The record-union., 1894-10-25
FEVER OF EXCITEMENT.
All Japan Awaiting News From Ge1
eraI Oyama's Expedition.

All Japan Awaiting News From Gen.
eraI Oyama's Expedition.
VICTORIA (B. c., Oct 24.-The steam
ship Empress of Japan has brought Ori-
entail advices to October 18th as follows;
All Japan is in a fever of excitement
awaiting the news of General Oyama's
expedition, supposed to be directed to-
wards some point on the Chinese coast
within the Gulf of Pechili. The reports
of landings at Port Arthur, Wei-Hai- w eli
and other localities are published in ia
pan newspapers.
From the beginning the Japanese au-
thorities have been determined to allow
no Inaccurate reports to go forth. Adj
1niral 1to's official report of the battle
near Tai Kosen Harbor has been pub
liShed. 1t is extremely eXuberant in
tone and filled with eulogies of the spirit
and tortitude displayed by the officers
and men.
The position of foreigners in the interior
of China, especially in the north is re-
garded as extremely critical. Even the
residents of Shanghai feel it necessary to
remind commanders of European fleets
OF the dangers that threaten them in case
the Government suffers further reverses,
and the few aliens who remain in Pekin
have far more serious cause for apprehen-
sion.
The authority of Ii Hung Chung,
behalf of strangers, is now so weakened
that his promises of protection can no
longer be trusted.
\ o immediate movement from the Cap
ital could safely be attempted as the roads
are thronged with disorderly bodies of
troops and the peasant population fam
ished and destitute.
The presence of marine guard at the
Legations to restrain lawlessness, which
seems awaiting only Tor a preteXt to rise
up on Europeans and Americans, is inn
peratively demanded.
The call of Prince kung to power as
President Of the Tsung Ii Yamen is in
terpreted as another sign of Lii Hung
Chang's decline. The half-forgotten states
man, now over seventy years Of age, con-
trolled the diplomacy of the Empire
thirty years ago, until he was set aside
by one Of those palace cOnspiracies which
frequently threw the Government into
confusion. His appointment was quickly
followed by the nomination OF General
Sung to the chief command of the north
ern armies. This is understood as a de-
NAL of Lis position to be intrusted with
the direct management Of the military
and naval forces.
The statements previous published that
the Chinese fleet purposely carried no
boats is corrOborated. The crews of all
the lost vessels perished, with scarcely
an exception. The number drowned is
deck officer engaged was injured. On the
ships which returned to Port Arthur
about 100 were killed and 25O wounded.
Reports of mutinies among the Chinese
troops in Manchuria gather strength, and
are causing great agitation III Pekin and
Tien Tsin.
The advance guard of the Japanese
army is now close upon the Yalu River.
and the main body is within few days'
march of the frontier. Soldiers from
General Eamataga relate the discovery of
additional booty along the line of march,
Several more abandoned krupp guns
have been picked up in good Servlcea-
BILE condition, and each town that is seized
is said to contain large stores of ammuni-
tion. 1t is said that the Chinese will
make a stand at Kew Leen, some thirty
miles beyond Win on the road 10 Mouk-
den.
Japanese newspapers are now REQUIRED
to exercise great discretion in the pub
lication of Corean intelligence. from
which it is inferred that tie Government
anticipates events OF importance on the
peninsula or in Manchuria-
When the baggage OF General Tsi was
examined after his death at Phyonp
Yang, it was found to contain several de-
tailed and minute plans of the fortifica-
tions at Wei-Hai- w eli, together with other
documents of strategic Importance.
The Chinese loss i'll the battle of Taku-
shan was: hlll5u, fuO, wounded, Z02.
Two different accounts are published in
Yokohama papers with reference 10 the
Chinese preparations for defending the
passage of the Yalu River. One saws
the Chinese troops have erected six forts
on the southern bank of the river and
fourteen on the northern. These have
about eighty guns in position. and the
force ssembled to dispute the passage
of the Japanese army into Manchuria is
about 10000. All the troops that es-
capped from Ping Yang are on the north
ern banks The other report says that
the Chinese forces only number 5000 OH
the northern bank, and similar num-
Der on the southern, and that but eight
forts have been built SO far; but on the
appearance oil the Japanese troops they
hastily started TO build and strengthen
their position, evidently intending 10
assume strictly defensive part.
The Nippon published an account OF
the encounter between the Maya Kan
and four Chinese ships in the Yellow
sea. where the Maya Kan was recon-
noitering. A fierce fight ensued, III
which the Maya Kan sunk one of her
opponents. and then escaped in more or
less injured condition. AS the Maya
Kan is a gunboat of but 615 tons, the
engagement is regarded as canard.