Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-27

being made.
Not Officially Announced.
TEN TSIN. China. July 1.-THE gravity
OF the situation is fully realized here now
that hostilities between China and Japan
have commenced. While no formal deca-
ration of war. according to the usual diplo-
matte forms. has been made, either at
Toxic or ut Pekin. the governments of both
countries recognize that an actual state of
war exists. and more collisions between the
forces OF the two countries are expected
hourly. Considerable anxiety is expressed
here as to the result of the The gen.
eral opinion seems to be that while Japan
may De looked upon as likely to score the
nrSt victories, the Chinese troops will
eventually drive the japanese out of Corea,
even If millions of men have to be sent to
the front 70 do 50.
In government circles here it Is admitted
that China and Japan are now at war. al
though the official announcement to that
effect may not be made for several days. as,
at the suggestion OF the representatives of
the powers, pourparlers still in progress
and there is a vague chance yet that in
spite of the commencement of hostilities
some amieabie arrangements may be
rivedsat
Should this be the case. the naval en-
gaSements already known to have taken
place between the Chinese and Japanese
Meets will be mutually disavoWed. Other
wise these collisions will be held to con-
stitute a caSus belli. But, to all intents
and purposes. war has been declared
A Chinese Transport Attacked.
TIEN-TSIN. July 2T.-The first overt act
Of war. already cabIed exclusively to the
Associated Press. occurred on Tuesday last.
The Japanese fired on and sunk the steam
ship kow Shung. belonging to Hugh
MathiesOn * Co. of London, which had
been chartered by the Chinese government
to convey troops to Corea. Full details of
this engagement are not yet obtainable, as
the real facts in the case are carefully with
heid from the pubic, and VIII be so with
held until there is no longer the slightest
chance of aVertinS a bloody war between
China and Japan. But. according to report,
a japanese cruiser sighted the Kow Shuns
and ran within easy range of her. She
then signaled the transport to put back.
The transport continued steamiug ahead,
and the cruiser fired a shot across her
boats. No attention being paid to this. &C
coIding Il the story, the Japanese cruiser
opened fire upon the transport in earnest.
put number of shot into her. and the
transport eventually sank with all hands
The number of people drowned is not
known. but it is believed that there must
have been about thousand Chinese SOL
diers on board This. however. is mere con-
lecture
A number of Chinese vessels. which have
been intimately connected with the Mathie-
son steamers in the Chinese coast trade have
been taken over by Hugh MaibiesOn q
Company and will hereafter hy the British
dag.
The Two Navies impaired.
So far the two navies are concerned
China has about thirty warships, large and
small. of which five fairly good armored
ships armed with KrUpp guns. In addition
she has chartered a number Of transports,
sand these are being armed rapidly as
possible and with the best guns China is
able to procure.
On the other hand. the Japanese navy con-
ssts of about thirty war vessels including
five armored ships, carrying Krupp guns.
So far as SaeshipS are concerned il will,
therefore. be seen the two navieS in numbers
are about evenly matched, although the
Chinese battleshipS carry heavier guns than
those Of Japan But it Is believed that
Jspdn's naval officers are superior to those
of China and the japanese warsbips also
believed TIC be n better condition than the
Chinese. The war however, is not likely to
be decided by sea fights. CoTea is i penin-
suia, virtuHly forming part of China. ard
down this peninsula from the nclth China
can and will, If necessary, pour array after
army. until she drives the Japanese into the
sea- Japan * able, no doubt to defend her
self In her own territory against any inya
sep be conteInpla ted But nobody mere be-
reeves that China viii make am. such at
tempt She will. 1t is said. Concentrate army
after army. land them in Corea il possible
and IL She is unable to d. This sh,. Will
N arch them from the north into Corea until
by sheer force Of numbers the japanese will
give way.
Si:nnfion at seoul.
Very little accurate news 10 obtaihabie
here iron Seoui.-th capital Of Corea 1t is
known, however. that the British and
United States warships at Chemulpo have
lshded detachments of marines which have,
beer sent to Seoul in orier tn protect the
respective legations of Great Britain and the
Cnited states At Seoul a conflict is said to
nave taken place between the Japanese and
some Chinese and Corean soldiers with the
result that the Japanese Were victorious.
shortly after~ard, still according to re
port the Japanese made a prisoner of the
King Ct CoTea. and. it is said that they
nave either ent him. or intend to send him
TO Japan. where he will be detained until
the war is over.
RurlOr also has it that there has been a
second light at sea between Japanese and
Chinese warships. Japanese cruiser is
said to have engaged Chinese cruiser con-
yoyins transport. with the result tina, the
Chinese ship was sunk. This report how
ever, may have reference to the sinking of
the kow Shung, already referred to- al
though the sinking of this steamer Is said
10 nave occurred on Tuesday last, and TIE
second engagement is reported to have
taken place On Wednesday.
Reported Naval Endorsement.
YOKOHAMA. July 2I.-CabIe communal
cation between Japan and Corea is inter-
rupted, but it is ruHored here in semi-of-
hired upon a Chinese warsnip al Kasan up
On receiving hostile provocation
The sc.ys Confirmed.
Secretary Herbert has received a cable
gram, dated yesterday. from Capt Day of
the United steamer Baltimore now at
ChemuipO. Corea, stating that the King of
Corea is captive in the hands Of the Jap
anese. and that he has dispatched a force
OF marines from + is ship to Seoul. the cap
ltal. to protect the United States legation
There were no advices received at the
State Department today confirmin, the re-
port OF the declaration of war between
China and Japan. and the japanese minis
ter who called at the department today to
arrange for mis- farewell call upon the pres
ldent. was also without information to that
Meet.
Nr. TntenO's Farewell
II Is expected that the visit to the White
House will be made on Monday and that
the retiring minister will take his depar-
ture at once for Japan. Some surprise is
manifested in diplomatic circles at the
haste displayed in his departure in view of