The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-07-28
/ HOSTILITIES BEGUN.
Report That China and Japan Are
Now Actually at War.
FIRST VICTORIES FOR JAPAN.
Chinese Vessels Sunk by tho Ships of Js-
pans sNavy-Marines of tho United States
and Great Britain Sent to Seoul TO Pro-
tect the Legations.

pans Navy-Martnes OF thc Uhtted states
and Great Britain Sent to Seoul to Pro-
toot the Legations
TIENTsiN, China, July 2s.-The gravity
of the situation is fully realized here, now
that hostilities betwesn China and Japan
have commenced. While no formal dec
1aration of war according to the usual
diplomatic forms has been made, either
at Toxic or at Pekin, the governments Of
both countries recognize that an actual
state OF war exists, and more collisions
between the forces of the two countries
ere expected hourly.
Considerable anxiety is expressed here
as to the result of the war. The general
opinion seems to be that while Japan may
be looked upon as likely to score the first
victory, the Chinese troops will eventually
drive the Japanese out of Corea even il
millions of men have to be seLt to the
front to do so.
In government circles here 1t is ad-
Initted that China and ia pan are now at
war. although the official announcement
TO that effect may not be made for sew
aeral days, a., at the suggestion of the
representatives of the powers discussions
pre still in progress, and there is vague
ichance yet that in spite of the commence
pnent of hostilities st me amicable ar
Fangements may be arrived at.
Should this be the case the naval en-
Judgements already known to have taken
place between the Chinese and Japanese
fleets will be mutually diaallowcd Other
Swise these collisions Will be held to CON
istitute casus belli. But, to all intents
and purposes, war has been declared.
The first overt act of war, as already
'cabled exclusively TO the Associated Press,
occurred on Tuesday last. The Japanese
Ihred on and sunk the steamship kow
lShung, belonging to Hugh Mathicson &
iCo., of London, which had been chartered
lby the Chinese government to convey
troops to Corea.
Full details of this engagement nre not
yet obtainable, as the real facts III the
lease are carefully withheld from the pub
t1ic, and will be so withheld until there is
mo longer the slightest chance of averting
ia bloody war between China and Japan
But according to report u japanese cruiser
sighted the Kow Shung and ran within
easy range of her She hen signaled the
transport To put back. The transport con-
,tinued steaming ahead and the cruiser
Hired shot across her bows.
No attention being paid to this, accord
ing to the story, the japanese cruiser
opened fire upon the transport in earnest
put a number of shots into her, and tl.e
transport eventually sunk with all hands,
The number of people drowned is not
known, but it is believed that there must
have been 900 Chinese soldiers on board.
This, however, is mere conjecture.
A number of Chinese vessels which have
'been intimately connected with the Ma
ithieson steamers in the Chinese coast
trade have been taken over by Hugh Ma
thieson and will hereafter fly the British
hau.
Very little accurate news Is obtainable
here from Seoul, the capital of Corea. 1t
Iis known, however, that the British and
she United States warships at Chemulpo
have landed detachments of marines,
which have been sent to Seoul, in order TO
protect the respective legations of Great
britain and the United States. At Seoul a
conflict is said to have taken place be-
tween the Japanese and some Chinese and
Corean soldiers, with the result that the
Japanese were victorious
Shortly afterwards the japanese made
prisoner of the king Of Coren. and it is
said that they have either sent him or in
tcnd to send him o Jaran, where he will
be detained nntil the war is over. Rumor
also has ii that there has been n second
fight ut sea between Japan and Chinese
~arships.
Japanese cruiser is said TO have err
gagged aChinese cruiser conveying a trans
port, with the result that the Chinese
hhip was sunk. This report, however, may
have reference to the sinking of the kow
Shnng, already referred to, although
the sinking of his steamer is said to hive
occurred on Tuesday Inst, and the second
engagement is reported to have taken
plaeeon Wednesday.