The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-19

Kin Chow. The attempt was an utter
failure. Although heavily outnumbered
the Japanese defenders Tepulsed the enemy
after n contest OF three hours, before the
re-enforcements dispatched by General
Oyama had time to arrive.
Correspondents of Japanese newspapers
tell CHASTITY stories of the atrocities CON-
mitted by the Chinese whenever accident
has thrown small bodies of japanese SOL
dieTs into their power. Many of these
tales are officially corroborated and with
a minuteness of detail which leaves no
room for doubt as to their authen ticity.
The mutiIations inflicted by Indian saw
ages upon their victims are not so horrible
as some which the malignant ingenuity of
the Chinese have invented.
Il is rumored that after witnessing one
of the most narrowing of these spectaeles,
o group Of hideously dismembered corpses
exposed at the side of the road leading to
Port Arthur, numbers of the copauering
army threw aside all self-restraint and
showed no mercy to those Of the enemy
whom they next encountered. No authori-
tativa confirmation OF this report has been
given, and none can reasonably be expect
ed, but it should cause no surprise if evil
dence we're produced that the patience of
the Japanese had at last given way under
progocations offered. and the perpetrators
of hundreds of unspeakable infamies had
been taught for once that fOrbearance is
not rule without exec utions.
No news respecting the movements of
the first army in Manchuria has been re-
ceiVed this month, and the announcement
of sudden change of commanders opens
a new field of speculation as 10 its future
operations. General Yamagata has re-
signed and is succeeded by General Nogu,
whose promotion from the grade of lieu
tenani-geDeral is understood to be an ap-
propriate reward for his successful m an
agement of the Ping Yang campaign.
General Yamagata's retirement is said to
be caused by illness. The Emperor ha.
sent one of the surgeons of his household
to attend the invalid. who is expected to
return TO Japan without delay. The win
ter cold is ALREADY severely felt in Man
churia. AT Hong Wong the temperature
averages degrees below zero. The Yaru
River is frozen over at Win. and can be
crossed on horseback near Moukden.
It is reported that orders have been
issued by the Japanese marine authorities
that the Chinese ships Of war are not to be
molesied hereafter except under circum-
stances of absolute necessity. AS !hey are
expected presently to form part of the
japanese navy it, is considered desira BILE
that they suffer as little injury as possible
in the interval To these instructions the
immunity of the Chen Yuen from attack
may pei haps be attributed. That YES sci
is now lying beached at Wei Hal Wei in a
position which might be reached without
much difficulty by the japanese long-range
guns, but thus far not shot has been
fred at her. Her helpless condition Is
owing to striklng upon a rock as she was
entering the harbor some weeks ago. The
belief is freely expressed in Shanghai that
the occurrence was not entirely accidental.
The attitude of the Ii family and OF the
still powerful faction of which the Vice
roy of Chill is the center is regarded with
deep interest. The conviction is general
that Ii hung Chang saw a great oppor-
tunity open before him two months ago
and that If be had chosen to act with
promptness and energy. the destiny OF
. China would now be in his hands. But,
as on a former occasion. he wasted too
much time in weighing the chances and
allowed the enthusiasm of his strongest
supporters to grow cold while he was
making up his mind tc strike the decisive
blow. The Peiho at Tung Chow might
have been his Rubicon, but he would not
cross it when be could have done 60 at the