Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-02
ENGLAND INFORMED
BY the Japanese Minister That War
Exists between China and Japan.


The Japanese minister IN London yester-
DAY Informed the Earl Of Kimberley. the
secretary Of state for foreign affairs, that
d state Of war exists between Japan and
China The Earl Of Kimberley replied that
Great Britain remained neutral In the mat
Ter, although the British government would
Immediately take steps to safeguard Brit
Ssh interests in the far east. So far as the
sinking Of the transport Kow Shng, fly
ing the British flag. is concerned the envoy
WAS Informed. Great Britain awaits the
Statement of the English captain of that
steamer before making any reply to the
apology offered by Japan.
Private advices received In Manchester
England. yesterday from Shanghai say
9hat Japan has ordered the japanese lega-
tion at Pekin to be closed. and has recalled
all the japanese conSuls throughout China.
The Japanese Version.
The following is the official account. from
the japanese governments standpoint, of
the battle which took place on July q be-
tween the warships of Japan and China:
Tine Chinese cruisers the Chih-Yuen and
the kuwanii were observed steaming from
Kasan and a transport carrying Chinese
soldiers. conveyed by the Chinese warship
sIsaO-hiang, was seen coming from Toki
toward kasan-
The Japanese cruisers Akitsusu, Yoshino
and Naniwa met the two Chinese warships
near Pantao Island. The Chinese did not
tsalute. but the other hand they made
Earhke preparations.
in order to get out of the narrow waters
IA which they were situated the Japanese
CRUISERS put TO sea. whereupon the Chin
Yuen pursued the Naniwa.
1.-THE Naniwa thereupon put about and
steamed toward the two Chinese ships The
thih-fuen and the kuwanii. however, re-
Created and the Chih-Yuen hoisted the
no Ian anaSe1 ayva1
Sign A-'e' naval e
Naniwa. consequently, delayed fir
Ing upon the warship and then the trans
port crossed the bow of the Naniwa The
latter fired blank shot and signaled the
transport to stop.
I'm the meantime. the Chih-Yuen had ap-
preached under the Naniwa's stern, and
when within a distance Of 300 meters she
discharged torpedo. which missed the
japanese warship. The Naniwa then OPEN
ed fire upon the Chih-Yuen and the Yoshino
toined In the action. The Chin Yuen finally
He'd and was pursued The Chinese ship,
however, was not overtaken.
The Second Warship Fled.
THE second Chinese warship the Ku-
wani, had. In the meantime been engaged
with the Japanese cruiser Akitsusu, but,
Ike the Chih-Yuen, she finally fled and took
refuge between the shore and a shoal.
THE transport carried six guns and had
p.1O0 soldiers aboard. The captain of the
I
board of her refused to do so and resisted
Rapture. The Naniwa was ultimately
obliged to open fire upon the transport, and
eventually sank her. The captain and
others were rescued by the boats of the
Naniwa
1T was afterward discovered that the
transport was British steamer, the Kow
Ehing. She had on board four chiefs of bat
talion and fifteen colonies Of the Chinese
army, in addition to the soldiers referred
TO.
ssrha fo,.,o.o -wo...-. a.
was Informed of the sinking Of the British
ship. expressed its regrets, declaring to the
British charge d'affaires that II, after an
inquiry into the subject had been made.
Japan was shown to be in the wrong, the
japanese government was prepared to make
full reparation for the loss sustained"
The naval engagement of July 25 should
not be ccnfounded with the naval battle
Fought on July 80. nor should the Chin
Huen. Chinese unarmored ship of 800
tons. in this first encounter, be confounded
with the Chinese armOred battle ship Chen
.Huen. 800 tons. reported sunk in the sec
Ond fight.