The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-29
SHORT SUPPLIES.
Has Caused Desertions in
Chinese Armies.
Movements of laps---American War
ships In Chinese Waters.

SHANGHAI, sept. 20 1t Is reported that
the emperor has granted Iii Hung Chang's
request 10 be allowed 10 take the field in
person, and that Ii Hung Chang will
make his headquarters mt Lu-Tai near
Kali Ping the present headquarters Of the
provincial commander-in- chief Of Chin Iii.
II is also reported that the Chinese
troops have evacuated Corea, and are now
massed at Chiu-Lien- Ching, 80 miles west
ward OF the Yalu river.
There have been numerous desertions
from the Chinese army Of late because Of
the faulty condition Of the arms and the
ammunition supplied 10 the troops.
Another junk that was sailing through
North channel I'm order to evade the guard
boats struck a torpedo and was blown to
pieces Several men were drowned.
Chinese Don't Want to Fight,
Mono OF the new leyies have rs yet been
Forwarded from Canton. A large number
of officers Of both the army and navy are
resigning rather than go into active service
No new supplies of coal are coming into
the open market except from Tonquin.
AS the shipping trade is so stagnant, how
ever, the existing stocks Will last couple
of months at least.
Besides laying mines at the entrance TO
Foo-Chow and Tamsui harbors, the Chi
nese government has caused the extin-
gushing of tho lights in almost every
lighthouse along the coast. Pilots have
received special warning not To assist any
Japanese vessel
Privately, 10 is learned that the Canton
arsenal authorities are in difficulty which
may affect the whole war. China was To
pursue Fabian policy, and rely on her
enormous wealth ultimately TO crash
Japan. Both countries were surprised To
find that neutrality laws prevented their
buying warships in Europe. Orders were
given 10 the various Chinese arsenals TO
build ships and make guns.
t'he Foo-Chow arsenal, the largest and
only one in China that ever built ships on
a large scale, may be in state of readi-
ness, although 10 will not be able TO build
large vessels without great deal of help.
The arsenal at Canton was found 10 he in
a larnentable state of unfitness, and heavy
punishment As sure To fall upon the Of
ficials responsible for this condition of af-
fairs. In the meantime the Japanese ar
senals are reported to be working upon an
unprecedented scale.
The question of what articles may be de-
clared contraband is seriously disturbing
the eastern trade.
An Uprising In Manchuria.
A semi-of1icial telegram from st. Peters
burg announces that the Russian govern
ment has learned of "a rebellion against
the Manchurin dynasty. 1t is probable
that there is much evaporation against
nll the Chinese authorities on account of
The defeats of the Chinese troops and the
hack OF discipline in the army. The dis
patch adds that the regular troops are
uverywhere committing disgraceful out
Ind the government Is hardly able to sup
ply the wants of the troops already in the
field.
Aching For Fight.
A dispatch from Yokohama says: The
general public is I'm favor Of continuing
the war against China in defiance of all
obstacles, and is urging that "a desperate
attack upon Pekin be made
All party feeling for the time will be
suspended, and the diet will readily vote
whatever credits are needed. Reenforce-
inents are continually going forward. but |
nothing Is known in regard to their des- |
tination.
The destination of the second Japanese
nrmy OF 10000 men is kept secret The |
Japanese army in Corea is rapidly advanc- |
Ing north. No resistance to its progress is
expected on this side of the Chinese from.
tier There is no truth in the rumor of |
an arDlistice.
Previous Dispatches Verified.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29-Mail services
from China from sources specially en-
titled TO credit. of date early i'm August.
are almost prophetic of what has already
occurred there since that date, and IL the
predictions for the future hold good Secre-
tary Herbert's action i'm largely re-en fore
ing the United States warships i'm Chinese
waters viii be found to nave been a very /
wise move.
The advices describe the measures which
have been adopted by the Chinese to block
the navigation of their rivers, and the re-
sulting effect upon commerce For one
thing In the Ningpo district the Sesastus
Rock buoy, the Seanyu Spit buoy and the
Nemesis rock, Blonde rock and Tigers
Tail beacons have been temporarily re-
moved.
A feeling of timidity as TO tho pafety Of
business ventures with Tien-Tsin is nat
urally pervading the business world The
Chinese themselves will not block the
port, but the Japanese are likely TO do so
at any time.
Foreign Trade Menaced.
There was, however, very great
4
and IL was this that led TO the appeals of
foreign merchants TO their home govern
ments for the presence of warships i'm the
treaty ports of China. IL was generally
expected by them, that should the Chinese
be defeated on their own soil EXACTLY
what has happened, according To cable re-
ports) the Chinese soldiers would be de
rnoralized and fall 20 securing tho coun-
try In every direction, committing out
RACES. In that event. tho slender thread
which sustains the obedience of the |
masses 20 the viceroy would be snapped
and pandemonium would reign supreme
The great treaty port Of Tien-Tsn is be
iicved 10 bs specially threatened I'm such
case One prophetic statement follows:
I'm proportion 10 the disasters of war
THAT will surely overtake China, will the
influence OF the yiceroy wane, and should
Che defeat OF the Chinese be crushing
one, he will be absolutely incapable Co
maintain order. III Hung Chang has been
al Ill