The herald., 1894-11-23
The Vessel Ran on a Torpedo
and Her Commander
Suicided.
OVERTURES FOR PEACE.
An Envoy Sent to Japan to Arrange o
Settl lsment-A Large Indemnity
offered - Fighting at
Port Arthur.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
WAsHINaToN, Nov. 22.-rhe Chinese
have lost the finest and most powerful
vessel of their navy. the great battleship
Chen Yuen, which stood the brunt Of
the fighting at the battle of the Yalu
river. A cable received at the navy
department today states that the Chen
Yuen, in leaving Wei Hal Wei hsrbor
on the 18th inst, accidentally struck q
torpedo. She was beached, but was
rendered useless for lack of docking fa-
cilities. In despair at the catastrophe,
the commander, Commodore Lin, conn
mitted suicide.
The Shen Yuen was q magnificent
fighting machine. very much like our
own battle ship Maine. She was built
in Europe in 1892 and WAS of 7450 tons
displacement. 1t would seem from
facts il The cable that the ship fell
victim to one OF the torpedoes planted
by the Chinese themselves to guard the
entrance of Wei Hal Wei. which was
the last of the great naval strongholds
of the empire save Port Arthur, now
tottering to its fall.
1t was we'll that Commodore Lin
committed suicide, for he would doubt
less have been decapitated as the result
OF his error. 1t is believed here this
loss has deprived the Chinese navy of
its offensive power. There remains the
Ting Yuen, powerful battle ship. and q
few lesser ironclads, but without the
aid OF the Chen Yuen they would hardly
dare to make an offensive campaign. and
probably will remain in port to assist in
the defense.
THE ADVANCE ON PORT ARTHUR.
The advance on Port Arthur is re-
garded as having an important bearing
on the peace negotiations. Lieutenant
Miyoka, naval attache of the Japanese
legation here, says the advance move.
ment has been most cautious, as the
ground for 40 miles around Port Arthur
has been found fairly alive with powder
mines connected with electric wires to
Port Arthur.
Three days ago the Japanese were
within days march of the fortress,
but it was necessary to send ahead q
small scouting party to pick a route
away from the mines and electric wires.
The regular roads cannot be used for
the artillery. as it would have been
blown up. and accordingly the big guns
have had to be moved in circuitous
routes through woods and morasses. 1t
is regarded as likely this cautious march
will have been completed today. and the
Japanese legation is hourly expecting
word that decisive blow has been
struck, though a long siege may be nec-
essary, as the fortress has one of the
strongest defenses OF modern times. It
is believed that Japanese success
would quickly close the peace negotia.
tions, but that repulse would impsl
China to hold off further.
PEACE TIATIoNs.
In accordance with the suggestion OF
Japan, the state depsatmect has notified
Minister Dun at Toxic and DENLY at
Pekin to transmit any direct offer China
may wish to make to Japan. The Chi-
nese delegation here is not notified as to
what course its government will take.
An Associated Press cable from Japan
states, however, that China has inti-
mated a willingness to pay an indemnity
of 100000, 900 tsels and in addition all
the war expenses incurred by Japan.
As the war expenses reach 100 10000
taels, the total offer Of China would be
250, 900 900. A tael is Chinese silver
coin worth about rs cents at the present
exchange.
1t is believed here arrangements be.
tween the two nations could be effected
on terms providing for smaller war
indemnity. Diplomats say that under
ordinary circumstances it would take
some time for China to formally present.
its offsr to Minister Dsnby; but al the
Japanese are now at the walls OF Port
Arthur, about to make last blow at
China's greatest fortress, it is antici
pated that China may hurry negotia,
tions to q conclusion. 1t is expected
Minister DENLY will transmit an offer
by telegraph to Tien Tsin and Shang'
hal and thence by cable to Yokohama.
RECORDS OF OUR DIPLOMATS.
Officials and diplomats are scanning
Al l. a 4.