The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-05
BATTLE OF PING YANG.
japanese Account of Their Great Vic
tory Over the Chinese.

japanese Account of Their Great Vic
tory Over the Chinese.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 1.-THE steamship
Gaelic arrived to-day from Asiatic ports.
bringing the following advices from special
correspondents of the Associated Press. un-
der date of Yokohama. Sept. 81:
All Japan is ablaze with enthusiasm over
the victory at Ping Yang. which was the
first important action on land, and in which
all conditions of success appear to have
been thoroughly achieved. The sole Chinese
army in Corea has ceased TO exist. 1t is
estimated. allowing for exaggerations, that
it must have numbered ten thousand men,
and probably exceeded that figure. The OPP
posing force actually engaged is estimated
by the best authorities at twelve TO fifteen
thousand. The entire Japanese body in the
peninsula was undoubtedly much larger,
but strong detachments were required to
hold open the ports and TO guard communi-
cation throughout the country. All the ad-
vantages of position were with the Chinese.
The walled city which they occupied stands
on the slope OF a hill. which the japanese
were obliged to ascend before reaching the
gates. At the foot of the hill runs a broad
and rapid river. wholly unprovided with
VI AAbCcs vi oH WINS hAC OAAhNot hAN
been in possession. daily strengthening
their defenses. No preparations were any
where visible when the advancing Japan
csc came in sight of the Tai Tong river.
Although reports of desperate fighting are
te~legraphed from the field, the contest can
not possibly have been a severe one The
losses OF the japanese side are not reck-
oned above a few hundred killed and
wcu:VGed. and full returns will hardly swell
the list to one thousand. The Chinese loss
is not known. Many were taken prisoners.
The japanese realize their victory was
not so much of a triumph OF valor as II was
a triumph of fine organization and disci-
pline over utter lack Of system and order.
The campaign was wholly planned in To
kio. and orders were carried out to the let
ter. General Nozu led the principal column
northward to cross the Tai Tong at several
points and block all roads Leading from
Osko was sent from Japan to Jensen with
a smaller force, which marched southwest
ward to join the attack from that direction.
A connection was made Sept. Is, and the
assault began on the 18th. On the morning
of the 18th the city was taken. Four Chi
nese generals surrendered, with all the
troops they could control. as well as the
entire store of arms and ammunition and
treasure. variously from 100000
to 500. 900.
Yesterday Sept. 20. while the excitement
caused by the Ping Vans victory was at
fever heat. meager news was received in
Toxic OF a brilliant success in Corean
waters. near the mouth of the Yalu river.
At a point twenty-five miles northeast or
Hal Yang Tao the japanese and Chinese
fleets met. the latter consisting OF eleven
men-of-war and six torpedo boats. After an
engagement of several hours the Chinese
fled. leaving four ships sunk and one
burned. The latter is said 10 have been de-
stroyed by the crew. The Japanese fleet is
reported entirely uninjured.
The japanese Emperor's progress from
Toxic to Heroshima, where he will super
wise the army and navy movements. was
the occasion for unprecedented displays OF
local enthusiasm; At every sta5iSn he WIS
sounded strangely In the ears of those
who remember the days when the imperial
presence was surrounded with mystery and
silent awe. Twenty-Five years ago the SOW
ereign of Japan could not be looked upon
by his people. When he passed all heads
were bowed and all bodies Frustrated. His
name could not be uttered by the masses.
Now he comes and goes freely and listens
with obvious pleasure TO the acclamations
OF the populace and turns his countenance
in response TO every demonstration This
last innovation was never observed until
his passage through the streets of the
capital on Sept. 1S. but 1T has since been
the rule.
The applications for the japanese war
bonds lave exceeded seventy mil ion yen,
more than double the amount called for.
The highest bidder made an offer Of 20 per
cent. premium. Eight millions wero bid for
at an average of s per cent. premium and
ffty-five millions at par. Contrary 10 eX-
pectatioE. the floating of the loan has not
perceptibly affected the money market. No
heavy drafts have been made on the banks
and IL Is supposed a large portion OF the
money wiz come from provincial boards
hitherto lying idle.
The J~apanese government has decided to
prohibit the export iof coal from the en-
p.re.
The Chinese man-of-war Ishio-Kiang. cap
tured by the japanese, July %. has been
added TO the Mikado's navy and is 10 be
known as the Toyoshima, the name OF the
island off which she was taken.
A movement for the relief OF the Japan
csc press from government restrictions is
progressing favorably- The actual censor
ship was abolished Sept. IL, but the depart
ments OF war and navy have issued notifi-
cations prohibiting the publication of news
relating TO military and naval movements
and plans, and strategic secrets. The adj
ministraticn is evidently divided on the
The japanese passport system for the
benefit OF British residents was put in
force Sent 20 IL allows the British resi-
dents enlarged opportunities for travelling
In the interior. as agreed in the recently
enacted treaty between Japan and Great
Britain. Hereafter Englishmen may use
their permits for the entire year. The
United States minister. DESTROYS OF secur-
ing similar advantages for his countrymen,
has been in correspondence with the De-
partment of Foreign Affairs. BY asking II
in his application and soon American citi-
zens VIII enjoy the same special privilege
now extended to Britishers.
The standing committees OF the six politi-
cal parties in opposition TO the JapaneS
government has passed resolutions that
during the war the ministry shall be cor
Orally supported. without regard 10 domes-
the impending session OF Parliament they
VIII vote all the required supplies and abb
stain from embarrassing the governments
action. upon oonditlon that no peace snail
be concluded until China makes a sub
stanclal guarantee for permanent preser-
walton OF order in eastern Asia.
The efforts OF Ii Hung cnans to bring