The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-08-01
what London Thinks.
~ Gable to the United Press.

<SB NODtc " XXI CHtteb 1 tcS.
LONDON, Aug. l, 1S4.-The despatch re-
ceived from Shanghai this, morning an
nouncing the attack upon the Chinese war
ship Chen Yuen on July q, is regarded here
as clearing up the despatch of yesterday
stating that the Chen yuen had been sunk,
the Chih Yuen Ching Yuen espatured and
the Zoo Tshtng probably destroyed. From
this Il would appear that there had been no
engagement on July 30 and that none of the
Chinese ships engaged had been sunk OF cap
tured. This view is entertained at the
Chinese Legation here.
The Chinese Legation is in receipt of ad-
vices that the Foo Tshing did not take part
III the battle of July u, ana is Informed that
Colonel Won Hanneken and an English officer
on board the kow Shing were saved when
the transport sunk
Hugh Mathieson & Co. of this city and
Shanghai have received despatch from
Tien 1sin stating that court of inquiry
into the sinking of the kow Shing was open
Ell at that place this forenoon. 1t is reported
in Tien Tsin that war between China and
Japan will be declared this afternoon.
A despatch to the Exchange Telegraph
Company says that Japan made formal
declaration of war upon China today.
APOLOGIES MADE.
Lord Kimberley, Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, immediately upon receipt
of notice from the japanese Government
that war had been declared, wired all
British representatives abroad TO warn
captains of merchant vessels of the fact
in order that they might form their cargoes
accordingly. Any contraband of war com
prIsed in cargoes will be handled at the risk
of the owners or charterers of vessels.
The japanese Minister waited upon Lord
Kimberley at the foreign office to-day and
expressed the regret of his Government that
it was not until after the engagement be-
tween the japanese cruiser and the Chinese
troopship Kow Shing that it was ascertained
that the latter was British vessel. The
japanese Minister rendered a formal apology
OH behalf of his Government and promised
full reparaLion for the affair.
JAPAN'S ONLY IRONCLAD.
In an interview had 0y representative of
the United Press with Sir Edward James
Reed. M. P, formerly Chief Constructor of
the British Navy and the designer of several
of Japan's warsilips Sir Edward said that
The only vessel in the navy of Japan worthy
of being called an ironclad was the Fooso.
This ship, he said was belted arnlor vessel
from stem to stern and was also armer
plated at her center battery. She had also
recently received new armament The
japanese, Sir Edward said, had for many
years abandoned the plan OF building
arinored battleships, preferring to rely
upon a larger nulnberof fast cruisers.
This class of vessels, of which
there are many in tine japanese
Navy have no armor on their sides and are
built with very thin steel plates. The Hiyei
and the Kongo are composite ships. with
armored belts protecting their engines.
They are very fast cruisers, but are unable
to resist even the fire Of the smallest ma
chine guns, although their engines and other
parts below the water line are afforded some
protection by what is called protective
deck In spite of the facU that these YES
sels are practically defenceless, they have en-
orrpo,,s attacking poWer5 which are fur
nished by their great speed and their splen-
did batteries of quick firing KIupp and
Armstrong guns.
FASTEST IN THE WORLD.
The Yoshino, the last OF the Japanese yes
sells built OIL the Tyne, was pronounced by
Sir Edward to be about the fastest cruiser in
fle world the only warship equalling her
being the United States cruiser Columbia.
The Yosbino has a record OF twenty three
knots all hour, but though She Is formidable
by reason OF her speed and arlnaments she
can only engage in battle at close range at
The risk OF destruction owing to her lack Of
defensive plating. On the other hand, how
ever, she is able to inliict an immense
amount of damage upon slower ships OF in-
ferior armament
China, Sir Edward Reed said. has no such
ships as these She possesses only three
iroiIclad cruisers, and the maximum rate Of
speed attained by two Of them is only 1615
he expected to be the more successful at the
outset. their lack of armored ships will be
found to be serious before the war can be
brought to a conclusion. The Toxic Gov
ernrnent have already become sensible OF
this y Sir Edward remarked. 'sas they have
lust ordered two powerful ironclads from
England
Monocaey an Nanasaki.
WASHINGTON, Aug. !, 1894 Secretary