The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1894-09-21
BATTLE AT LAST
Japanese Generalship AccOmplishes
a Most Decisive Victory in
COrea.
GENUINE SURPRISE PARTY
The War Virtually Ended Unless
China Gets Another Army
Into COrea.

LONDON, Sept. ia dispatch from
Seoul dated yesterday says that during
the evening of Thursday last the Japan
ese column from Pung San made re-
connosance in hope of drawing the fire
of the Chinese forts and ascertaining ac-
curately their disposition. This done,
the Japanese fell back in good order
with little loss. Friday night, the dis
patch adds, all the Japanese corps were
in position for a combined attack One
general column was threatening the
Chinese left flank, the Pung San column
was facing the Chinese center, and the
Hwanzu column was operating on the
Chinese right The latter column was
reinforced before by detachment of
marines and blue jackets from the fleets
stationed at tho mouth of the Lac Tong
river The Chinese utilized their old de-
fenses at Ping Yang and threw up new
works and their position was exception
ally strong. The battle opened Satur-
day morning at daybreak with direct
CANNoNADE UPON THE CHINESE
works, and this fire was continued with
out cessation until afternoon. The
Chinese fought their guns well, replying
effectively TO the Japanese fire. At p.
IN. a body of Japanese infantry was
thrown forward in skirmish order and
kept up rife fire upon the enemy until
dusk All the firing during the day was
done by the Pung San column. The
Chinese defences suffered exceedingly
from the japanese fire, but it is doubtful
if the losses on either side were great, as
the troops, both Chinese ard Japanese,
took every advantage possible of shelter,
which the earthworks on one side and
the nature of the ground on the other
offered The flank attacks upon the
Chinese post did not develop material
advantage during the day, although
the Japanese gained some in position.
The firing waa continued at intervals
throughout the night. The main two
fanking columns of the Japanese drew a
Gordon around the Chinese troops and at
3o'clock Sunday morning the Japanese
attack was delivered simultaneously and
with
ADMIRABLE PRECJ SION.
The Chinesew ere utterly unsuspicious
of an attack from the rear and became
panic stricken, and were cut down and
bayonetted by hundreds. So well was
the Japanese attack directed that the
Chinese were surrounded at every point
. and eventually sought safety in fight.
Defending the intrenchments were some
of Viceroy Lii Hung Chang's picked Chi
nese troops, drilled by Europeans, and
these soldiers made determined stand
to the last and were cut down to man.
The Pung San columns, swarming over
the damaged defenses of the Chinese
front, completed the rout Of the Chinese
and the whole CT the latter's position
was captured by the troops of the
Mikado. Half an hour later, after the
early morning attack commenced, the
strongly defended position Of Ping Yam
was 10 the hands of the Japanese troops.
1t is believed the Chinese position at
Ping Yam wac defended by 1000 Chinese,
of whom only a few escaped. An i'm
mense amount of provisions, ammuni
tion, arms and other storee, in addition
to hundred flags, were captured by the
Japanese. 1t is estimated the Chinese
lost 400 men
KILLED, WOUNDED AND PRISONERS.
Only thirty Japanese were killed and go
wounded, including eleven Japanese
officers. The Japanese when this dis
patch was sent, were in active pursuit of
the fugitive Chinese and as nearly all
the latter were without arms. they will
undoubtedly surrender as soon as the
japanese overtake them. As far as active
operations of the Chinese in Corea are
concerned, the war is practically at an
end and unless China succeeds in getting
another army into Corea, that country
will remain in the undisputed possession
of the japanese. 1t is hoped the victory
may serve as basis for peace negotia-
tions.