The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-08-29
LATE KOREAN NEWS.
SOMETHING RELi-pLE FROM 1Hl
SEAT OF WAN.
Nv u Gentleman who Left ChCmuIpo
July 29th Published In u Jap
anese Paper.

a Chinese man-of-war; in fact, he re-
ports that there was not a single Chi
nese vessel within $50 miles of Chem
ulpo, up to which distance the Korean
coast was well guarded by the Japan
ese men-of-war and torpedo boats. The
report that the japanese fleet was
blockaded in Chemulpo harbor he re-
ports is unfounded, as at no time have
they been there, but, on the contrary,
it is virtually blockaded against the
entrance OF the Chinese fleet since the
beginning of the trouble.
Some forty miles off Chemulpo are
several islands behind which are the
headquarters of the japanese fleet, and
at which point he counted thirteen mem
of-war, eight torpedo boats and some
thirty transports which had just arrived
with troops and were about to be landed
at Chemulpo. Every vessel passing
this station, no matter what its nation
ality may be, is stopped and searched
for contrabands OF war, and as they are
sighted they are signalled "folow me or
take the consequences, and are then
taken to naval headquarters and
searched. On the trip down the coast
was reported to be clear, and although
the ship showed no lights, at a distance
OF eighty miles from Chemulpo she was
stopped by the Naniwa- Kan. and at $50
miles had search light thrown on her
by another ship and was again examined.
The captain OF the latter ship reported
that there was not single Chinese
vessel on the Korean coast, and that the
Hijo could proceed with safety.
Our informant says that he is favora-
BILE to the Chinese side OF the question,
but that in justice he cannot help adj
miring the manner in which Japan is
making her fight, and he says the inn
preston OF all the naval officers in Korea
is that the japanese are entitled to the
greatest praise for the way their army
and navy are handled. Good judges
claim that their position in and about
Korea is nearly impregnable. With
their naval station behind the islands
referred to they are enabled to rush out
their torpedo boats between the islands,
which cover a considerable distance OF
the coast frontage, and the fact that they
have an immense stock OF supplies OF all
kinds sufficient for year indicates that
long preparations had been made for the
present event.
The ships are burning Cardiff coal,
which makes no smoke, and which also
indicates that a supply had been pre-
viously provided. He reports that the
army and navy are Independent of the
| Koreans in every way both as regards
supplies, transportation, coolies, and
even sampans. They have 1909 coolies
to move supplies and 800 men building
telegraphs. The headquarters of the
army is at iRyong Sans-three miles
from Seoul-from which point they
have built a line about $50 miles long to
Fusan, are building another to Ginsen,
and have telephone lines to the Legation
and the stations of all the troops, which
seem to have impregnable positions on
the mountains for many miles around
the Capital
All the foreign Legations are
guarded by troops from the foreign
men-of-war at Chemulpo, which our
informant states consisted of, when he
left, one Russian, two French, one
German, one American, one British
and one japanese. The French gun.
boat Lyon and the British gunboat
Archer act alternately as despatch
boats, carrying official documents fol
the Legations of Chefoo, the japanese
opening all mail before permitting il to
be forwarded. From the transports
there are four small steamers running
to army headquarters, three miles from
Seoul, and at this point is an immense
building filled with ammunition which
is guarded by thousands of troops. AT
this point is an immense stock of wood
in bundles so weather. worn as to give
the impression that they were provided
years ago, charcoal, 200 tubs of sake,
provisions and everything that will as.
sure ample supplies if the troops are
cut off for even a year.
The discipline among the troops com.
mands the admiration OF all, and
wherever you meet an officer he is found
to speak English, French and German.
In reference to the battle at Asan, the
contending armies consisted of 1000 or
5000 men on each side, and in the first
two attacks the japanese were repulsed
but in the third attack they were victo-
rious. For 100 miles around Seoul the
mountains are occupied by the japanese
troops who are well entrenched and are
supplied with guns. Besides being con-
nected by telephone lines, they use flag
signals by day and flash lights by night.
Sentries are all over the country, and
no Chinaman is allowed to go north of
Seoul; one captured sixty miles away
was compelled to walk back.
There We're IA, 900 japanese troops in
Korea when our informant left, and il
was said the transports off Chemulpo
contained $4,000 or 10000 more. 1t is
said that the King is really trying to do
all in his power for Korea, but has been
held back by the unprincipled men he
has had in office, but the new Cabinet
were working smoothly and would back
up the King in reforming the abuses on
all sides. Min Yung Jane has been
banished,
If our contemporaries will place any
reliance upon the report OF gentleman,
who being on the spot ought to know,
we hone they will give I'm their daiIy pa