The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-09
MUST FIGHT AT ONCE.
japanese Not Prepared for N Winter
Campaign i'm China.

WASHINGTON, Oct. S.-The crisis of the
Chino-Japanese war is looked for within
the next ten days or two weeks by those
most interested and best informed on the
contest. The legations of the two coun-
tries are expecting daily to hear that the
decisive battle has been fought. This is
based on the fact that the japanese have
been gradually closing in around Pekin,
and the invading army is compelled by
force of circumstances to strike its blow
at once or not at all. The intense cold
which comes on about the middle of Octo-
Der makes this imperative. The japanese
climate is very mild even in winter, and
the japanese troops are unprepared for
the rigorous climate. at and about
Pekin which is due within two
Weeks Sse of Chinese tneir lS Sefense upon an aais tn as
japanese fully appreciate that it compels
them to concentrate their campaign tor
If possible. days. For that reason they are
expected TO make heroic efforts to decide
the contest at once. They are without the
heavy clothing, camp euur hts, ETC., for
l campaign in the bitter cold.
My Chung is the 49,. the Chinese
legation, whose thorough knowledge Of En-
glish a him the medium of
cation between the legation and the press
and public. Mr.. Chung rs a Yale graduate
and a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon
college fraternity. He is one of the first
without a trace of foreign accent.
secretary Herbert is considering the adj
visibility of detailing an officer of the navy
to proceed to the Asiatic station for the
purpose OF observing the operations of the
hostile fleets of China and Japan. and Sc
curing in regard thereto of in
terest TO the naval profession. In speaking
Of the matter tonight the Secretary said
that. UP to his time, no detail had been
made, but further than this he declined to
discuss the question. Assistant Naval Con-
structor Richard Il. HobSon has volun-
teered for this service and If the depart
Hobson will, in all probability, be allowed
TO 60.
OIficials of the Japanese legation do not
hesitate to affirm that the statement made
IN San Francisco by j. 5. Van Buren,, agent
or the Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
that the private correspondence of Ameri-
can naval officers in Japan is subject TO
government espionage is incorrect. They
attribute its origin to club gossip. In this
connection. Solicitor Stevens points out
that the sanctity of personal correspond
ence is so highly regarded In Japan that
Ii Is guaranteed In the new Constitution.
A similar report was atoat about the time
or Minister kur1noS arrival in this coun-
try, and he sent a card to one of the San
Francisco papers pronouncing IL false.
That the war correspondents are not taken
into full confidence of the military leaders
and permitted to publish all plans of cam
paign Is not considered remarkable. Dur
ing the American civil war correspondents
at the front, IL is asserted, were under
more exacting rules than are imposed upon
those following the Japanese army. OF
has become a conspicuous factor OF all
campaigns, the necessity for seeing TO ii
that he does not iniure the cause of the
army he is attached to has been recog-
nized by the military authorities. The
japanese. ii is declared, are extending I'M
usual privileges to the press.