The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-16
PORT ARTHUR HOLDING OUT
A SanguinaTy Battle Expected if the
Chinese Show Fight.


The Land Forts of the Town Much
Stronger Than Those to the Seaward
The Report of Talien VANS Capture
Also Denied by the Chinese-A Por-
tion of Gen. Sung's Army Reported to
Have Recaptured Kin Chow.
London, Nov. ia dispatch to the Pail
Mall Gazette from Yokohama says that
the land forts at Port Arthur, comprising
the defenses in the rear, are much
stronger than the seaward ports, the
enemy having placed in them one hun
dred additional guns. The japanese ex-
pect that if the Chinese make any de-
fense of the positions the engagements
will be a sangunary one.
A dispatch from Chemulpo to a news
agency says that the officials of the Ko-
rean government, whose tendencies are
pro-Japanese, are framing a constitution
to be issued at the beginning of 1895.
a dispatch from Tien Tsin says it is re-
ported there that Col. Won Hannekin has
been put in complete command of the
Chinese navy.
The Shanghai correspondent of the Cen
tral News says that the emperor of China
received the foreign ministers to-day with
in the precincts of the Pekin palace.
Ii Hung Chang's vicissitudes have had
a noteworthy effect upon his hold upon
the popular mind. A caricature pub
lished in Tien-Tsin and pasted on the
walls represents him on the back of tor
toise with cannon under his right arm,
sinking japanese cruiser Another
shows him as a fish on the point of being
n i q
is called Wongpa-the lowest name of
derision.
Tien-Tsin, Nov. 15.-Chinese reports re-
ceived here from Port Arthur say that
the Japanese have not yet captured Talen
Wan. 1t is stated that two forts there are
still holding out and that in spite of the
desperate fighting which has taken place
the assaults of the enemy have been re-
pulsed.
From the same source it is stated that
the Japanese are far from Port Arthur
whose defenses have been greatly
strengthened, and it is likely that the
place will offer a determined resistance
to the japanese.
1t is also reported that a portion of
Gen, Sung's army has recaptured Kin
Chow, and that the Japanese have been
driven out of Molten on the road to Pekin
by the Chinese, who afterwards pursued
them for several miles.
Yokohama, Nov. 15.-The newspapers
here resent Great Britain's offer of in
tervention, which they regard as entirely
a movement in behalf of China. They add
that Great Britains influence in the east
is put in jeopardy by this offer, which
wounds Japanese feelings.
Chemulpo, Korea, Nov. 15.-Numbers of
Korean soldiers who have been sent
against the Tong Haks have Joined the
rebels, whose numbers are increasing
daily. The country south of Seoul is in
a state of great turmoil.
Tien Tsin, Nov. 15.-The present where
abouts of the Chinese army which was
defeated at Kiu Lien Cheng is unknown
here.
Washington, Nov. 15.-Representative
Bellamy Storer, of the committee on for
eign affairs of the House of Representa-
tiVes, intends presenting to congress when
it reaSSembles resolution of inquiry as
to the action of Secretary Gresham in
suggesting to China and Japan that this
country will act as mediator in the settle
ment of the present war. Mr. Storer is
now making a careful examination of the
subject with a view to taking the inia-
tive. The resolutions when drawn up
will request the Secretary of State to
transmit to congress all the correspoh-
dence on the subject, not incompatible
with the public service. They will also
ask for information as to what depar-
ture. if any, from the traditional policy
of the government as embodied in the
Monroe doctrine, is contemplated by the
executive branch in becoming a factor in
Asiatic entanglements.
Mr. Storer says he has no desire to en-
barrass the executive branch in any for
eign policy they wish to pursue. But as a
member of the committee on foreign af-
fairs, he says such a foreign policy as is
now contemplated should properly have
the attention and judgment of congress.
In examining the treaty of 1883 between
China and the United States, under which
this government has suggested its willing
ness to mediate, Mr.. Storer says the Ian
guage does not contemplate mediation by
the President or executive branch alone
1t recites in substance that the United
States will exercise their good offices in
case any nation acts unjustly or oppres-
slvely against China. This, Mr.. Storer
points out, suggests the good offices of
the United States but not of the people,
so that it would be proper, and perhaps
essential, that the congressional branch
of the government should act in case such
good offices are to be exercised.
Prom "A casual inspection Of the
treaty" Mr.. Storer adds, "the clause
would hardly seem to warrant a proposi-
ton Of mediation, unless, as the treaty
states, China is being treated unjustly and
oppressively, and I do not suppose this
government would prejudice the trouble
between China and Japan by saying the
latter was acting unjustly and oppres-
sively."
Mr.. Storer says that any action he takes
will be on conservative lines, as he de-
sires to make his inquiry for information,
rather than criticism until the facts are
presented.