The morning call., 1894-10-21
DRIVEN FROM KOREA.


DRIVEN FROM KOREA.
Last Stand Made in the Kingdom by
the Chinese.
SEOUL, Sept. 27.-The naval successes
have diverted public attention from the
mi lItary movements in Northern Korea
and little has been heard respecting the
progress of the japanese army since the
capture of Ping Yang was announced.
Even the details of that important event
are few and unsatisfactory. No con-
elusive statement as TO the strength OF the
Chinese troops engaged has been pub
lished and no official attempt has been made
to reconcile the conflicting estimates of
generals, which allow speculative range
Of from 1900 to 10000. The lower figure
is undoubtedly the most nearly accurate.
and if 1t is ever thought worth while to
ascertain the precise roll it will probably
prove to have been about $1,000. AS re-
CARDS the number of prisoners taken the
discrepancies are bewildering. At first it
was fixed at ID, 600, but The list has steadily
grown smaller. until now only some hun
dreds are claimed.
To the question. what became of the
ludtu DOOJs NJ NnS
vouchsafed, but that the army was practi-
cally wiped out of existence can scarcely
be disputed That il might have been held
captive had the Japanese so chosen seems
evident from the completeness with which
it was surrounded. But inquirers are left
in ignorance on this vital point No light
is given by japanese correspondents, who.
though permitted considerable latitude.
have lot been privileged TO approach the
quarters of the CO ptalns. The Govern
ment shows no desire to conceal facts, but
appears to have very scant information
concerning matters of much moment.
Even with the aid of every official dispatch
thus far received at Toxic it is impossible
to compile anything like an exhaustive ac-
count of the Phyong Yang campaign.
None OF the representatives of foreign
journals are allowed to accompany the
army. 1t is possible that American news
papers may hereafter supply earlier and
fuller records of the war, at least so far as
clear and coherent stories are concerned,
than the heads of departments can obtain
through their own channels.
The list of japanese losses of Phyopg
Yang is now made up. The officers killed
were s, none higher than captain of in
fantry. One hundred and fifty-fonr nom
commissioned offices and privates were
also killed. Twenty-six officers were
wounded, the highest a major of artillery,
and 3S1 non-commlssioned and prlvates.
There are 40 missing.
TeIegrams from the front state that the
| pursuit OF the Chinese fugitives was Wig
prously continued until the japanese cav
airy reached KaSan. 2 town on the north
eastern inlet of the Yellow Sea. Strag-
! Cling remnants of the defeated army had
passed in advance over the road to Win,
| on the frontier, and comparatively few
| prisoners were taken. Dead horses in
cum bered the way for miles, and at An ju
four abandoned field guns were picked up,
| making the whole number of field pieces
seized in the campaign forty, together
| with twenty mountain Krupps and four
| gatlings. Scouts have been sent forward
as far as Chong Ju, fifty miles east of the
Yellow River, and a body OF Japanese
was expected to take up quarters at Kasar
before the end of September. Rumo-
points to Kiulin, fortified town in Chi
nese territory, as the scene of the next bat
lie. pI divided The present line OF march i!
continued.
pear indifferent TO the struggle in th'
north, the majority of the higher clas
living in the districts recently held by tht
Chinese are inclined to the side of China
Thus far they have made feeble and ir
regular efforts to annoy the japanese
troops, and though pOwerless to offe
effective opposition they have at least sue
ceeded in preventing the dissemination o
| in, fcxy
new allies. In the regions of which tn,
japanese have had possession since th'
first of September a very different spiri
prevails. The orderly conduct of TIL
troops, their respect for private proT ert'
and the promptness of their payments TO
all supplies have rapidly won the favor o
the popuace, and feeling of genuin
frendllness has sprung up, especial!
among the middle class of Koreans aloni
the line of march. The only evidences o
active hostility are exhibited by the part,
of Toga Kuto, whose revolt in July las
was the pretext for China's interference
in Korean affairs. Several small disturb
ances have heen fomented by the leader
of this secret association. but it is not sup
posed that their proceedings will requir
serious attention.
The plans for political and social re
: forms in Korea. many of which were pu
in operation under Japanese influence i'm
: mediatey after the dismissal of the Min
Ministry, are now virtually suspended
owing to the difficulty of securing unite
action on the part of the new Government
: Rival factions are again engaged in con
tentions, aud. in their struggle for supren
, acy, the movement lnaugurated by tn
! japanese envoy is temporarily lost sigh
. Of. The most important improvements
national administration are secured an
! several iniquitous laws have been abo
9 ished; but for the broad social ameliors
S tions CONTEMPT ted in the Japanese schem
: it NAV be necessary to wait until through
: out the kingdom order ig more thorough
restored,
: A banquet was given September II ;
the Japanese legation in Seoul TO celebra
S the naval victory OF Admiral Ito. I'll
: principal Korean state officials were pre-
: ent. one of whom. the Minister of Foreig
e Affairs, delivered speech in Japane:
n congratuaiing the army Of the empire an
r thanking the army for driving the Chimes
troops IRON his country.
j. A battalion of Koreans is now undt
! training by japanese officers with tt
s view of providing a nucleus for the REQ
- paRized native army,