Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-21
Chinese Vessels Preparing to Defend
the Ports.
JAPANESE FLEETS NOT YET SIGHTED
Minister kurino Discusses the News
paper Accounts.
COMING TO WASHINGTON

SHANGHAI, August 21.-No news of any
importance has been received here recently
in regard to the movements of the fleets or
concerning the military operations In fact
1T may be distinctly asserted that no real
news concerning the war between China and
Japan has reached Shanghai since August
Il.
The two japanese spies who were arrested
in the French settlement of Shanghai are
under the protection of the United States
consul and will remain so until a charge is
clearly formulated against them.
LONDON, August IA dispatch to the
Times from Shanghai today says that the
court of inquiry has established the fact
that the commander of the japanese war
ship Naniwa ordered the destruction of the
drowning men from the Chinese transport
kow Shing, which was sunk by the Japan
csc.
The dispatch adds that Vice Admiral the
Hon. Sir Z. r. Fremantle, in command of
the British China station, is collecting de-
tailed evidence on this subject.
A dispatch from Shanghai says that Ad-
miral Ting, acting under imperative orders,
has so disposed the smaller vessels of the
Chinese fleet as to prevent the japanese
from landing troops in Chinese territory.
The swifter and stronger vessels are openly
cruising in the Gulf of Pe-Chi-Li, ready to
fight the Japanese, but up to this time they
have not had the good fortune to meet
them.
Minister Kurfno Discusses Dfspatche
SAN FRANCISCO, August 21.-Minister
Kurino of Japan Is keeping a keen eye on
the newspaper dispatches from Seoul and
Yokohama. He said last night that he could
not believe all of them were correct, for
there was an understanding between him.
self and his government that when there
was serious fighting he should be apprised
at once
cablegram," he SAIL but since my arrival
/ have not received one. Consul Chinda has
not received any, either.
I'm connection with this. I want to COM
bat an impression prevalent with some Of
the American people that l am here to
raise loan, and. possibly, to get American
troops and officers. My coming is in no
way in reference to the war. We are in
a standing army of 5000 men. with re-
serves sufficient to make 100000. All are
well trained. Even in Japan We have far
more applicants for places to fight than We
require. Our people are anxious to volun-
teer, but we do not need them. The voun-
teers would be in the way of the trained
troops. Our people, too are offering money
to the government, but we do not need it,
and steadily refuse 1t.
'Since my arrival, number of Japanese
and others have offered their services, but
have explained the real condition and en-
deavored to discourage them. Besides the
warships. We are thus we'll equipped.
Il think the policy of China is to move
slowly, but II is a discovered, disrnembered
country. and even time will avail nothing
The people are not patriotic 1t Is a Tartar
dynasty. and they do not care If the coun-
try does go to pieces. Why, in 1868, when
the French and English sought to open
Canton, the Chinese would not stand by
emma 1t Is the same way all over that
country. Ii Hung Chang cannot hold the
Chinese together.
"A dispatch from London this morning,
referring to what took place at Saigon said
the Japanese had used great strategy. 1t
implies that the Japanese retreated and
that then the Chinese came in and were
This is a mistake, and the en-
gagsment is evidently COMPOUNDED with that
at Riozan."
Minister Kurino will leave tonight for
Col. WassOn Summoned to JaDan.
RIVERSIDE, Cal, August 21-One of the
most important men In this country in his
relation to the present controversy between
Japan and China, and who is likely to
prove an important factor In a direct way.
as he Is certain to in an indirect way, in
the war now waging over Corea, Is Col.
j. r. WATSON of Sedalia, Mo-, formerly a
weii-known officer of the United States
army.
The japanese government has sent for
Col WATSON and charged him to repair ar
once to the scene of the conflict and there
70 take command of the mix ADDS forces.
He has been asked to do this because of
mis- familiarity with the Japanese. and their
metnoos, ana his known ability as a COM
lnander. The government officials know this
from COL Wasson's connections with the
Japanese army at one time as a military
instructor
Years ago. during President Grants first
term, the mikado requested Of this govern
ment tnat young military officer of mark
ca aDiilty De sent to Japan to Introduce
Ihto the japanese army American tactics
ana methods of warfare. 1t was a desirabl
ana honorable position and President Grant
seiected Col WATSON, a close friend and a
great favortte. WATSON had previously been
sent upon a similar mission to Egypt unon
the request of the khedive and spent TWO
years In the Nile country constructing the
forces, earning considerable re-
nown for his tact and ability in that line,
but 1t was in his relation with Japan that
he achieved his greatest fame.
In 1874 he accompanied Gen. Saigenas.
chief OF stan, with the rank of colonel in
the expedition against Formosa Col. Was
son conducted the expedition to a successful
termination. The success of the enterprise
and the satisfactory manner in which 1t was
carried through so pleased the mikado that
he bestowed on Col. WATSON the decoration
Of Rising Sun of the Imperial Order Of
Meiji. distinction no other foreigner ever
enjoyed.
A warm personal friend of the colonel re-
siding in this city is in receipt Of a letter
from the ex-soldier, giving the facts as to
the offer made by Japan.
n n~.v