The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-22
Japan and China Are Actively
Preparing for War.
KOREAN CONCESSION TO JAPAN.
It Night End the Trouble if China
Would Give Consent.
Japan the Aggressor and Her People
Eager for war-The Island Empire
Has the Better Navy. but China Has
Far the larger Army.

posed by Japan. British and United
States marines have been landed at Seoul,
the capital OF Korea. IN order 10 protect
the British and American legations. China
having requested that japanese warships
be not allowed 10 enter the Chinese treaty
ports. Japan. replying maintains the right
20 enter these ports AZ any time. The ats
ttGds OF the population generally Is war
ike. IL has been learned here that 1900
Chinese troops have received orders to
proceed with all possible dispatch TO
| korea.
japan has chartered all the Nitsuti
Bassan Companys ships. ia addition 10
the sixteen already chartered from the
Wusen kaisha Company. Japan has pro-
hibited the departure of the Ysen.
CHINA PREPARING FOR WAR
SHANGHAI, july 2L-The report that war
had been declared between China and
Japan is not vet confirmed, but China is
preparing for war. The Chinese are block
ing the northern passage of the 4 Iangtse-
kiang, the great river of China Incoming
vesssis are thus compelled 10 pass nearer
the Woosung forts. Telegraphc commu-
nlcation with Pekiug has been stopped on
l account of floods.
CHINA OUGHT TO wfE.
WAsHfSeToN CRY. July 2l-Mr Tateno,
the Japanese minister. said today that lls
did not credit the Shanghai report OF a
declaration of war between China and
Japan. None of his adviees has indicated
the probability of a conflict, and the latest
cablegrams received from his governments
! date back week. Had the report of a
declaration of war emanated from Yoko-
hama or Pekin, at or near the seat of the
| respective governments, IT might have
| some foundation, but the fact that the re-
port comes from Shanghai a long distance
| from either of the above named places.
and where there are many foreigners and
spectators. he said, was almost con-
yincing to HIM that the rumor was m
correct
The war rumor found no official corfir-
nation OF the state department. which
naturally would be quickly advised of an
event of this importance by Dir. Dunn, at
/ Tokyo. Still, the belief is general in gov
ernment circles that the situation is very
4 critical, and il would not surprise them If
il appeared that the report Is only prema-
ture. Consequently there is already some
speculation as to the outcome OF conflict
between these two popuious nations
Probably the war would begin at sea,
and il is thought in naval circles that at
the start the Japanese would have the nd
/ vantage; In fact, their vessels are in con-
dition for immediate service. But Ii seems
the two nations are nearly even in their
naval strength. The Chinese navy con-
1 sists of thirty vessels. but many of these
are old and obsolete in type. There nre
| five efficient armored ships. built within
the last twelve years, four being battle.
ships-the Chen Yuen. King Ytien, Lai-
| Yuen and Tong Yuen aud one. the Ping
Yuen, coast defense ship. There is also
| m armed wooden eunboat, the Tien Sing.
/ These vessels are armed with krupp guns.
the Chen Yuen, of :, 430 tons, carrying l2-
inch rifles There are nineteen cruisers
/ carrying Armstrong and krupp guns,
/ two torpedo cruisers and several small gun
ships The japanese navy consists of thirty
1 two vessels OF all kinds including
/ i've armored ships, the Fu 500, Hi zee.
/ Ron Go, Rio 10 and Tschi Yoda. These
range from 1900 to 3,T00 tons, and are
armed with krupp guns. which are lighter
/ than the Chinese battleshfps carry. There
are fourteen cruisers of good size and we'll
armed with krupp and Canet guns. seven
gun vessels of small tonnage, three coast
4 defense ships with i2-iRch French rides.
I half dozen carvettcs aud lew training
ships Bnt this balance Of resources does
I notextend to the army, in which China has
/ an enormous advantage ia numbers. In
time OF peace China's army numbers 30O.s
I 90, TO Japan's 73 COO but on n war footing
I the Chinese strength is 100000 men.
while the Jspansse forces under ike con-
+ ditions are 100000. with 2o,oOO police Ia
1 view Of these figures military experts here
/ believe that while Japan might obtain
1 temporary advantage ia the early stages
I Of war with China. she would be very
7 likely to be ultimately overwhelmed by
I such force Of numbers.
THK RFFoRNs DEMANDED ET JAPAN
/ The announcement that Korea had con-
ssnted to the reforms proposed by Japan
I caused officials OF the japanese lsgarion
/ here 10 express the hope that this would
end the strained relations between Japan
aud China. This depends, however, il
vas said on whsthsr China gave her con-
I sent in the matter aud allowed the pro
! posed reforms 70 be instituted China, il
I j. said at the japanese legation. has three
times refused her assent 10 cooperation
( With Japan ~ she Institution of tie reforms
I desired in Korea NOW that Korea has
/ agreed TO the reforms. II Is suggested that
1 Japan. assisted by Korea, car 20 ahead
and remedy the existing condition Of az
/ fairs. No specific statement Of the re-
+ forms desired has been received yet at the
f japanese legation here bat the general
/ tenor is known, and they include changes
( ia tie system of taxation and the renlcvai
+ oI restrictions that now exist in trade. At
( this time, il Is said az ihe legation, the
agricultural and mechanical interests OF
I Korea are absolutely subject % the mh!tn
i Of the local officisig. who have 1t in their
power to maze arbitrary regulations
that CAUSE trouble. and frequently
popular upr.slngs. The hscaI methods Of
( tae country sra said u be radical reforms
I Iaran does the banking business of the
I country, and the government j. fre-
f sEsntiy called upon "a press the Koreans
for moaey due the japanese. aud which il
! is asserted sh0ald n@ easily collected by
TIE courts. Japan also wants the Korean
I judiciary system rsiorued, as under tltaf
+ now ia vogue cruel and aRUsgRl pnnis1-
sssnt j. inflicted and iuqaisitorial methods
/ prevail 70 the injury q japanese busi-
ness mea- The japanese Furthermore
/ want sssurancss OF greater Liberty and
! safer travel throughout Korea. japanese
! ueNspapers received AZ the Legations here
recently sho9 that with fen exceptions
tne eoncensas OF editorial optB ION - favor
able 20 tie attitude assumed by tie goY-
-. -