The record-union., 1894-09-17

ordered to take personal command of the
armies of the continent. Notwithstanding
the dissatisfaction of the court with the
results of his management up to this
time. The humiliation inflicted upon
him has gone no further than the with
drawal and suspension of one of the hon~
ors bestowed upon him.
While the military activity is chiefly
in the north, considerable attention is
given to the Strengthening of fortifica-
tions all along the Chinese coast.
Orders have been sent to Formosa to
repair the works at Tai Wan Flu and
Takao, owing to runlors that the Japan
ese contemplate descent on that island.
No ground for this suspicion can be
discovered. and Japan has enough to oc-
cupy her in Corea and the neighbor-
hood.
The activity of the armies in Corea give
rise to various surmises, particularly in
Japan, where apprehenSions of a reverse
are freely expressed. In official circles
great reticence is shown, but suggestions
are heard that the delay is part OF STRAIT
egic plan for the discontinue of the Chi
nese troops. The armies have un-
doubtedly been within days march of
each other for some time.
Tri1ling skirmiShes are supposed to be
instigated by the Japanese to occupy the
attention of their adversary while a strong
DONtS BA0SCCuo llOA aNo W LIl0 6dSICTU
districts of the peninsula, intending to
strike the Chinese in the rear, and if
possible compel their surrender before
they have an opportunity to escape. Pro-
jectS of a march across the frontier at
Wlhu and an advance upon Peking by
land are discussed, though with much
caution. Direct information is very spar
ingly vouchsafed, but not the slightest
symptoms of dissatisfaction are apparent.
Reporters of Japanese papers are allowed
to go IN all directions, and may send tele-
grams free of charge over the Government
wires, but these privileges are limited by
rigid censorship, which forbids the publi-
cation of all news that has not passed Off
cial supervision.
A sensation has been caused in Toxic
by the action of a European correspond
ent, who, on July 24th, undertook TO
send telegram that Japan had declared
war. AS this was untrue, and as the
premature announcement might have
seriously prejudiced Japan's interest in
the case, the telegraph company refused
to transmit the message.
Eight OF the national banks of Toxic
have subscribed for the wax loan to the
amount collectively of 20,000,00O yens.
The largest subscription is that of the
Fifteenth National Bank. 100000 yens
Frequent accusations appear in Japan
ese newspapers of unWarranted acts of
partiality committed by British officials
in China's favor. acknowledgements is
charged with having interfered with one
of Japan's naval operations by ordering q
salute to Japanese Admiral at an inop-
perfume moment, and thus giving warm
ing to the enemy. The story lacks con-
nrmatory evidence. But it is certain that
in spite of the British proclamation of
neutrality, English merchant ships car
rying munitions OF war for Chinese naval
stations have sailed from Shanghai with
out obstruction by the Consul.
Business in Corea is much disturbed,
owing to the scarcity of silver and the
| lack of confidence in Japanese paper
money. The agencies of the japanese
National Banks have tried every means
to arrest the decline of paper, which now
stands at 10 per cent, but thus far their
efforts have been in vain.
on August 24th the Japanese guard
stationed at the palace in Seoul since
July Sd was replaced by native soldiers
Japanese troops was ordered TO be III
duty.
Corean officials travel with the Japanese
troops in that country to explain that for
all provisions required, commissariat re-
ceipts will be duly given and payments
made at fixed time and places as per con-
tract. The Japanese army has no COM
missariat.
The plague which desolated Hongkong
has made its appearance at Annoy, some
fifty cases being detected 1t is supposed
travelled from Hongkong overland to es-
al mo COR JNty