The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-09-26
THE YALOO ENGAGEMENT
An Eye Witness Tribute to
Japanese Skill = British
Steamer Seized.
BIZ Gable to the United Press.

LONDON, Sept. 26. 1S94-A Central
News" despatch from Toxic says the
report recently put in circulation that
an armistice between China and Japan
had been proposed by England and Rus
sia is absolutely untrue.
Marshal Count Oyam, the Japanese
Minister of War, will take personal com
mand of the second army, which is now
embarldng at Hiroshima. The destina-
tion of this army, which numbers about
thirty thousand men, is not known.
Count Sorgon, the Minister of Marine.
will assume, in addition to his own duties,
those of Count Oyam, during the latter s
absence.
The Westminster Gazette" prints a
despatch stating that the Chinese au-
thorities have seized the British steamer
Pathen, Captain Wright, from New York,
on suspicion that her cargo contained
articles contraband of war.
The "St. James Gazette" has a similar
despatch. 1t says that the seizure took
place in the Formosa Channel on Septem-
Der q. The seizure was made in conse-
quence of the receipt by the authorities
of telegram from the Chinese Consul
at Singapore. The despatch adds that
the Pathan will be taken to Kee-Sung,
where she will be overhauled.
A Central News despatch from Shang-
hal says an eye witness gives the follow
ing account of the naval battle of Sep
tember IT.
While eight Chinese warships were ly-
ing at the entrance to the Yalu River
twelve Japanese vessels hove in sight.
The Japanese ships advanced in single
line while the Chinese fleet assumed a v
shaped formation, with the flagship at
tthe apex. In consequence of this, half
the Chinese vessels were rendered use
less. The Japanese, in passing, opened
fire upon the Chinese, who replied to the
best of their ability. After the battle
had been in progress for short time the
Chinese fleet altered it's formation. The
Japanese fleet kept steaming in a circle
around the Chinese. Suddenly the Jap
anese withheld their fire, but after a
quarter hour had elapsed, resumed the
attack and poured a hot fire into the
enemy. The Chinese Armstrong cruiser
went out of line contrary to orders, and
steamed alongside of one of the Japanese
ships and sunk her. The Chinese eruis-
er was sunk shortly afterwards About
this time two Chinese warships, which
had been on guard up the Yalu River,
hearing the firing, Joined the fleet and
took part in the battle. This increased
the number of Chinese ships engaged to
ten. A short time afterward another
Chinese ship was sunk and two others
ran ashore, caught fire and were aband-
oned. After six hours fighting the Jap
anese feet withdrew.
SHORT OF AMMUNITION.
The Chinese ships followed them but
were unable to overtake them. 1t is pre-
sumed that the Japanese ships retired
because they had become short of am
munition.
The damage to the Chih Yuen is
chiefly in her woodwork which is nearly
all burned away. She also received about
200 shot holes in her sides, mostly from
machine guns. None of the shots pierced
her armor more than three inches. The
Chon-Yuen has 120 shot holes in her
sides, and is generally in the same con-
dition as the Chih-Yuen. When the
Ting Yuan. the Chen-Yuen's sister ship,
arrived at Port Arthur, she was three
feet down by the head.
1t will require two months to make the
necessary repairs to the Chinese fleet.
One japanese ship was certainly sunk,
and two others are supposed to have
gone to the bottom. The manoeuvering
of the japanese ships was excellent. All
signals were executed by flag and were
promptly answered throughout the battle
The Chinese ships had scarcely any am
munition left
SERIOUS IN PEKIN.
The situation in Pekin is becoming SER
ious, and trouble is expected there. For
eigners are openly insulted in the streets
by soldiers whose officers make no at
temptsto stop them
Japanese warships are cruising on the
Shan-Tung coast presumably looking for
Chinese transports and cruisers. The for
eign residents of Tein-Tsin are forming
volunteer corps for their own protec-
ton, fearing an attack by the Chinese.
Three of the Chinese Merchant Com
pany's steamers have been sold to a
German firm
An edict has been issued announcing
that the celebration of the Dowager En-
press birthday has been postponed and
that the money collected for the purpose
of the celebration will be devoted to war
expenses.