The record-union., 1894-08-02
sneciaI to the REooRp-UNIox.


at noon to-day by Japan.
The Japanese Government has in
formed the representatives of foreign
powers here that state of war exists be-
tween Japan and China.
GREAT BRITAIN NOTIFIED.
LONDON, Aug. 1.-The Japanese Minis
ter, at O'Clock this afternoon, informed
the Earl of Kimberly, Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs. that state of war
exists between Japan and China.
SOME OF THE Kow sHUNG's PASSENGERS.
SHANGHAI, Aug. 1t is reported that
Colonel Won Hannekin and another for
eIgner, who were on the transport Kow
Shung when she toundered, have been
saved.
AN APOLOGY FROM JAPAN.
TOXIC, Aug. 1.-The japanese Govern
ment has instructed its Minister in Lon
don 10 apologize to Great Britain for fir
ing upon and sinking the transport KOw
Shung while she was flying the British
flag. The Japanese Minister has been in
structed to Inform Great Britain that the
commander on~the Japanese cruiser did
not know that the kow Shung was a
British vessel until after the fight.
Captain Galsworthy of the Kow Shung
and many other persons on the transport
were rescued by the boats of the Japanese
warship.
YOKOHAMA GETS THE NEWS.
YOKOHAMA, Aug. 1.-6 P. MA dis
patch has been received here, supposed
to refer to the koW Shung, but may refer
to the Chen Yuen. 1t says a Chinese
warship and transport having on board
/, 800 troops have been sunk by a Japan
ese warship and a Chinese 'gunDoat was
captured by the Japanese.
The Government OF Japan has been in
formed that Chinese reinforcements have
been sent to Corea, which. Japan con-
siders menace. Messages between
Japanese officials have been stopped by
China.
JAPANESE ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE.
YOKOHAMA, Aug. Following is the
official account from the Japanese Gov
ernments standpoint OF the battle of
July eth between the warships of Japan
and China:
1.-The Chinese cruiser Chin Yuen and
the Kuwani were observed steaming
from kasan, and transport carrying
Chinese soldiers, conveyed by the Chi
nese warship Tsao Kiang, was seen off
Toxic, toward kasan. The japanese
cruisers Atkisua, Yoshino and Naniwa
met the two Chinese warships near
Pautao Island. The Chinese did not
salute, but made warlike preparations.
In order to get out OF the narrow waters
the Japanese cruisers put to sea, where
upon the Tsao kiang pursued the Nan
iva.
1.-The Naniwa thereupon put about and
steamed toward the two Chinese ships.
The Chin Yuen and the Kuwani, how
ever, retreated, and the Chin Yuen
hoisted white flag above the Chinese
naval ensign. The Naniwa consequently
delayed firing upon the warshlp, and
then the transport crossed the bow of the
NanIwa. The lattes fired a blank shot
and signalled the transport to stop.
Meantime the Chin Yuen had approached
under the Naniwa's stern and, when
within 800 meters, discharged torpedo,
which passed through the Japanese war
ship. The Naniwa then opened fire upon
the Chin Iuen and the Yoshino joined in
the action.
''The Chin Yuen finally fled and was
pursued, but not overtaken.
1.-The second Chinese warship, Kuwari
had meantime been engaged with the
japanese cruiser Atkisua. but like the
Chin Yuen, she fled and took refuge be-
tween the shore and the shoal.
1.-The transport carried six guns and
had 100 soldiers on board. The Captain
of the transport surrendered, but the SOL
diers resisted capture. The Naniwa was
ultimately obliged to open fire upon the
transport and sank her. The Captain
and Others were rescued by the boats of
the Naniwa.
1T was afterward discovered the trans
port was the British steamer Kow
Shung. She had on board four chiefs of
battalion and fifteen Colonels of the Chi
neSe army.
1.-The japanese Government so soon as
it was informed OF the sinking of the
British ship expressed its regrets, de-
claring to the British Charge d At1aires,
if. after inquiry had been made, Japan
was shown to be in the wrong, the Japan
ese Government was prepared to max o
all reparation for the loss sustained"
The naval engagement of July 25th
should not be confounded with the naval
battle of July 30th. nor should the Chin
Yuen, Chinese unarmored ship of 1890
tons, in this first encounter, be con-
founded with the Chinese armored battle
ship Chen Yuen of 800 tons.
CHINESE VERSION.
LONDON, Aug. 2.-The Times has re-
ceived the following account of the sink
ing of the Chinese transport Kow Shung
from Che Foo, China:
On July I'd the Japanese Admiral on
the cruiser Matushina Kan, with two
other men-Of-War III his command,
sighted the kow Shung, which was carry
Ing $500 Chinese troops Tor Corea IN
Corean waters, forty miles Oft Chemulpo.
He signaled the kow Shung to stop
where you are or take the consequences. -
The transport, which was flying the
British ensign, promptly came TO anchor.
The Chinese man -ol-War which was con-
sorting her steamed away. Tie Kow
Chung sCaptain, trusting to the protection
OF the British flag, refused the adv of
the Chinese cruiser to steep her anchor
and run.
The Japanese cruiser Naniwa Kan
steamed up near the Kow Shung and sent
party to her with instructions to make
strict scrutiny of the ships papers.
After this had been done there was some
hesitation on the part of the japanese
commander as to the action to be taken
under the circumstances. Finally he
peremptorily ordered me Kow Shung' S
Captain to follow with his vessel. Great
excitement at once arose among the Chi
nese troops on board the transport, and
they told the English officers of the ship
they would not surrender, aud they said:
I'VE refuse to become prisoners. We
would sooner die here. If you move the
ship except to return to China, we will
kill you." They then posted guaro at
the anchor chains, and allowed no one
else TO go near them.
The engineers of the kow Snung sig
nailed to the Naniwa Kan, requesting that
another boat be sent with All officer.
When the officer arrived Colonel Van
Hanneky explained the situation to the
Japanese officer. He told him the Kow
Shung had left China in atime of peace;
| that there had been no declaration OF war;