The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-27
WAR IN ORIENT.
No Doubt That China and
Japan Are at It.
News Hard To Get and AngIo-Chinese
Houses are R~eticent.

here at II 30 a. m. today from Lloyd's
agent at Shanghai confirms the nnounce
ment, exclusively cabled to the Associ-
ated Press on Saturday last, that war be-
tween China and Japan has been declared.
Although telegraphic communication
with Corea Is interrupted private dis
patches have been received which state
that fighting has taken place between
the Japanese and Chinese war ships
and transports and the Chinese are said to
have had the worst OF 1t. One report has
IL that several Chinese transports and q
Chinese warship have been sunk and q
number of other Chinese ships are re-
ported disabled. .
Hugh Mathieson g. Co., the Chinese
government agents in England, at / p. m.
today received a cable message which also
confirmed the announcement that war
had been declared between China and
Japan.
Up to noon, however, neither the
Chinese nor Japanese ministers had re-
ceived any advices which would enable
them to confirm the report OF the outbreak
of hostilifies which apparently followed
Chinese and Japanese ministers assert that
they have not been officially informed
that war has been declared, claiming that
the only information they have on the
subject Is derived from the newspaper
dispatches. The ministers referred to also
Cldlm 10 DC lEuOfhub Vi dbythihk NhAeh
would tend to confirm the report that the
japanese have captured the King OF
Corea.
The only press dispatches received in
London are those which have been for
warded to the Associated Press, namely,
a dispatch from Shanghai, dated 10 a. m,
which announced that yesterday evening
n telegram was received from a high au-
thority at Tien-Tsin, reporting that the
prospects for the continuance OF peace
were more favorable.
The Shanghai dispatch added, however
that wal had been declared between China
and Japan, and that rumors were in cir
culation there to the effect that seve-
raj Chinese warships were in trouble
Mr.. Hugh Mathieson, when ques-
toned on the subject today by
a representative OF the Associated Press,
said that he expected that the war at the
outset would be favorable to Japan, al
that country had long been preparing FOL
this contest by drilling armies OF men anc
manning and equipping warships.
Mr.. Mathieson added that the Japaanes
was also a quicker moving nation AM
c~onsequently il would be but natural tina
the first engagements between them an
the slower moving Chinese would result
in victory for the soldiers and sailors o
eventually China must and will crust
mas HOSTS ursSfe6.HLA.-@
"Japan is absolutely unable to pour on
such a torrent and material as China
which country can carry ON the war 10
many years, IL necessary, and always wit
fresh troops.
"China OF recent years has purchase
large quantities of munitions OF war, an
is not so far behind in this respect as gen
orally believed"
The anage OF the Hong Kong an
Shanghai Bank said:
al have not received any confrmatio
OF the report that war has been declare
between China and Japan, but shoul
not be surprised il such was the case.
zone OF the results of war will be to pu
the great trade in the hands England an
Europe to the disadvantage OF China an
Japan, but the end Of the war will be tn
making of China everywhere, and til
opening Of China for all time to Wester
civilization and trade"
The Associated Press correspondent
finds that the consensus OF opinion
London shows that England is in syn
patty with China. This Is owing main
TO Russia's active wish to see Japan SUI
ceesful and thus form a barrier to Emf
lands progress in the far East.
Some of the Anglo-C Chinese traders
this city suggest doubts as to China
ability to cope with japan as it is know
here that much OF the Chine
war equipment recently purchased
Europe. is bad. For instance.
Austrian Mannlicher rifles with a larI
amount OF ammunition for their weapon
were recently sold to China, and 1t Is r
ported that the cartridges sold to them a
not fit to be used.
The actual cause of the declaration
war outside of the recently growing col
plications between China and japan
: regard to Corea is said to be the fact, thu
! as exclusively announced by The Ass
J ciated Press on July "a, the Japant
. attacked the Chinese transports conve
: ing troops to Corea. In this engagement
as the Associated Press exclusively. .
nounced at the time, at least one chine
4 transport was SUM by q Japanese cruis'
1t Is now rumored in Anglo-Chinf
circles that the Chinese suffered We
heavy loss, and il Is believed that a nul
Der OF Chinese ships were Junk by I
Japanese cruisers.
m0ne of the Anglo-C Chinese merchants
this city, expressed the belief that t'
naval engagements have already be
fought in Corean waters; one on Tuesd
and one on Wednesday last and everybo
questioned on the subject seems TO agl
that the Chinese were defeated with hea
loss.
a There is no doubt that some OF
Anglo-C Chinese merchants OF London
i in possession OF more accurate inform
tion In regard TO the report
Japanese success than they are Will
to admit, but for reasons best known
d themselves they insist upon withholdi
q this information, for the present at lea
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