The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-10-26
PRINCE KUNG'S TRIUMPH
Means the Complete Collapse of the
Power of Ii Hung Chang.

EO"Ci Ot &udnXs
SHANGHAI, Oct. 9.-The recall of Prince
Kang to power is Interpreted as another
sign of III hung Changes decline. This
half-forgotten statesman, now over 20
years of age, was the moving spirit OF the
Tsung-li Yamen until some thirty years
ago. and controlled the diplomacy of the
empire until he was set aside by one of
the palace conspiracies, which ia those
days frequently threw the Government
HtO confusion aud totally changed the
course of public affairs. la 1875 he had
hopes of reappearing upon the scene as
the father OF the Emperor then to be
chosen, but was again thrown into retire
ment by the selection OF a scion of an other
branch of the family. He was never in
sympathy with Ii, either personally or
politically, and it would be next TO impos-
sible for the two men to Cooperate IN any
line Of national policy. He was credited
with considerable ability in his time.
though his intellectual inferiority to the
great Viceroy was apparent whenever
their relative capacity was tested by
circumstances. His appointment at the
end of last month to the presidency of the
Tsung-li Yamen was quickly followed by
the nomination of General Sung TO the
This is understood as equivalent to
definite denial of Lis petition to be in
trusted with the direct management of the
military and naval forces, though it Is
still believed by many of the VIceroy's
adherents that he will be allowed at least
to perform the duties of adviser to the
throne, and that the neXpediency of ut
terly discardng an official of his expert
ence and talent will be recognized even
By his adversaries. General Sung's pre-
vious career has not been brilliant, nor is
it known that he possesses any attributes
especially emitting him to his new dis
tnction. Perhaps his notorious hostility
10 the Ii family is regarded as q sufficient
qualification. He is invested with extra
ordinary powers. and will be hampered by
no interference with his plans so long as
be can make himself appear successful.
The highest post he has hitherto held is
that OF commander of the garrison at Port
Arthur.
The few surviving foreigners engaged
on the Chinese side in the fight off Taiko-
san have been carefully interviewed by
the North China Daily News. Their re-
por's supplied little additional information
of real value. They were unanimous In
prOnouncing the assertion that no Japan
ese ships were sunk ''a barefaced lie,"
yet not one of them, on being pressed,
could say he saw single ship go down.
They admitted that five Chinese men.of-
war were lost, one of these the Kwang-
Ka. through the cowardice of her CON-
mander. who followed the example of
Captain Fong of the Chilly uen, but in
stead of escaping, ran ashore near Talien
Bay, and left his ship to be destroyed later
by tOrpedOes. The number of drnwned is
roughly estimated at nearly seven hun
dred, and every deck officer engaged was
injured. On the ships which returned to
Port Arthur about one hundred were
killed and two hundred andfifty wounded
During the afternoon two of the Ting
Yuen's heaviest guns were simultaneously
discharged. the effect of the conclusion
being that Admiral Ting was thrown from
The bridge TO the deck and stricken sense
less for half an hour. His foot was badly
hurt by the FALL. At one time fires were
burning fercely on the four largest YES
sells, that on the flagship threatening for
n while to defy all efforts to subdue H.
One of the witnesses says that the ship
first sunk was not the Lai Ynen, but the
King 1uen. A mistake in the name is
possible. as the two men, of-war were pre-
cselY alike 10 every particular.
The foreign Harbor Master of Port
Arthur has known for several years past
that the Japanese were constantly sur
veying the shores Of the Yellow Sea and
repeatedly urged the Chinese to do like
wise, but without success. The conse-
Quence is that the Japanese are now per-
fecily familiar with the whole locality.
while the Chinese are ignorant of matters
which vitality affect the security of their
position.
The diplomatic represent ative of China
last stationed at Toxic has been impris-
oued for alleged neglect of duty in not
correctly reporting Japan's military and
naval strength. His predecessor at the
same post, Ii Hung Chang's son, is charged
with similar remissness, circumstances
which adds to the discomforts OF the Vice
roy'5 present position.
An extraordinary imperial edict has been
issued calling for true report of the
battle OF Phyong-Yang. The Emperor
announces that the defeat was owing to
dissensons among the defenders and the
rivalry of the generals in charge of the
several brigades and states that the guilty
parties will be severely punished.
The widely circulated story that an i'm
perial treasure valued at ], 200, 600. 900 taels
is deposited at Moukden is contradcted
on alleged authority from Peking.
The military authorities of Hong-Kong
are taking especial precautions to prevent
the soldiers of the garrison from being ell
ticed into Chinese service. A proclama-
ton has been issued warning the British
troops against accepting any engagements
that may be offered.
One Of the latest imperial DEGREES an
nounces that the sovereign has consented.
at the Empress Dowager's request, to omit
or postpone the celebration Of that lady's
sixtieth birthday aud devote the immense
sums of money collected for the ceremonies
TO the prosecution Of the war.
The reports of mutinies among the Chi
nese troops In Manchuria gather strength
and are causing great agitation in Picking
and Tientsin.
JAPAN WILDLY EXCITED.