The morning call., 1894-09-17

lllning Sklrmlshes are supposed TO be in
| stlgated by the japanese to occupy the at
tention of the adversary, while q strong
body proceeds northward through the east
ern districts of the peninsula, intending TO
strike the Chinese in the rear and If posi-
| BILE compel their surrender before they
have an opportunity to escape. Projects
of a march across the frontier at Wiju and
an advance upon Peking by land are dis
cussed, though with much caution. Direct
information is very sparingy vOuchsafed,
but not the slightest symptom of uneas-
ness can be detected in any or the Govern
ment offices.
General Count Yamagata is about to
take command of the entire Japanese
forces in and about Korea, both military
and naval He is one of the oldest Off
GERS now in the service and began his
career in the war of imperial restoration,
1868. He held the post of Minister of War
many years. and has for brief term been
Prime Minister of the Government. Lieu
tenan t-General Nozu remains at the head
of the troops and Admiral Kabayama in
control of the naval branch.
Up to the present time no American or
European correspondents have been per-
mitted TO follow the Japanese troops in
the field, the objection being that it would
be impossible to prevent them from circu-
latIng information that might be useful to
the enemy. Representatives of Japanese
newspapers are allowed to go in all direc-
tlons and may send kilograms free of
charge over the Government wires, but
these privileges are limited by rigid GEN.
sorship which forbids the publication of
all news that has not passed under official
supervision. Enterprise is of little avail.
On more than one occasion intelligence
has been received By Toxic journals some
time in advance of its arrival at the War
or Navy Department, and, though entirely
favorable to the Japanese side, its appear
ance in print has been prohibited until
after full details had reached the Govern
ment from its own agents. The necessity
for due caution is recognized by the press,
but the rule requiring active newspapers
TO suppress their information to suit the
slow ministerial processes is loudly CON-
planned of.
A sensation has been caused in Toxic
by the action of a European correspond
ent, who Oh July a undertook TO send a
telegram stating that japan bad declared
war. As this was untrue and as the pre-
mature announcement might have seli-
| ously prejudiced Japan's interests the
telegraphic authorities declined to trans
nit bis message, whereupon he crossed to
Shanghai and telegraphed thence that no
reliance could be placed upon news pro-
ceeding from Japan, as all communica-
ti0ns were submitted to rigorous censor
ship. AS matter of fact no foreigner
sending genuine intelligence has been in
| terfered with and dispatches over the
wires have gone freely to American and
European papers.
Eight of the national banks of Toxic
have subscribed for bonds of the war loan
to the amount collectively of 20.010,000
yen. The largest subscription is that of
the Fifteenth National bank, 1000, 900 yen.
Frequently accusations appear in Japan
ese newspapers of nwarranted acts of
partiality committed by British officials
in China's favor. Admiral Freemantle is
charged with having interfered with one
of Japan's naval operations by ordering a
salute to Japanese admiral at an inop-
perfume moment and thus giving warning
to the enemy. The story lacks confirma-
tory evidence. But it is certain that in
spite of the British proclamation of neu-
trality English merchant ships carrying
munitions OF war to Chinese naval stations
have sailed from Shanghai without OBJ
struction by the Consul
Business in Korea Is much disordered.
owing to the scarcity of silver and sud-
den lack of confidence in Japanese paper
money, which has hitherto circulated
virtually at par. The agencies of the
Japanese national banks have tried every
means to arrest the decline of paper, which
now stands at 40 per cent discount but
thus far their efforts have been in vain.
The deprec iation began with the whole
sale departure of the Chinese merchants,
who exchanged large quantities of notes
for silver, which they carried home with
them. The Koreans, having little knowl-
edge OF financial matters and putting great
faith in China's shrewdness. fear that the
notes have become worthless and gen.
orally refuse to accept them.
The United States legation in Seoul is
guarded by twenty-one marines and
twenty-four sailors of the Baltimore under
the following officers: Captain G. f.
Elliott, Ensigns 6. n. Hayward and H.
G. Macfarland, Naval Cadet C. c. TeweI,
Passed Assistant Surgeon P. n. Bryant
and Pay Clerk James Schow. The British
legation is guarded by thirty sailors and
marines, the Russian legation by forty
five sailors and the German legation by
twenty-five sailors.
1t is expected that early in September
the customs service at the open ports of
Korea will be taken over by the japanese.
the Koreans being at present incompetent
to administer it. The new arrangement is
officially sanctioned by the Government at
Seoul, yet there is possibility that show
of opposition Will be made by the present
collectors, chiefly Europeans, appointed
by Chinese authority, but their remon-
straEces will receive no attention.
On August "a the Japanese guard sta.
toned at the palace in Seoul since July 23
vas replaced by body of native soldiers.
At the Kings request a detachment of
Japanese troops was ordered to be in
readiness whenever summoned for palace
duty.
> Korean officials travel with the Japan
ese troops in that country to explain that
for all provisions required commssariat
receipts will be duly given and payments
made at fixed times and places. On the
contrary, the Chinese army has no commits
sariat. and lives as it can by plundering
the products of the district through which
it passes.
All foreign captains and engineers en-
ployed by the China Merchant Steam
Navigation Company threw up their en-
gagements on publications of the neutral
ity proclamations of their respective coun-