The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-08-02
THE JAPAN SIDE OF 1T.
Why the Transport ship wss Fired Upon
BY 1heiF Cruiser,


by Their oruiaoT,
YOKOHAMA, Aug. The following 10 tho
ofisial account from tho Japaneus govern
monrs standpoint Of tho battle Of July 81
between warships OF japan and Chine;
The Chinese cruisers CHA Yasn aud the
kuAwanh wsrs observed steaminR from
Kasan. aud . transpor, carrying Chinese
soldiers, conveyed By tho Chinese wArahip
Tsso KiSnR. was seon on Toxic towards
Kaaan. The japanese cruisers at Kiau, ths
Yashlno and Nsnlva. met the Chinese
varships near Panta0 Island. The Chinese
did not salute. bat made wAriiks prspaFa.
iions. In order 10 COS out OF thA marrow
waters the japanese cruisers pat 10 gen,
whefenpon the 1sao KianR pufnped the
haniwa. The NapiWa thsToupon put about
and steamed towards the two Chinese
ships. Tho Chin Yuan and Kuwaui. how
ever, retrsated. aud the Chin Yusn boiated
a white naR abova ths Japanese
naval ensign. The Nanlwa consequently
delayed nfinR upon the warahip. and
then The tranaport crossed the bow OF the
Naniws. The latter fred = blank shot snd
signallsd the transport 10 stop. Meantime
the Chin Ynea had appToRohsd under the
Naniwa's stern, and when within 300 metres
discharged n torpedo. which miaaed the
japanese wArship. The Naniwa then
opened firs upon the Chln Yuen. and the
Yos Huno Joined In the action. The Chin
Yusn finally fed aud was pursusd, but not
oyertaken. Tho second Chinese varship
the Kuwanii. had p.eantime been engaged
with Japansss cruise, at Kisnu. but like
the Chin Yuen. shs He'd aud took refuge
between shore and ahoal water. The t'ans-
port carried six guns and had !, 100 soldiers
on bosf0. The captain OF the transport
surrendered, but the soldiers rsaisted oap-
tnre. The Napiwa was ultimately obliged
10 open IRE upon the transport and sank
her. The captain snd Others were rescued
BY the boats Of the Naniwa.
IL was Afterwards discovered that the
transport was q British steamer. the Kow
Bhung. She bad on board four ohisfs OF
battalion and fifteen colonels OF the Chinese
army. The japanese government 30 soon
No ID was informed OF tho sinking OF a
British ship, expressed rsRrsta. deolarin q
to ths British charge d'affaires that II, after
inquiry had been made. japan was shown
10 be in tho wrong the Japanese govern
ment vss prepared TO make all repHrstion
for the loas sustained. Ths cruiser in the
naval engagement of July 20 should not be
confounded with the Chinese srmorsd bat
tlsship Chen Yuep. 1900 tons.
LONDON. Aug. The earl Of Kimberly,
upon receiving IoIn tho envoy Of the Toxic
Government official netifeAtion that japan
had formally deelatsd war against China,
declared that Great Britain remained neu-
trail in the matter. although the British
government would Immediately take stepa
10 safeguard British interests In the east.
30 far as the sinkinR OF the transport kov
shune. flying the British flag. 10 concerned,
,hs snyoy WAS informed that Great Britain
awaits the statement OF the Englisb captain
of that steamer before making reply 10 the
apology offered by Japan.
LONDON, Aug. The Exchange Tois-
graph company declares that war between
China and japan was formally declared al
noon yesterday BY JsTan. 1he JApsnsss
minister al two o'clock this afternoon in
formed the Earl OF Kimberly. secretary OF
state for foreign Affairs. that atato Of wal
exists bstveen japan aud China.
tHASoHkL July Silt is reported that
Col. Won bnnnskin. and another foreigner
who were on thctfAnsport Kow Shung " wher
she foundered. have been saved.