing could be saved
and in four hours the great works We're
heap of ashes, The total loss Will reach
81, 900 1t is doubtful If the viceroy will
be able to raise funds for rebuilding the
works, as he met with great opposition
from those who hate all European inno-
vations.
Discipline of the Japanese.
Chemulpo correspondent gives
graphic account of the way over 1900
japanese troops We're landed at that port
early in July within four days. The troops,
he said, were admirably equipped and un-
der perfect discipline. Boats from the
cruisers in the harbor and hired transports
landed the men, work going by night
under the powerful searchlights of the men
OF war; The troops brought everything
they could possibly need, including ltindling
wood and the materials for an army tele-
graph line.
About half the force was pushed on to-
ward Seoul, where it took possession of all
the commanding positions near the capital.
This move will cost China dear if she at
tempts to capture Seoul. The remaining
troops went into camp near ChemG'po,
whica the japanese engineers fortified in
scientific style. ALI the foreigners We're
struck with the perfect discipline of the
Japanese.
Took LIS Peacock Feather.
London, August 12.-The Shanghai CORE
spondent OF the Central News has been
able to obtain from an official Chinese
source full confirmation of the report that
Ii Hung Chang had been reproved and de-
graded by the emperor for dilatoriness III
prosecuting the war. The correspondent
says:
The emperor expressed his displeasure at
the backward disposition of the soldiers,
censured Lii Hung Chang for remissness,
and in a secret decree deprived him of the
yellow coat and the peacock feather and
reduced him in rank three degrees.
Nevertheless Ii Hung Chang retains Of
fee. ana, inaSmuch as he has been given
entire charge Of the naval and military
forces, enjoys all the privileges of victory
The correspondent says the incident is
entirely comprehensive to anybody CON
versant with Chinese customs.
In British naval circles the Japanese at
tacks upon Wei-hai-Wei and Port Arthur
are regarded as daring TO rashness and the
pluck of the Japanese is praised unstintnS-
~. The attacks are compared to a supp0-
sitlous attack 10y the British upon Toulon.
Wei-hai-Wet and Port Arthur have ex-
ceedlngly strong defense. Moreover, ac-
cordin., to the testimony of Captain Lang
ana others conversant with the tacts. the
Chinese are expert torpcdoists and sunners.
II is assumed that the japanese attack is
part of a scheme keep the Chinese fleet
in the gulf of Pe-chl-LA, while Japan
paurs troops into COrea.