The morning call., 1894-07-28
1ROOPSHIP SUNK.
One Thousand Chinese Soldiers Sent
to the Bottom of the Sea.

TIENTsIN, China, July 27.-While no
formal declaration of war, according to
the usual diplomatic FORMS has been made.
or, at least, if it has been made has not
been given to the public by the Govern
ments interested. the Govern ments of both
China and Japan recognize that an actual
state Of war exists and more collisions are
expected hourly. The general opinion
seems to be that while Japan may be
looked upon as likely to score the first vic
tories. the Chinese will eventually drive
the Japanese out of Korea, even if millions
Of people have to be sent to the front.
Negotiations are still in progress and
there is vague chance that an amicable
arrangement may be arrived at. Should
this be the case the naval engagements
that have already taken place will be mu-
tually disavOwed, otherwise these COLL
sOnS will be held to constitute casus
belli. Nobody here close to the authOri-
ties at Peking believes for a moment that
the disputes can be settled without blood
shed. Chinese officials claim that China
can pour troops into Korea in such num-
bers that the result of the war Will never
be in doubt.
The first overt act of war occurred on
Tuesday, when the Japanese fred upon
the junk steamship Kowshung, belonging
10 Hugh MatthieSon of London. which
had been chartered by the Chinese Govern
ment to convey troops to Korea. The Jap
anese cruiser signaled the K0wshung and
signaled her to put back. The transport
continued steaming ahead until the cruiser
fred at her. No attention being paid to
. 10 fo fho
cruiser opened fire in earnest, and the
transport was eventually sunk with all
hands. 1t is believed 1000 Chinese soldiers
perished.
The British and United States warships
at Chemulpo have sent detachments of
marines to Seoul in order to protect the le-
cations. at Seoul a conflict is said TO
have occurred between the japanese and
some Chinese and Korean soldiers. the
japanese being victorious. Shortly after
ward the japanese made prisoner of the
King of Korea, and. it is said, have sent
him to Japan, where be will be detained
until the war is over. RumOr also has it
that Wednesday a Japanese cruiser sank
Chinese cruiser conveying a transport.
China has about thirty warships, large
and small, of which five are fairly good
armored ships armed with Krupp guns.
In addition she has chartered number of
transports and these are being armed as
ra pidly as possible and with the best guns
China is able to procure. On the other
hand. the Japs' navy consists of about
thirty war vessels, including five armored
ships carrying Krupp guns.
So far as warships are concerned it will
thus be seen that the two navies in num-
bers are about evenly matched. although
the Chinese battleships carry heavier guns
than those Of Japan. But it is believed
the Japanese naval officers are superior to
those of China and the Japanese warships
are also believed 10 be in better condition
than the Chinese. The war, however, is
not likely to be decided by sea fights.
Korea is a peninsula, virtually forming
part of China, and down this peninsula
from the north China can pour army
after army until she drives the japanese
into the sea. Japan is able, no doubt. to
defend herself in her own territory, but
nobody here believes that China will make
an attempt to invade japan