The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-30
TALE OF CRUELTY
Told About the Japanese At
tack on Chinese Fleet,
But the Story Comes From a Source
That Is Naturally Preiudiced.
Bv the Associated Press.

IN ~
SHANGHAI, July 30.-The following Is
the latest Chinese version of the sinking
of the troop ship Kow-Shing, chartered
by China from the Chinese Trading and
Steamship Company:
When the Kow-Shing was overhauled
by the Japanese cruiser the latter sent q
boat alongside the transport with q
prize crew to convey her to japan. The
japanese boarded the Kow-Shing ane
ordered her commander, Captain Gals
worthy, an Englishman, to proceed TO
Japan. Captain Galsworthy refused to
obey this order and the Japanese with
drew to report to the commander OF
their cruiser. The latter then opened
firel upon the transport, using the
machine guns mounted in the tops OF the
Japanese ships. This fire was sc well di-
rected that Ii soon cleared the kow-
Shing's decks. The cruiser then dis
harged two torpedoes at the transport,
sinking her and drowning nearly all OF
about two thousand souls on board.
Colonel Won H~annakein, q German,
formerly the Viceroy's aide-de-camp,
and a number Of other foreign officers,
were among those killed by the fire from
the tops of the cruiser before the torpe-
does were discharged.
The effect OF the explosion Of the torpe-
does is said to ave been terrific. Gap
ing holes large enough to pull a boat
through were torn In the steamers side,
and through these a~peratures the
water poured, drowning between decks
those who did not leap overheard.
Sounds Fishy.
According to reports received here, two
German passengers, who were on their way
to Corea, in order to settle up business
affairs before the war broke out in earnest,
jumped overheard when the transports be
gan to sink and succeeded in swimming to
the Japanese cruiser. But In spite OF their
appeals to be taken on board and their an
nouncement that they were non-combat
ants, the two Germans were shot by The
Japanese marines. A number OF Chinese,
who swan to the cruiser, shared the sam
fate. The japanese absolutely refused tc
give quarter.
The transport sank near Shopiont
Island, for which place Captain Gals
worthy was steering, intending to beacf
her, under the fire of the cruiser, wher
the fatal torpedoes were discharged at the
Kow-Shing.
A French warship, the Lion, attracted
to the spot by the sound OF the hiring
steamed up as the transport sank and sue
ceeded In rescuing some OF the unfortunat'
Chinese soldiers, but all the foreigners ar
reported to have been killed on board
the Kow-Shing, while returning the mr.
OF the Japanese, or else they were drownet
by the sinking of the transport. Th
Japanese are said to have behaved wit
an utter disregard of the laws of civilized
warfare, by refusing to receive on boar
the drowning people who swan to tn
cruiser from the sinking transport.
A Second Army.
A large Chinese army has crossed tn
northwestern frontier OF Corea and ]
marching down the Peninsula. A secon'
army is being hastily equipped to follow
the first army into Corea.
No details have been received OF tn
battle which is said to have taken place a
Asan between the Chinese and Japans
forces.
It is reported that several Chimes
steamers have been captured and a mum
Der OF others destroyed at Taku b.
Japanese cruisers. Steamers often wal
a week at Taku before they ar
able the cross the bar and 1t Is said tina
there was quite a feet of Chinese steam
ships of Taku when they were surprise
by the Japanese warships and either car
tured or sunk.
Torpedocs have now been placed In th
Shaweishan channel OF the Yang tse- K
ang River in order to compel vessels I
pass within easy range OF the Woo-Sun
forts.