The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-08-20
China Far 0vermatched on the
Sea and the Land.
HARD FIGHTING var TO CONE.
Japan Fortifies Seoul and the Passes
Leading From China.
The War Spirit so streng That . Lean
Is Easily Effected at Hsms-Intsr-
view With the New Japanese Min-
lister TO America

LONDON. Aug. IA sneciai aispatch 70
the Times from Shanghai says II is ram0red
that instead of large Chinese army only
small force was routed at Yashan by
Japanese. The remainder OF the army, IL
is said. had gone north 10 join the north
ern forces. Skirmishes are reported 10
have taken place at Pingyan, province Of
shanye. and great battle is expected %
be fought there shortly.
LoNpos. Aug. "a dispatch from
Shanghai says the Chinese there are saf-
fer.Eg from a spy mania that has devel-
oped among Chinese officials. All vessels
arriving At Toosung river are boarded by
Chinese naval officers aud searched for
spies and eontrahand munitions OF war.
Two prominent japanese have eeen
arrested within the French conces-
sion on an untounded charge of spy
ing. They are still detained for trial.
The dispatch further states that a
number OF Englishmen and Scotchmen
have been obliged 10 leave the arsenal at
Wei-has-wei owing to the war. They had
been fired at by some of the Chinese
guards. and some OF them would an-
doubtedly have been killed had it not been
for the protection afforded them by Chi
nese officials. IL is added that on three
successive nights japanese torpedo boats
forced the boom guarding the
water entrance to Wei-hai-wei. They
either evaded or countermined the tor
pedoes that had been laid by the Chinese,
aud effected an entrance to the ports, the
defense of which had heretofore been sup
posed to be impregnable. The Japanese
did not engage the forts. as IL Is said they
were in search of information as 10 the
lines TO be followed in the event Of IL being
decided to make an attack in force upon
the place.
Sickness prevails in both the Chinese
and Japanese armies.
China has accepted the offer of Lui
Yung Ii, the celebrated ex-chief Of the
Black Flags in Tonqain. who Is now a
naval commodore at Canton. to reorganize
the Black Flags to light against Japan.
The Chinese government has prohibited
the expectation of horses. Horses are re-
garded as eontraband of war by Japan.
Urgent orders have been sent from the
northern to the southern arsenals
for powder and other munitions.
Recruiting for the army Is progressing
actively The Japanese have fortified the
passes leading from china into Korea, and
have established elaborate defenses at
Seoul. One hundred aud sixty thousand
men have been mobilized by Japan.
Sr. PErERsauRs, Aug. 19--it is stated
here that Russia and other powers con-
tlnue to endeavor TO restore peace between
China and Japan.
WAsHISsToN Cry, Aug. is.--The Japa-
nese legation has received telegram an
nonncing that Japan has decided to issue
a domestic loan Of SO. .O00, 600. The dis
patch states that a strong outburst of
patriotic feeling has been evoked by this
proposition, and the people in all parts of
the country are eagerly subscribing to the
loan.
SAN Francisco, Aug ia.-S. Kurino. the
japanese diplomat who vas recently APP
pointed minister TO the United States. is
here on his way TO Washington City. lie
arrived on the Chine. aud told the follow
ing story of the war up TO the time of his
departure. lie Is not one of those who
considers the war between the nations ss
q matter of days and weeks, and from his
position In the Japanese government---he
was director Of political affairs in the for.
eIgn Office before he took his present
position his opinion has weight He
says:
"In regard to the Chinese forces, the
north fleet In good, and probably some of
the scattering fleets are fairly competent
| TO make a fight, but so far as the training
Is concerned. | consider the Japanese far
superior. our great facilities for lighting
are also far better. The Chinese govern
ment has no direct control over its navy.
| Ii IL scattered, and the naval control Is
| local. The south squadron has no dlsci-
| pline. The north squadron has some little
| framing and discipline. but the whole
navy ~ untricd.
The ministers attention was called 10
recent cablsgram, IN which IL was stated
that the Chinese were Offering large spe-
cinl prizes for the destruction OF Japanese
naval vessels. for the heads OF prominent
Japanese officers, and were even Offering
bonntles for the heads Of Japanese sol
diers. Il have not seen this oablegram.
said the minister. "but IL would DO just
like the Chinese. ! am informed they
placed restrictions on the movements Of
some of our ambassadors in China. In
Japan imperial DEGREES have been issued
for the protection of Chinese. Japan -
practically hghting TO preserve the peace
OF the East. The balance Of power Is as
much factor in ORIENTAL politics as
il is in European Affairs. and the
autonomy of Korea IS insisted on by
Japan TO preserve that balance Of power.
We sre not giving any advantage TO Rus
STA, and that Is why England is nov nsu-
trai Had Japan and Russia acted together
this would not be the case. | do not think
| that France, England or Russia will DO
brought into this controversy. but that IL
will De fought out BY Japan and China
alone. In regard TO the need Of Japan for
| supplies Of different kinds, IL Is hard at
| present to tell just what scope IL will take.
| At present Japan has an abundance Of
| ammunition ana supplies, but II the var
/ were 20 last long time undoubtedly vs