St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-07-28

vantage in the Beginning OF
the Struggle Between the Two
Nations.
TEN TsIN. China. July 27.-The gray
ity of the situation is fully realized here,
now that hostilities between China and
Japan have commenced. While no
formal declaration Of war, according to
the usual diplomatic forms, has been
made, either at Tokio.or at Pekin. the
governments of both countries recognize
that an actual state of war exists and
more collisions between the forces OF
the two countries are expected hourly.
Considerable anxiety is expressed here
as to the result OF the war. Fhe
general opinion is that while Japan
may be looked upon as likely to score
the first victories. the Chinese troops
will eventually drive the Japanese out
of Corea. even if millions OF me have
to be sent to the front to do so. Pour
parties are still in progress, and there is
vague chance yet that in spite Of the
commencement OF hoStilities, some
ainicable arrangement may be arrived
at. Should this be the case. the
naval engagements already known
to have taken place between the Chinese
and Japanese fleets will be mutually
dISavowed. Otherwise these collisions
will be held to constitute casus belfi.
But to all intents and purposes war has
been declared. Nobody here close to
the authorities at Pekin believes for a
moment that the disputes can be set
tied without bioodshed. The Chinese
and the Japanese hate each other. and
now that the first shots have been ex.
changed, and China has had the worst
OF the engagements, nothing but
A DECISIVE STRUGGLE
between the two countries can DE an
ticipated. OF course interested parties
having large commercial interests at
stake are leaving no stone gnturaed to
smooth over the difficulties which have
arisen. but it does not look as if there
is one chance in hundred of averting
a long aud costly war. Japan has been
preparing for this very crisis for
years, and for this reason, if
for no other, she will resent any Euro
peaH interference. This, however, will
be done with dignified politeness. but
she will firmly refuse 10 sheathe the
sword, now that it has been drawn, and
that she is victorious in the first en-
gageInents over her hated fee.
The first overt act oil war occurred
on Tuesday last. The Japanese fired
on and sunk the steamship Kow Shung.
belonging to Hugh Mathiesou & Co., of
London, which had been chartered by
the Chinese government to convey
troops to Corea. Fall details of this
engagement are not obtainabie, as the
facts are carefully withheld from the
pub lie. and will be so withheld un-
til there is no longer the slightest
chance of averting bloody war be-
tween China and Japan. But according
to adyices received Japanese cruiser
sighted the kow ShuDg and ran within
easy range Of her. She then s1gdaled
the transport to put back. The trans
port continued steaming ahead, until
the cruiser fired
A SHOT ACROSS HER BOWS.
No attention being paid to this, says
the story. the Japanese cruiser opened
fire upon the transport in earnest, put
number of shot into her, and the trans
pUrt eventually sunk with all hands.
The number of people drowned is not
known, but it is believed there must
have been about thousand Chinese
soldiers on board. A number of trading
boats belonging to Chinese companies.
which have been intimately connected
with the Mathieson steamers. i'll the
China coast trade, have been
taken over by Hugh Mathieson & Co.,
and will hereafter fly the British flag.
The kow Shung was vessel Of about
1,400 TONS, and had been trading in the
China seas for some time past. The
Chinese officials see n to look upon the
war with Japan as likely 10 be of very
short duration. They claim that China
can pour troops into Corea in such num-
berS that the result of the war can never
be In doubt.
So far as the two navies are con-
cern5d. China has about thirty war
ships, large ana small, of which five are
fairly good armored ships, armed with
krupp guns. In addition. she has
chartered number of transports, and
these are being armed as rapidly as pos
sibie and with the best guns China is
able to procure. On the other hand the
Japanese navy consists of about twenty
war vessels. including i've armoTed
ships, carrying Krupp guns. So far as
war ships are concerned, it will there
fore be seen, the two navies in numbers
are about evenly matched, although the
ChlDese battjeShipS carry heavier guns
than those OF Japan. But it is believed
that the Japanese naval officers are su-
perior to those OF China, aud the
Japanese war ships are also be.
iieved to be in better condition
than the Chinese. The war, however,
is not likely TO be decided by sea fights.
Corea is peninsula, virtually forming
PART OF CHINA.
and down this peninsula, from the
north. China can pour army after army
until she drives the Japanese into The
sea. Japan is able, no doubt, to defend
herself in her own territory against
Chinese invasion. but nobody here be-
lieves that China Will make any attempt
Of this kind.
Very little accurate news is obtains
able here from Seoul. 1t is known,
however. that the British and United
States war ships at Chemulpo have
landed desachments of marines. which
have been sent to Seoul, in order to pro-
tect the respective legations of Great
Britain and the United States. At
Seoul conflict is said to have taken
some Chinese and Corean soldiers,
the Japanese being victorious.
Shortly afterwards the Japanese made
a prisoner of the King of Corea, and it
is said that they have either sent him 10
Japan, where he will be detained until
the war is over. Rumor also
has it that there has been
second fight at sea between Chinese and
Japanese warships. A Japanese cruiser
is said to have engaged Chinese
cruiser, conveying transport, sinking
the Chinese cruiser. This report, how
ever, may have reference to the sinking
of the kow Shung, already detailed,
though the sinking of this steamer is
said to have occurred Tuesday night.
and the second engagement is reported
to have taken place Wednesday night.
STARTED FROM SHORE.