Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-21
A BATTLE IMMINENT.
Changes Army and IA Large Force OF Japs
Are Nearing Each Other.

LONDON, August 2o.-A dispatch to the
Central News from Shanghai says that
Chinese gunboats and warships are
cruising the Gulf OF Pe-Chi-Li. with the
object of preventing the Japanese from
landing troops in China. The chinese
ves.ls have hiding-p places in the numerous
bays and arms of the gulf, whence they
are able TO observe the movements Oh
the enemy without being seen nuinoer
of Japanese were conveying troop-ships IN
the Yellow. but their destination ID ho'
known. 1900 .-
II Hung Changes army. 5000 strong,
and a large force of Japanese troops are
nearing each other, and IL battle Is I'M
minent. ,t.
from molesting Chinese merchant vessels
not carrying articles contraband OF war.
Admiral Ting, commander OF the chi
nese feet Is DESTROYS OF engaging III open
search for foreign warships In 'hihese
waters. but he is unable to carry out
his wishes, as the Niceroys orders are
that an engagement with the JAPANESE
squadron must be avoided.
DOESN'T WANT ANOTHER ALABA-
MA.
LONDON, August 20.-The Earl OF KIM
berley. Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs. has ordered the customs autnori-
ties AT Glasgow to seize the warshlp
Islam. which is being fitted out there lor
either China or Japan. This order was
issued under the foreign enlistment act
as was also the order OF last Saturday 10
seize at Newcastle the torpedo-catcher
built at the Eswick works for emma.
The Globe this afternoon applauds thc
government for acting with vlgor In pre-
ct 20 no
saving: 1T Is plain that II does not IN
tend TO allow another Alabama to be
fitted out We were very sore about the
Alabama decision. yet there Is no doubt
that IL was In principle, perfectly right.
The Globes comments were caused by
the order TO seize under the foreign-en-
listment act, a torpedo-catcher built AT
the Elswick works for China and detaln
it until condemned or released by pro-
cess of law.
INTERESTING WAR NOTES.
Mail advises from China received here
show that the Chinese government has
prohibited the expectation OF horses.
Horses are regarded as contraband OF
war by Japan.
Urgent orders have been sent from the
northern to the southern arsenals for
powder and other munitions. Recruiting
of the army is progressing actively.
China has accepted the offer of I.ui-
Yung-Fi the former chief OF the Black
Flags In TonqUin, who IL now naval
commodore at Canton. to reorganize the
Black Flags to fight against Japan.
ALLEGED CHINESE ROUT.
ASAN FRANCISCO. August 20.-The Ex-
aminer prints the following special:
SICHI-GEN, KOREA, August "a
bloody battle has just been fought at
Songhwan. This place is the headquarters
of the japanese general. Oshma. and Is
one Of the most important villages of the
kingdom. The Chinese have very strong
forthcations at Songhwan. and 17.O00
troops are said to be stationed there. The
japanese were determined TO capture the
arms and provisions, and beited the army
by a clever bit of intrigue. They gave IL
out that they were going to march back
to Asan. and In fact. they did parade for
considerable distance in that direction.
but no sooner were they convinced OF the
success of their scheme in making the
Chinese believe that they had left the set
| Element, than they marched with a rush
straight up 10 the Notifications. attacking
| them In a body. They made a clean sweep
! OF everything in the course of five hours
| fighting
The Chinese were unprepared, and for
| the sake OF truth. be II known. they were
"chin-chinning'' the war joss-that Is.
bowling, ''kowtowing." and firing crackers
| of to a big wooden deity set upon a
| cannon ball.
About 1000 Chinese were killed In the
| engagement, and seventy Japanese. The
| Chinese. with their usual cowardice. de-
serted many of the Fan Kwai foreign
| devil officers). and when given orders to