Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-28
IN THE ORIENT.
News Confirmed of War Be-
tween China and Japan.
Japanese Victory Over Chinese With
Heavy Loss to Latter.
United States Marines Landed by The Bali.
more to Project Americans.

SHANGHAI, July 81. The statement that
war has been declared between Japan and
Chins is generally accepted here as correct.
The Japanese victory, wherein a number
of Chinese transports were sunk, was gained
on Wednesday. The Chinese loss of life
was very great.
The state department has received no
dispatches from Minister Dun at Toxic,
confirming the declaration of war, and, as
such public declaration would undoubt-
edly be noticed by the American represent
alive, it is not believed here that such ac-
ton has been taken by Japan. Minister
Tateno, who called st the state department,
this morning, said he had no fresh advices
at all from home.
Officials have little doubt now that there
has been more or less fighting in Corea and
that Chinese and Japanese troops will oc-
cssionally meet each other under FIRE for
sometime in the future, but, if commerce
should be too seriously affected or the in
terests of England or Russia jeopardized, it
is believed that the United States will be
asked to arbitrate the controversy.
1t is understood that pressure has been
brought to bear upon China and Japan
from several directions to leave the matter
to the United States, and that this will
probably succeed, although not until much
bad blood that now exists between China
and Japan is spilled.
A force from the United States ship Bal
timore has been landed to protect the Amer
ican legation at Seoul.
The Chinese transports sunk off the
Corean coast by japanese guns belonged to
fleet of IL steamers which sailed from
Taku, July 20, with u 100000 troops.
The fleet left Taku under an escort of gun
boats, while the faster ones steamed at full
speed so as to land their troops as soon as
possible. On the transports which arrived
first at the Corean coast were few hun
dred soldiers, but most of the force, how
ever, consisted of coolies with inferior fire
arms or merely bows and arrows.
The attack upon the steamers by the
Japanese, last Wednesday, is described
briefly in a dispatch received, this evening,
from Nagasaki, The firing was begun by a
Japanese battery on shore while the Chi
nese officers were trying to debark their
men from the first steamer. The Japanese
cruisers then steamed up and opened fire
on all the transports, which were lying to,
waiting to discharge their men. The Chi
nese were unable to make any effective re-
sistence. They were thrown into great
confusion and many jumped overheard to
escape the hot fire, under which two trans
ports suffered severely.
The declaration of war has caused keen
excitement among all classes here. Busi-
ness is virtually suspended. The position
of the japanese residents is precarious.
Europeans best acquainted with the city
think the Sikh police will be strong enough
to protect them from Chinese fanatics
Mobilization proceeds rapidly and prepara-
tions to embark large bodies of troops are be-
ing made with une xpectcd energy. Singapore
firms are providing many of the transports
and stores. The Chinese government
bought two large steamers, yesterday, and
negotiations for others are in progress.
The Japanese have announced that they
will hold the King of Corea as a hostage
until the internal reforms demanded by
them shall have been satisfactorily guaran-
teed. In Seoul the excitement is at white
heat. There has been considerable disorder
and an uprising of the people may come at
any moment.