The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-08-02


bloody war between China and Japan.
Bpt according to advices received, a
Japanese cruiser sighted the KOw
obuug ana ran within easy range OF
uer. she then sigualled the transport
TO put back. The transport Kept
steamiDg ahead until the cruiser fired
shot across her bow. No attention
being paid TO this, according to the
story, the Japanese cruiser opened
fiIe upon the transport in earnest, put
q number of shots into her, and the
transport eventually sank with all
hands. The number of people drowned
is not known, but it is believed that
there must have been 1000 Chinese
on BOARD. A number of trading
boats belonging TO Chinese COM
panies which have been intim-
ately connected with the Mathieson
steamers in the Chinese coast trade,
have been taken over by Hugh Math-
ieson d Co. and will hereafter fly the
British flag. The Kow Shung was a
vessel of about 200 tons and had been
trading in the China seas for some
time past.
The Chinese officials seem to look
upon the war with Japan as likely to
be of very short duration, They
claim that China can pour
troops into Corea in such num-
bers that the result of the
war can never be in doubt. So far as
the two navies are concerned, China
has about 80 war ships, large and
small, of which 8 are fairly good ar
mored ships with Krupp guns. In ad-
dition; she has chartered a number of
transports and these are being armed
as rapidly as possible, and with the
best guns China is able to procure.
On the other hand the Japanese
navy consists of about 80 war vessels
including five armored ships carrying
Krupp guns.
so far as war ships are concerned it
will therefore be seen that the two
naVies in numbers are about evenly
matched although the Chinese battle
ships carry heavier guns than those
OF Japan. But it is believed that the
Japs naval officers are superior to
those of China, and the Japanese war
ships are also believed to be in better
condition than the Chinese. The war,
however; is not likely to
NO bOd hu5.
COrea ia 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
territory against Japanese invasion,
but nobody here believes that China
will make any such attempt.
Very little accurate news is obtain
able here from Seoul. 1t is known,
however, that the British and United
States warships at Chemulpo have
landed attachments of marines,
which have been sent TO Seoul in or
der to protect the respective legations
of Great Britain and the United
States.
At Seoul conflict is said to have
taken place between the Japanese and
some Chinese and Corean soldiers, the
Japanese being victorious. Shortly
afterwards the Japs made prisoner
Vi the king OF Corea and it ia said that
they have either sent him or intend to
send hiu to Japan, whore he will be
detained until the war is over.
Rumor also has 1t that there has
been second fight at sea between the
Jsps and Chinese warships. A
Japanese cruiser is sad To have en-
gaEed Chinese cruiser conveying a
transport, sinking the Chinese CRUZ
scr. This report, however, may have
reference to the sinking of the Khw
5hupg, already detailed, although
the sinking of this steamer is said 20
have occurred on Tuesday last, and
tbe second engagement is reported to
have taken place on Wednesday.
CoREAN KING A PRISONER.
WASHINGTON, July 27.-The king
of Corea is Japanese prisoner. This
was the most important statement
C Intaineu in q telegram dated yester-
day, which Secretory Herbert has
received from Captain Lay OF the
United States steamship Bal
timore, now at Chemulpo,
CJrea. Captain Day, besides
stating that the king of Corea is q
captive In the hands of Japs, reported
thai he had dispatched force of MAJ
rines from his ship to seoul, the
capitol, to protect the United
States legation. There was
no information received at the
state department confirming the
declaration Of war between Japan
and ChiLa, aud The Chinese minister,
who called At the department. today
to arrange for bis farewell Call upOB
the president, said to the department
that he was ais without )utorm alton
to that effect.
FURTHER CONFIRMATION.
LONDON, July 27-rne Peuins ular
and Oriental Steam Navigation COM
pany and other London firms doing
business with the east have received
kilograms that war has been declared
between Japan and China.
EAGER FOR BUSINESS.
LONDON, July 27.-Numerous trans
actions al war risk were made at
Lloyd's yesterday. There are rumors
that the Chinese government intends
to negotiate q loan.
RUM0RS OF PEACE.
LONDON, July 2S,-From Chinese
official sources no confirmation can be
obtained of report alleged to have
teen received from Shanghai by a
news agency here to the affect that
Jspani-e cruisers have attacked and
sunk many Chinese transports, which