The morning call., 1894-09-26
THE WAR IN KOREA.

The mails brought by the Rio de Janeiro
do not add much to our knowledge of
affairs at the seat of war, fCr the simple
reason that neither It Toxic uCr even at
Chemulpo, was anything known, when
she left, about the progress of the conflict.
a complete embargo has been placed on
news dispatches, and it is hard to say
whether the Chinese or japanese dis
patches are most mendacious. Since the
Rio sailed from Yokohama it has been
stated that the japanese War Department
will permit foreign correspondents to ac-
company their armies; if this is true, the
world vii shortly be able to form an opin-
ion of the Progress of the Struggle. At
resent the only item to be added to our
stock of Information is the statement thar,
Notwithstanding the sinking of four Chi
nese warships, and the burning of three
cruisers at Yalu, the Chinese succeeded in
landing 1000 troops for service in Korea.
II seems 10 be admitted by writers on
the spot that the Koreans sympathize with
the Chinese, and not with The japanese.
Considerable bodies of Koreans are
said to have joined General Yeh's Chinese
army as soon as it crossed the border from
Manchuria; his reception at Hung Chow
Yang is described as being cordial. If
this is so. the Japs are laboring urder the
disadvantage of fighting in an enemy's
country, and defeat might be disa1irJus.
But we have no Information from japan
csc sources on the sympathy question, and
it is certain that the japanese hold the
city of Seoul, and three lines radiating
thersfrom. Que leading 10 Chemulpo. one
IN in 4, n 10
Yang in the north. All accounts agree that
the Japanese troops are in higher state of
efficiency than any Chinese troops which
have appeared upon the scene. The war
is telling, however, upon the numerical
strength of the army. 1t has been neces-
sary to call out the first and second re-
serves, consisting of men in civil life who
have served their time in the army.
The japanese papers are waking up to
the folly Of the canard business, and the
Government is urgently pressed to prevent
the circulation of stories which are contra
dicted as fast as they are Issued, aud which
only excite ridicule; it is promised that
more care will be exercised in the future.
The HOcbi newspaper, which appears to
be in the secrets of the Government, pre-
diets battle about September 90 at Hello,
and in the event of Chinese de-
feat, of which it feels sure, a second
battle on the bank of the Yalu in
the first week in October. Victory again
percbing on the japanese banner, as the
japanese editor assumes that it must, he
further predicts that the Japanese will
then move on Moukden and capture that
important place about October To- In that
case it is held that our New Years day
would be celebrated by the Japs in the
capital of the Monaghan empire. We
found in our civil war that prophesying
was dangerous business; it was ALWAYS
the unforeseen which happened; the en-
envy had way of turning up where he was
not expected, and doing the thing which
it was not supposed he would do. Per
haps it may be different in the Orient; but
a winter march from Moukden TO Picking
w ould parallel The retreat Of the French
from Moscow.
Mean while the Japanese Parliament is
convened to meet on Octo Der -, apparently
to devise financial schemes to supply WAYS
and means for the war. In the last Parlia-
ment the Government was in an overwhelm-
ing preponderance over the opposition;
and it would be contrary to all experience
if the Mikado's strength had been dimin-
ished by the war. 1t is to be expected that
the representative body will indorse the
policy of the executive with patriotic
energy.
No Importance need be attached to the
story of an attack by Chinese from Man.
churia on the builders of the Russian road
through Siberia. ARRAYS between the rail-
road builders and the natives living near
the road are Of constant occurrence, but
they possess no national importance
Russia is undoubtedly looking out for a
pretext TO take hand in the pending quar-
rel. but she will not convert barroom fight
nto a caSus belli 1t will lie time enough
to expect her Interference when Korea or
Japan on her behalf offers the Government
of st. Peters burg site for a naval depot
in the peninsula.