The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1894-08-09

ishowed that they thoroughly UNDER
stood the handling of torpedoes. The
Chinese did the best they could, but
they we're lacking in seamanship and
$50 in ability to handle their guns eff
Etectiyely. They demonstrated the
truth of the claim that they have
aothing like the ability and training
Eoi the Japanese seamen and gunners,
land are at a big disadvantage OF the
water.
Cruisers Built by the Armstrong;.
The two cruisers said to have been
captured or destroyed are believed to
be the cnes built for China by the
Armstrong;. They were modern war
vessels and among the best in the
lChinese navy. Their loss will seriously
cripple China on the water and materi-
ally increase Japan's advantage. A
harder blow could hard v have been
dealt china in a single battle than the
destruction of their two cruisers and
the big warship Chin-Yuen. The loss
OF life is insignificant compared to it,
although that was severe for a naval
battle.
The Chen-Yuen was a battle-ship Of
$40 tons displacement, carrying l49
Inches compound armor ut the water
line. Her battery included four r.
inch guns, protected by an armor
She was also furnished with eleven
Ihotchkiss cannon and tubes for White
bead torpedoes. In addition, the Chen
luen had two 8t-inch and 6-inch
krurps in her main battery and a Sec
ondary battery of Hotchkiss revolving
cannon. The Chen Yuen was built for
China at the Stettin Works. She was
q sister ship Of the Ting Yuen and was
inc most powerful warship In the
1nlnese navy with the exception Of
!lng-Iue
Japan's Official Statement.
Inc following official statement of
IAe difficulties between China and
Japan, which led to the outbreak of
Aostlllties between these two vi
tMe'' has been issued by the Japanese
government: Japan and China were
approaching a settlement Of these diff
n%eulties, when China suddenly request
~ Japan to withdraw her fleet from
e9rea and to give a formal compliance
WIN the Chinese demands by the 10th;
VNherwise the whole Chinese forces
were to land AID a sea advance upon
Me "a part OF China was to be made.
aAe Japanese regarded this as an ultt-
lalum; but. acting under the advice
'. me friendly powers. they agreed to
.Ae proposals in principle in amended
;9rHl' at the same time declaring that
= me threatened Chinese advance was
uaue on the 2Uth it would be regarded
d an overt act.
II : conjectured that the Japanese
SS'a' commanders we're instructed to
- On the watch for the Chinese war
a'Ps and, seeing the latter advancing
TSiuly =, they opened fire.
ut Japanese do not believe that the
no" Shung, the Chinese transport
.sAH oy a japanese cruiser, was flying
ne british flag, but we're that the
r. ~ tney regard it as being a ruse.
dne Japanese Indignantly deny the
..baaF9es of brutality brought against
we = o'fcers and crew of the cruiser
"ulci sunk the transport. No official
of 1prl mas been received at Yokohama
" mis- engagement.
term any suspicious of Russia.
ne German press regards with sus-
a'n ltussia's attitude toward the
,1p"hese-' hinesc conflict, although
rasc oinments Of the Russian newspa-
indicate that tho st. Petersburg
'rA'nent is far from pleased with