Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-28
THE EASTERN WAR.
CHINA MODELLING TROOPS WITH UN-
EXPECTED RAPIoITY.
American Marines Marched 10 seoui-Ex.
citssncns There NJ white Heat-Busi-
ness In Shanghai Suspended.

acre to-day from isioyds agent, ShahS"a'
china. confirms the announcement thar
war between China and Japan has been
declared. Telegraphic communication
with corca Is interrupted. and the widest
tumors are in circulation.
Hugh Mathieson e. Co. the Chinese gov
ernments agents In England. to-day re-
,eived 4 cable message. which also con-
trims the announcement that war has
been declared between China and Japan.
Neither the British government nor the
Chinese or Japanese legations have any
ofIicial advIces OF the declaration OF war.
AMERICAN MARINES LANDED.
WASHINGTON, July 2.-Up to the
slose Of Office hours the State Department
was without any formal notice OF de-
elaration os war between China and Japan.
and. so far as could be learned. the only
kilograms bearing on the situation III
Asia was a cable dispatch from Captain
Day, OF the Baltimore, announcing that
the japanese held the Corean King cap
tive, and that he had landed marines 10
protect the United States legation AZ
Seoul The capital Is distant ABOUT
twenty-five miles from Chemuipo. where
the Baltimore lies. and as there is only
-
marines must have marched the distance.
WEDNESDAYS CHINESE DISASTER.
SHANGHAI. July 1.-THE Chinese
TRANSPORTS sunk OFF the Corean coast be-
longed 10 the fleet of eleven steamers
which sailed from Taku Friday. July 10Th,
with 1900 troops. The fleet left Taku
under the escort Of eight gun-boats. The
majority Of the transports proceeded
slowly, with the gun-boats, while the
faster ones steamed at full speed, so as
70 land their troops as soon as possible
In the transports which arrived first at
the Corean coast were a few hundred SOL
diers from the army OF the north. Most
Of the force, however consisted OF
coolies with inferior firearms. or merely
bows and arrows.
The attack upon the steamers from the
Japanese guns last Wednesday Is de-
scribed briefly In dispatch received
before. The firing was begun by
Japanese battery on the shore. while the
Chinese officers were trying to debark
their men from the first steamer.
cruiser then steamed up. and opened fire
on all the transports which were lying TO.
waiting TO discharge their men. Tho
Chinese were unable TO make any effective
resistance. They were thrown into great
confusion. and many jumped overheard
To escape the hot fire. under which two
transports suffered severely.
The Chinese officials here do not confirm
these dispatches. They are exceedingly
reticent as to every report concerning
hostiities In Corea. The beginning of hos
tlities has caused keen excitement among
all classes here. Business IL virtually
suspended. although many smaller firms
have made desultory efforts to sustain
their trade.
JAPANESE IN DANGER.
The position of the japanese residents Is
precarious. For weeks the more prosper
Gus Japanese have been leaving the city,
but many Of the poorer and middle classes
still remain. The Europeans best ac-
auainted with the city think that the
tect them from Chinese fanatics. The
Niceroy Is confident that the northern
army is sufficiently strong TO cope with
the japanese force. and he does not intend
20 employ the southern army except In
ease OF extreme necessity. The mobiliza-
ton proceeds rapidly. and preparations to
embark large bodies of troops are making
with unexpected energy. The Chinese
government bought two large steamers
yesterday. and negotiations for others are
IN progress.
The Japanese have announced that they
will hold the King of Corea as hostage
until the internal reforms demanded by
them shall have been satisfactorily guar
snteed In Seoul excitement Is at white
neat There has been considerable as
turbance. and an uprising may come at
my moment.
WAR NOT YET DECLARED.
LONDON. July 2S-Several morning
iailies print this dispatch from Tein-Tsin:
war has not been declared officially
either in Toxic or Pekin. 1t Is believed
In government circles that 1t will not be
declared for several days. If the ex-
change of notes now proceeding results
amicably, the collisions that have already
taken place Will be mutualE disavowed;
otherwise they will be regarded at casus
pelH The transport which was sunk by
The Japanese was the Kew Shung. owned
by Mathieson Il Co. 1t is reported that
all were lost The Mathiesons have taken
pyer a number of Chinese coastng YES
sells Hereafter they will sail their steam
.rs under the British flag.
"Telegraphing between Japan and Corea
has been stopped: therefore no direct re-
ports can be obtained In Yokohama. where
nothing is known of a declaration or war.
The japanese authorities stopped on sun
day the Nagaski mail steamer bound for
Shanghai"
A NAVAL PROGRAMME.
YOKOHAMA. July E-Cable communi-
.ation between Japan and Corea is inter-
.upted. but II is rumored here In semi
official circles that japanese war-ship
has fired upon a Chinese war-ship AT
Kasan upon receiving hostile provocation.