The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-08-02
CHINA DECLARES WAR.
APPARENTLY NoFURTHER DOUBT
Of THAT FACT.
Japanese Cruisers Have Been Attacking
Chinese Ships on the Seas and
Achieving Victories - England
Sympathizes With Japan.

LONDON, July pa dispatch re.
ceived at 11:16 q. M, from Lloyd's
agent at Shanghai, China, confirms
the announcement that war between
China and Japan has been declared.
Hug h Matheusen g. Co., the Chinese
governments agents in England,
have received cable message which
also confirms the announcement that
war has been declared between China
and Japan. The Associated Press
correspondent finds that the con-
sensus OF opinion shows that England
is in sympathy with China. This
is owing mainly to Russia's wish to
see Japan successful. and thus form
a barrier to ,England's progress
in the far east. Some of the Anglo
Chinese traders of this city suggest
doubts as to China's ambition to cope
with Japan, as it is known here that
much of the Chinese equipment re-
Gently purchased in Europe is bad
For instance, it is said that 400, 900
discarded Austrian Manilicher rifles,
with large amount of ammunition
for these weapons, which were recent
ly sold to China, are not likely to
prove very valuable acquisition in
this emergency. The rifles referred
to would not have been discarded had
they been of much use, and it is re.
ported that the cartridges cold with
them are not fit to be used.
The immediate cause of the declara'
ton of war is said to be the fact that
the Japanese attacked the Chinese
transports conveying troops to Corea.
In this engagement at least one
Chinese transport was sunk by O Jap.
anese cruiser. But it would seem that
the fighting between the Chinese and
Japanese warships was much more
serious than at first announced, as ii
is rumored in AnglosChinese Gil cles
here that the Chinese have already
suffered very heavy loss and it is be-
lieved that number of Chinese ships
have been sunk by the japanese
cruisers.
One of the Anglo Chinese merchants
of this city expressed the belief that
two naval engagements have already
been fought in Corean waters, one on
Tuesday and one on Wednesday last
and everybody questioned on the SUBJ
iect seemed to agree that the Chinese
were defe ted with heavy loss. Great
difficulty is experienced in obtaining
accurate news in regard to the situa
ton of affairs, owing to the fact that
telegraphic communication has been
twice completely interrupted and all
messages have been delayed, and
iJ is believed that further
news will shortly reach here
showing that on the water at
least tire japanese have already 90
tanned decided advantage. There is
no doubt that some Of the Anglo Chi.
Eese merchants of London are in pos
session of more accurate information
in regard to the reported japanese
successes that they are willing to al
NIT, but for reasons best known TO
themselves they insist upon withhold
ing this Information for the present at
least, as their sentiments are updoubt-
edly with China.
If the treaty ports remain open
England expects to make q continuous
profit of tue war between China and
Japan, while the fact that Russia is
directly or indirectly giving assistance
to Japan is looked upon by the EGG
lish merchants as likely to place
a perpetual stop upon Russia's trade
progress with China.
WARTS ON