The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1894-08-03
WAR INEVITABLE
The King Of Corea Captured by Japa.
nese TrOOps-He Will Be Reid
Until the War Is Over.
WIN THE FIRST FIGHT
A Chinese Transport with a Thousand
Troops on Board Sunk and
All Perish.

lien ISM, July 2I-While no formal
declartion Of war according to the usual
diplomatic forms has been made, the
governments Of both China and Japan
recognize that an actual state Of war ex-
lists and more collisions are expected
hourly. The general opinion seems to
be that while Japan may be looked upon
as scoring the first victories the Chinese
troops eventually will drive the Japanese
out Of Corea, even il millions Of people
have to be sent to the front. Negotia-
tons are still In progress and there is a
vague cbar.ce that an amicable arrange
ment may be made. Should this be the
case the naval engagements that Lave
taken place will be disavowed, other
wise these collisions will be held
to constitute the casus belli. Nobody
close to the sutorities at Pekin believes
for a moment that the disputes can be
settled without bloodshed. The first
overt act OF wal occurred Tuesday, when
the Japanese fred upon the junk steam
ship Row Shung, belonging to Hugh
Matheson Of London, which had been
chartered by the Chinese government to
convey troops to Corea. The Japanese
cruiser sighted the Kow Shung and sig
nailed her to put back. The transport
continued steaming ahead until the
cruiser fired upon her. No attention
being paid to this, according to the story,
the Japanese cruiser opened fire in ear
mess, and the transport was eventually
sunk with all hands. 1t lie believed a
Thousand Chinese soldiers persisted.
Chinese officials claim that China can
pour troops into Corea in such numbers
that the result of the war can never be
doubted. The British and United States
war ships at Chemulpo have landed de-
tachments Of marines at Seoul in order
to protect the legations. At Seoul a
conflict is eaid to have occurred between
the Japanese and some Chinese and
Corean soldiers, the Japanese being VIC
torious. Shortly afterward the Japanese
made a prisoner OF the king OF Corea,
and it is said have sent him to Japan
where he will remain until the war is
over. Rumors also has it Wednesday a
conveying a transport.
LONDON, July GA dispatch receiv-
ed at 11:20 a. m. today from the Lloyd
agent at Shanghai, China. confirms the
announcement exclusivele cabled the
Associated Press last Saturday that war
between China and Japan has been de-
clared. Hugh Mathieson & Co., the
Chinese government agents in England,
have received a message which also con
firms the announcement. Both Chinese
and Japanese ministers say they have
not been officially informed that war has
been declared. They also claim to be
ignorant of the fact hat the Japanese
have captured the king Of Corea. The
immediate cause of the declaration OF
wal is said to be the fact, exclusively an
nounced by the Associated Press July
"a. that the Japanese attacked the
Chinese transports conveying troops to
Corea. 1t is believed a number oil
Chinese ships have been sunk by
Japanese cruisers. Telegraphic commu'
~nlcation has twice been completely in.
terrupted beyond Magasaki, japan, and
all messages have been delayed. II the
treaty ports remain open, England Ok
poets to make a large profit out Of the
war, while the fact that Russia is direct
ly or indirectly giving assistance to japan
is likely to place a perpetual stop upon
Rassia's trade progress with China.