The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-28
ROSTlLITIES HAVE COMMENCED
Chinese Transports Sunk by a
Japanese Cruiser.
Greet Excitement Prevails at Shanghai.
Tile king of Corea Taken Prisoner by
the Japanese, Who Will Hold Him as a
Hostage-United States Legation at
Seoul Protected.

LONDON, July GA dispatch re-
ceived here to day from Lloyd's agent
at Shanghai, China, confirms the an.
ncuncemet that war between China and
Japan has been declared. Topographic
communication with Corea is inter
rupted and the widest rumors are in
circulation.
Hugh Matheison & Co.. the Chinese
government agents in England, to day
received cable message which also
confirms the announcement that war
has been declared between China and
Japan.
Some fighting is said to havo taken
place between the transports and war
ships OF tho two governments. Several
Chinese transports and men of. war have
been sunk and q numbe. OF other Chi
nese vessels have been seriously dis
abled.
Neither the British government
nor the Chinese or Japanese le.
cations have any official ad.
vices of the declaration of war.
SHANGHAI, July s7.~The Chinese
transports sunk off the Corean coast by
Japanese guns belonged to the fleet
Of eleven steamers which hailed from
Taku Friday, July 90, with IL, 900 troops
The heet left Tuka under the escort Of
gun boats The majority of the trans.
ports proceeded slowly with the gun
boats, while the faster ones steamed at
full speed so as to land their troops as
soon as possible.
The attack upon the steamers from
the Japanese guns last Wednesday is
described briefly in dispatch received
this afternoon. The firing was begun
by Japanese battery whilo the Chi
nese officers were trying to debark their
men from the first steamer. The cruis
er then steamed up and opened ire on
ali the transports which were lying to
waiting to discharge the mon. The
Chinese were unable to make any eifec.
tive resistance
The Chinese officials here do not con
firm these dispatches. They arc ex-
ceedingly reticent as to every report
concerning hostilities in Corea. The
beginning OF hostilities has caused keen
excitement among all classes here.
Business is virtually suspended, al
though many smaller firms have made
desultory efforts to sustain their trade.
The viceory is confident that the
Northern army is sufficiently strong to
SoPO WIN VIC hpduoe6 lOTCb anu ne
does not intend to employ the Southern
army except in case OF extreme neces-
sity.
The Japanese have announced that
they will hold the king of Corea as a
hostage until the reforms demanded bv
them shall have been satisfactorily
settled.
WASHINGTON. July 27.-A cable dis
patch was received this afternoon from
Captain Day, of tho Baltimore, an
nouncing that the Japanese held the
Corean king captive and that he landed
marines to protect tho United States
legation at Seuol. This capital is dis
tant about twenty five miles from
Chemulpo. where the Baltimore lies.
LONDON, July 2S.-Several morning
dailies print this dispatch from Tien:
War has not been declared officially,
either in Toxic or Pekay 1t is believed
in government circles that it will not
be declared for several days. II the
exchanges OF notes now proceeding
result amicably tho collisions that have
already taken place will be mutually
disavowed; otherwise they will be re-
garded as cassus belli.
The transport which was sunk by the
Japanese was the Row Shung, owned
by Mathieson & Co. 1t ia reported that
all were lost. The Mathiesons had
taken over a number of Chinese coast.
ing vessels. Hereafter they will sail
their steamers under the British flag.
Telegrsphing between Japan and
Corea has been stopped therefore no
direct reports can be obtained in Yoke.
hama, where nothing is known Of de-
claration OF war. The Japanese author
tiles stopped on Sunday the Nagasaki
mail steamer bound for Shanghai.