The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-24
JAPAN MAIL To OCTOBER :.
a Big Army Sent to China-Chinese Es.
capped From Pfngyang.

esped From Pfngyang.
YOKOHAMA. Oct 7-fPer steamer Ia
coma 10 Victoria, Oct. % The only fresh
facts concerning the sea fight near Tai
kosan harbor that can be trusted are sup
piled by private letters from officers of the
fleet. They are not numerous or espe-
eisliy valuable. They indicate, however.
thar the battle was planned with care and
deliberation, and that, whatever impru-
dcnce may have been shown by individual
commanders, Admiral Ito acted with calm
Judgment throughout. lie warned Wis
count Kabayama, chief of staff, who
Joined the expedition as a spectator, and
was not expected to participate to any ex-
tent in the proceedings. TO keep his mail
steamer Saikio out of danger and sent in
structions to the AEagi that she should
not expose herself TO greatlysuperior forces,
but both ships accepted the heavy odds
and suffered accordingly. AT one stage
of the affair they continued against
large ironclads within 500 meters range.
and were more frequently made targets for
torpedoes than any other of their COM
panions, except possibly the Hiyei Regu-
lar men-of-war would probably justify
themselves In sharing all the perils of
combat, however i'll equipped. but the
Saikio, with no armament bur small Arm
strong and three rapid-hring guns and
merchant crew wholly unused TO handling
artillery. was in no condition TO measure
proves with a pair of 7,000-ton battle
ships. Such deeds. though brilliant aud
picturesque, belong rather 10 the category
in which the Bslaklaya charge is included
than 10 methods of practical warfare
Ii is now known that several Europeans
in addition TO Won Hanneken served on
board the Chinese ships IN the battle. Two
of them, both English, were killei-Pur.
Wis, al engineer OF the Chin Yuen. and
Nichols. an instructor on the Ting Yuen.
McGifieu and Hikmau. OF the Chen Yuen.
were wounded and AlhFecht and Hoffman.
being on the Tsi Iuen, were unharmed.
\ reroTt from Hangkons states shat a
number II foreigners IN the customs al
mlnistration have been summoned TO take
command OF warships ~ the north. Nv
way oEcontrast. it is note orthy that none
bat natives OF Japan are permitted 20 serve
in either the army or navy Of that empire.
At the beginning Of the war instructions
were sent from the japanese navy depsrt-
ment taat ia time 81 battle competent off.
Gers should be detailed on all shius 70
watch and record the effect OF their rro-
iectiles upon the enemv's defenses, and
also the capacity Of their own armor TO re-
slat shot and she'll. IL seems, however. bv
40 means certain that any evidence As 10
what happens at a distance Of a mile or
two can be trusted, however Aithfal and
scrupulous witnesses may be. II Is the
conviction Of al on board the Matsushirna
that shelf from that ship pierced the
side OF the Ting Yuen and set
the interior on tire. while the Chi
nese emphatieaily declare that nothing
q the sort happened. A great deal Of
sitting testimony will be necessary before
the exact truth on this and other import
ant points can be obtained. Facts come
in very slowly. Only two days ago news
wAs received that the kwang kai. anew
i00a-soa cruiser. ran ashore While trying
20 escape on the night OF September Il.
and Was afterwards destroyed by japanese
toFpedoes. The information comes from
Cheeloo. and IL IL is confirmed the list Of
Chinese losses must be increased 20 five.
The japanese government Is not ye,
prepared with fuu reports 81 The Pinxyane
campaign aud the only fresh intellieence
from that quarter Is provided by news
paper correspondents. who. while enlare-
-
40 light upon the stHl unsettled quss-
tons of the battle. Everything. toa.
relating - the excellent strateEetic
pan by whieh the Chinese wsru
surrounded anl simultaneously attacked
GA various sides : thoroughly confirmed,
bat the escape ~ nearly the Whole defend
ing force remains unexplained. Some
writers from the Geld declare that TIE d.
rect road - Wllu. on the ffont.er, sas
deslencdiy isfI open. the cemmandIEE
generals havlng 30 desire % be bgrdeaei
uith a multitude 81 prisoners. AMI knoW-
inE that % release them on Parole would
lie merely a buFiesque, Ghls exp analiou
5 scarcely consistent sHh the extreme
care shown Ia comp et.ns their c!rcuii 81
pugyang before delivering the atsAek.
The japanese army movements are car
rssa on sttA great secrecy. ogt the era
hAFkG.lon 81 a fall corps canaat be aecogn-
plishei Sighout attracting tAe curious at
tsniloa ~ the pualie. Wishla Toe last tao
wseks portions OF three divisloas recently
plaosa GaasE 0en. uy&@as command,