The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-09

1876. and negotiated the first treaty with
foreign state ever enacted by that coun-
try. Since then he has been close Oh
server of events in the peninsula. During
his term of Office as Minister Of Foreign
Affairs he carefully studied the evils
Which now call for Immediate remedy, and
is now prepared to handle them effica-
clousIy. The fact that statesman OF the
highest grade gives up his occupation at
home TO undertake the preservation OF
civil order and security in the neighooring
kingdom shows that the complications are
seriously regarded by the Government OF
Japan.
On the 9th of September General Yam
agata issued a stirring address 10 the army
which he commands, the language of
which indicates that ratid march through
Manchura is in contemplation and posi-
bly, descent upon Picking. The soldiers
are given TO understand that they will
soon be called upon to "push boldly for
ward and capture The capital Of our foes. I"
There is some question as TO whether this
forecast is 10 be taken literally so far as
lie army Of Korea is concerned. Although
The Japanese authorities conceal their
plans as carefully as ever ii is commonly
believed that the task of assailiDg the
Chinese capital is to be undertaken by
General Oyama's troops, and that Yama-
gata's column is TO proceed no further than
Moukden. Public opinion has, however,
nothing but conjecture to rest upon and
the entire course of military operations
may De changed at a days notice. The
duty that lies Immediately before the
f0 ma q OF
of the Yalu River and the occupation of
kewleen (or Chiullen). a strongly fortified
town. about thirty miles from the frontier.
kewleen stands upon light ground and il
is surrounded by much more inaccessible
walls than those of Phyong- Yang, but,
judging from recent experiences, it is not
likely to offer much obstruction to the
japanese advance. From that point the
distance 10 Moukden IS 80 miles. There
are several intervening places at which an
effective stand might be made by a reso-
lutte com Blatant, but nothing is expected 10
prevent the arrival of the army atilts des.
tiuation by the middle of November. A
great deal has been said about the dangers
TO which the invaders will be exposed on
the approach of winter. but these predic-
tons are believed to be much exaggerated.
All comparisons between the present en-
terpTse and Napoleon's Russian campaign
are wholly overestlmated. The japanese
will be virtually unoppOsed and can res ch
the ancient capital of Manchuria long be.
fore the extreme cold sets in. They are
amply provided with every requisite for
comfort. and should it be found expedient
foT them to remain there until the return
of In mi 10 :.
posed to disturb them.
A few additional items concerning the
capture of PhyOng- Yang have been off.
cially published by the Japanese War
Department. The total number Of earth
works thrown up by the Chinese outside
the city'S walls was twsnty-seven. Fifteen
of these stretched along the southern side
of the Tai-Tong River. each having a
front of about 135 meters. Their average
height was four meters and the exterior
trenches we're deep. Mines were laid be-
meath these works, but nothing ls said as
to whether any OF them were exploded or
not. The southern gate of The city was
defended by five forts, In endeaVoridg 10
hold which the Chinese did their best fight
ing. Four other forts were erected on a
hill north OF Phyong- \ ang, two near the
gate of seven stars and one on the road
from Gensan. From documents found a,
the deserted headquarters. it is computed
that the Chinese force consisted of 1000
men.
The wounds received by General Oshima
at Phyong-Y Yang were sufficiently severe 10
keep him under surgical treatment fol-
nearly month. He left the hospital in
that city on September - and proceeded
to Win. The japanese remark with sur
prise that in many parts of America the
credit Of the Phyong-Yang campaign is
awarded TO General Yamagata. AS mat.
ter of fact that officer had absolutely
nothing to do with it. He had only jusr
arrived in Korea when the battle was
fought, and had not travelled farther nortl
than Seoul. 1t is believed in Japan thai
the plan of operations was devised In
Toxic and that the various movement:
were directed from the imperial head
quarters. The details of the attack were
executed by Generals Oshima and Tatsum
at the south and from the east by Coloue
Soto under General Oseki
DiSorderly outbreaks are of freQuen
occurrence in the Interior OF Korea, calling
in some cases for active interference on
the palt OF Japanese troops. The opinion
that these disturbances are the work o.
the Togaku insurgents is not universal
Many believe that tbe general overthrow
of authority in all but the central pro
vinces has encouraged adventures of al
classes to defy the law and prey upor
their weaker neighbors. The Togaku!
are supposed to still keep up their organ
izatiOn, but their participation in the riot:
which now alarm the pOpulace is no
altogether credited.
Among the examples OF personal bravery
shown by the Japanese in Korea, the fol
lowing have been brought especially t.
the attention of the Emperor: A buge
named Shira Kawa Genjiro. attached t.
the brigade which captured Tong-kwan
finding that his signals of attack did no
reach all the troops. elm bed to the top o
| hill where he was exposed to a deadly
fire. He was struck in the breast by
bnllet, but, though exhortel to retire, con
iinued TO sound the advance until he Eel
| dead. The bugle, when taken from hi
grasp, was wet with the blood that haC
| gushed from his mouth at the last blast
A private named Harada Jukich, VIII.
took part in the assault on the Gembr
gate OF Phyong- \ ang and saw several of hi
comrades wounded in the attempt TO force
an entrance, made a dash at the wall
sealed it alone, jumped down among tn.
| defenders, fought his way to the gate AID
threw it open for the admission of his regi
ment, miraculously escaping without in
| II.