Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-07-28
CAV cnusn IArAN.
Chinese Hosts VIII Overcome the
Arms of Their Eucmy.

CAN tHtNH JAFAN.
Chinese Hosts VIII Overcome the
Arms of Their Eucmy.
Tlcn Tain. China. July 27.--Tns gray
ity OF the situation is fully realized
here now that hos,ilitles between China
ana Japan have commenced While
no formal declaration Of wal according
to the usual diplomatic forms has been
made either al Toxic or at Pei,in, the
governments OF both countries rccog-
nize that an actual state OF war exists
and that collisions between tho forces
of the two countries are expected hour
~ Considerable anxiety Is expressed
here us to the reuAlt OF the war. The
general opinion seems 10 be that while
Japan may be looked upon as likely
20 score the first victories, the Chinese
troops will eventually drive the Jap
anose out OF Corea. even II millions Of
men have to be sent To the front to do
80. Pourpartles are stu In progress
and there Is vague chance that In
spite of the commencement OF hostlli-
ties, some omicable arrangement may
be arrived at. should this be the case
the naval engagements already known
to have taken place between the Chi
nese and Japnegel fleets will be mutu-
ally disaYowcd, otherwise these collls-
Ions VIII be held to constitute cnsus
belli. But To all lntents and
purposes war has been declared,
Nobody here close to the author
tiles at PelSin believes for moment
hn l.a apftlan with
out bloodshed. The Japanese and the
Chinese hate each other and now that
the first shots have beon exchanged
and China has had the worst of the en-
ggonents nothing but n decisive strug-
gle between the two countries can be
anticipated. OF course, interested par
ties having large commercial intereste
at stake are leaving no stone unturned
TO smooth over the difficulties which
have arishn, but 1t does not look as
If there IL one chance In a hundred OF
averting long and costly war. Japan
has been preparing for this very csiaiH
for years aud for this reason, II for
no other, she viii resent any European
Interference. This, however, Will be
done with dlgnihed .politonesa. but she
viii firmly refuse to sheath the sword
now that 1t has been drawn and that
she is victorious in the first engage
ments over her hated foe,
The first overt net Of war occurred
on Tuesday hist The Japanese fired
on aud sunk the steamship kow
Shung belonging 20 Hugh MnthieHOn
e Co Of London. which had been char
tered by the Chinese government 10
convey troops TO Corca Fun details
or this engagement are not yet oh
tainable, ns the facts are carefully
withheld from the public, and Will be
Ia
the slightest chance OF aNcrtlng a
bloody war between China and ia
pan. But according TO advlcca re-
celved Japanese cruiser sighted the
Kow Shung and ran within easy range
OF her. She then Hignalled the trans
port to put back. The transport com
iinued stcamlng ahead until the cruiser
fired shot across her bow No at
tention being paid TO this. according
10 the story. the Japanese cruiser
opened FIRE upon the transport In earn
es,. put number OF shot Into her and
the transport eventually sunk with all
hands The number OF people drown
ed IA not known, but II ~ believed
that there must have been about 1000
Chinese soldiers on board. a number
Of trading boats belonging TO Chinese
companies, which have been intimately
connected with the Mathieaon'E steam
been taken over by Hugh Mathieson
& Co. and viii hereafter ny the Brit
lsh flag. The Kow Shumg was yes
sci OF about 1900 tons and had been
trading in the China seas for some
time past.
The Chinese officials seem 10 look
upon the war with Japan MS likely
10 be OF very short duration. They
claim that China can pour troops into
q fs, t~1. ,tft that a.
suit OF the war can never be In doubt
SO far as the two nhvies are con-
cerned, China has about thirty war
ships large and small, OF which five
are fairly good armored ships armed
with Krupp guns. In addition, she
has chartered number OF transports,
and these are being armed as rapidly
as possible. and with the best guns
China IL able 10 procure. on the other
hand. the Japanese navy consists OF
about thirty war vessels. including five
nrmored ships carrying Krupp guns
So far ns warshlps are concerned II
win. therefore, be seen tho two ma
vies. IN numbers, are about evenly
matched. although the Chinese bat
tieships carry heavier guns than those
~ JapFn.
naval officers are superior 10 those OF
China. and the Japanese warships are
also belived to be IN a better oondi-
lion than the Chinese. The war, how
ever. N not likely TO be decided by
sea nights. Corea H. a peninsula, vir-
tuaiiy forming part OF China. and
down this peninsula from the North
China can pour army after army until
she drives the japanese into the yea.
Japan is able. no doubt. TO defend
herself ia her territory against CHI
nese invasion. but nobody here believes
that China will make any such at
tempt.
Very little accurate news is obtain
able here from Seoul. II n known
however that the British and United
States warahips at chemnlpo have