Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-28
Tho Sunday Register An Features Most Artistic Largest Bghteg5 Lies

munitions OF war, and Is not so Tar oe-
hind in this respect as Is generally De
lieved."
The manager of the Hong Kong and
Shanghai bank. said. 81 have not re-
ceived any confirmation OF the report
that war has been declared between
China and Japan, but l should not be
surprised II such were the case. One OF
the results Of the war will be to put
the great trade in the hands OF Eng
land and Europe to the disadvantage OF
China and Japan. But the end OF the
war will be the making Of China every-
where and the opening Of China for all
time TO western civilization and trade.
China will realize through this war her
great and yet undeveloped strength. "
The Associated Press correspondents
find that the concensus OF opinion In
London shows that England
Is In sympathy with China.
This is owing, mainly, to Russia's wish
10 see Japan successful, and thus form
a barrier TO Eugland's progress in the
far East. Some OF the Anglo-Chinese
traders OF this city suggest doubts as TO
China's ability TO cope with Japan, as IL
is known here that much OF the Chinese
war equipment recently purchased In
Europe is bad. For instance 1t Is said
that 100000 discarded Austrian Man
licher rifles, with large amount OF am
munition for these weapons, which were
recently sold to China, are not likely to
prove very valuable acquisition to
China in this emergency. The rifles
referred to would not have been dis
carded had they been OF much use, and
IL is reported that the cartridges
sold with them are not tit
to be used. The immediate
cause OF the declaration OF war is
said to be the fact that, as exclusively
announced by the Associated Press on
July "a. the japanese attacked the Chi
nese transports conveying troops 10
Corea. In this engagement, as the As
sociated Press exclusively announced at
the time, al least one Chinese transport
was sunk by japanese cruiser. But II
would now seem that the fighting be-
tween the Chinese and japanese war
ships was much more serious than at
first announced. for it is rumored in
Anglo Chinese circles here that the
Chinese have already suffered very
heavy loss and 1t is believed that num-
Der OF Chinese ships have been sunk by
the japanese cruisers.
One Of the Anglo-Chinese merchants
OF this city expressed the belief that
the Two naval engagements have already
been fought in Corean waters; one on
Tuesday and one on Wednesday last,
and everybody questioned on the sub
ject seems TO agree that the Chinese
were defeated with heavy loss.
Great difficulty Is experienced in OBJ
tanning accurate news In regard TO the
situation Of affairs, owing TO the fact
that telegraphic communication has
been twice com pletely interrupted be-
yond Nagasakj, japan, and all messages
have been delayed, and II is believed
that further news will shortly reach
here showing that on the water, at
least, the japanese have obtained a de.
cided advantage.
There is no doubt that some OF the
Anglo-Chinese merchants OF London
are in possession OF more accurate infor-
nation In regard to the reported Japan
ese successes than they are willing to
admit, but for reasons best known To
themselves they insist on Withholding
this information for the present at least,
as their sympathies are undoubtedly
with China In the struggle with the
japanese.
If the treaty ports remain open Eng
land expects to make continuous profit
out OF the war between China and Japan,
while the fact that Russia Is directly OF
indirectly giving assistance TO Japan is
looked upon by the English merchants
as likely 10 place perpetual stop upon
Russia's trade progress with China.
THE KING Is A PRISONER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., July 27.-The
King of Corea is a Japanese prisoner.
This is the important statement con-
tained In a telegram dated yesterday,
which Secretary Herbert has
received from Capt. Day of the United
States steamer Baltimore now at Che
mulpo, Corea. Capt. Day, besides
stating that the King of Corea Is cap
tive in the hands OF the Japanese, re-
ported that he had dispatched force
OF marines from his snip 10 Seoul, the
capital, To protect the United States
legation.
LONDON, July 2s.-The Peninsular
aud Oriental Steam Navigation Com
pany and other London firms doing busi-
ness with the east, have received tele-
grams confirming the Associated Press
advlces that war between China and
Japan has been declared. Despite this
fact neither the British Foreign Office
nor the foreign legations have as yet
received from any official source contir-
nation OF the news. Numerous trans
actions at war risks were made at
Lloyd's yesterday. There are rumor'
that the Chinese government intends to
negotiate loan.