The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-28
THE BATTLE AT SEOUL.
THE FIRING VAS BEGUN BY AJAP.
ANESE BATrEKY.
The Chinese Governments Hasty Prepnrs-
nons to Send Large Bodies OF Troops
to Corea-Wsr Begun In Earnest.

| SHANGHAI, July 1.-THE Chinese
transports sunk off the Corean coast be-
longed TO the fleet OF eleven steamers
which sailed from Taku Friday, July 10Th.
| with 1000 troops. The fleet left Taku
under escort of eight gun-bOats The ma
Jority OF the transports proceeded slowly
with the gun-boats. while the faster ones
steamed at full speed SO as to land their
troops as soon as possible.
In the transports which arrived first at
| the COrean coast were a few hundred
| soldiers from the Army of the North.
Most Of the force, however, consisted OF
| coolies with inferior firearms or merely
| bows and arrows
The ATTACH UPON THE sTRAMERs,
| The attack upon the steamers from the
| Japanese guns last Wednesday Is describ-
! ed briefly Ia Il dispatch received mere.
| The firing was begun by Japanese bat
terry on the shore. while the Chinese Off
GERS were trying 10 deDark their men from
the first steamer. The cruiser then steam
| ed up and opened fire on all the trans
! ports which were lying to, waiting 10 uls-
charge the men. The Chinese were unable
10 make any effective resistance They
| were thrown into great confusion, and
! many jumped overheard 10 escape the
| hot fire. under which two transports sur
| fered severely.
| CHINEsK OFFICIALS BITICENT.
! The Chinese ofncials here do not confirm
! these reports. They are exceedingly re-
! ticent IA 10 every report concerning hos
! tilties I'm COrea. The beginning OF hOstili~
! ties has caused keen excitement among
| all classes here. business IS virtually sus-
| pended, although many smaller firms
! have made desultOry efforts 10 sustain
! their trade.
The position of the Japanese residents
Is precaTious. For weeks me more pros
porous japanese have been leaving the
| city. but many Of the poor and middle
| classes still remain. The Europeans best
| acquainted with the city think that the
| SKI police Will be- strong enough TO pro-
| teCt them from Chinese fanatics.
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
! The Viceroy is confident that the
| Northern army is sufficiently strong
! to cope with the japanese force and
| he does not intend TO employ the South
ern army, except In case Of extreme
| rapidly. and the preparations TO embark
! large bodies OF troops are making with
| unexpected energy. The Chinese Gov
| erument bought two large steamers
! yesterday ana negotiations for others
| The Japanese have announced that
! they viii hold the King OF C0rea as
manded by them shall have been sats-
! factDrily guaranteed. In Seoul the cX-
| citement IS al white heat There has
| been considerable disturbance and up
| rising may come at any moment.
No FORMAL NOTICE AT WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, July ZIP to the
| close Of office hours the state Depart
| ment was without any formal notice of
declaration Of war between China and
Japan, and, so far as could be learned,
! the only telegrams bearing on the Situa-
tion in Asia was the cable dispatch from
captain Day, OF the Baltimore, an
nouncing that the japanese held the Co
rean King captive, and that be had land
ed marines 10 protect the United States
| legation at Seoul. This capital Is distant
| about twenty-five miles from CnemulpO.
| where the Baltimore lies and as there
Is only narrow foOt-path ana no rail-
roads, the marines must have marched
| the distance.
JAPAN CHALLENGES CHINA.
YOKOHAMA, July &.-Cable communi-
cation between Japan and COred is in
terlupted. but it is rumOred here in semi
| official circles that . japanese Warship
| KasanupOn. receiving hostile prOvOcatiOn.
LONDON, July N-Telegraphic cOmmu-
| nicauon with Corea il interrupted, and
the widest rumors are In circulation.
Hugh MathieSDn & Co., the Chinese
Government agents in England to-day re-
ceived cable message which also con-
nrms the announcement that war has
been declared between emma ana Japan.
Neither the British Government nor the
Chinese or japanese legations have any
official advices Of the declaration of war.
REPORTS THAT WAR HAS NOT BEkN DECLARED.
LONDON. July N.-SeveraI morning
daiiies print this dispatch from Tien
Isin.
War has not been declared officially
either in Toxic or Pekin. Ii IL believed in
Government circles that il Will not be
declared for several days. II the exchanges
now proceeding results amicably. the coll
lisions that have already taken place will
be mutually disavOwcd. Otherwise they
viii be regarded as casus belu. The trans
port which was sunk by the japanese
was the Kew Shung. owned by Mathies0n
& Company. II is reported that all were
lost. The MathesOns have taken over q
number Of Chinese cOasting vessels Here
after they will sail their steamers under
the British flag.
Telegraphing between Japan and COrea
has been stopped therefore no direct re-
ports can be obtained IN Yokohama, where
nothing is known Of a declaration Of war
The japanese authorities stopped on sun
day the Nagash mail steamer bound
for Shanghai.