Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-24
An Attack is Reported on a japanese
Garrison.
ATTRIBUTED TO CHINESE INFLUENCE
What is Said at the Japanese Le-
cation Of the Affair.
VESSELS IN CHINA WATERS

SHANGHAI. July PA dispatch received
here from Nagasaki, on the southwest coast
of the island Of Kioo-Sioo, Japan, says that
detachment of Corean troops, at the insti-
cation Of the Chinese residents, have at
tackled the Japanese garrison and were de-
feated.
later telegram says that a japanese
cruiser and Chinese transport have been
engaged, and that the cruiser sank the
transport. Nothing is known here Of the
alleged private dispatches stating that the
japanese have bombarded Corean ports.
The British consul has received a telegram
from the British charge d'affairs at Toxic,
Japan, stating that the Japanese have un-
dertaken to regard Shanghai as outside of
! the sphere of operations.
The price of coal has risen 40 per cent on
account Of the large demand made upon
these supplies for use on board warships,
transports, &c.
Promises of Reform.
LONDON, July 24.-A dispatch from
Chemulpo, Corea. says that the Corean gov
ernment, instigated by the Chinese resi-
dents, has withdrawn its promises of re-
form already made to Japan.
The guards at the imperial palace at Seoul
are assuming the most hostile attitude to-
ward the Japanese troops in the capital. A
conflict is momentarily expected. The jap
aneSe legation h ere has received no news of
the rumored bombardment Of Corean ports
by their government, and give the report
no credenc6 whatever.
Views of Naval Officers.
The action Of the Chinese government in
closing the Yangse river on account of the
complication with Japan, growing out Of
the Corean occupation, is regarded by naval
ofncers as most important strategic move
from defensive point Of view. Shanghai
one of the most populous and wealthy cities
In CHINA, is situated on the Woosung river
short distance beyond its juncture with
the fangse. The Woosung bar, at the mouth
or the tributary, made the navigation ex-
trenely difficult and the Chinese govern
ment has prudently refused to heed the Oft
repeated suggestions Of European CONNER
cial powers that the channel be Improved
at this point. As 1t Is, the sinking of a few
tunks loaded with stone in the narrow and
crooked channel will easily and effectually
close the Yangse and Woosung above thus
protecting Shanghai on the Woosung and
also the enormous expensive ordnance fac
tory near the Yangse, which would he
simply Invaluable in case of hostilties
At the Japanese Legation.
Information received at the japanese le-
cation here today from Toxic is to the effect
that the trouble referred to in the Shanghai
dispatch occurred at Seoul, the capital of
Corea, and not at Nagasaki, as reported.
The mistake in locating the scene of the
difficulty is due, probably. to the interrup-
ton Of overland communications between
Seoul and Shanghai. in which case all news
reaching the latter place from Seoul would
have to be sent via Nagasaki. The cable
gram. giving the minister the news of the
difficulty which occurred yesterday, came to
hand today and Is as follows:
Corean troops made uncalled-for attack
upon the japanese troops stationed in Seoul
and the troops returned the volleys"
The dispatch gave no particulars regard
Ing the cause OF the trouble and nothing as
to the number Of persons who may have
been killed. The minister's opinion, how
ever, Is that 1t was the result of some in
discreet action on the part Of the Corean
soldiers. which are described at the legat tion
as being undisciplined and hard to restrict
| In what they do. The minister feels sure
the hring was unauthorized by the govern
ment OF Corea, and he says 1t Is very likely
that IT has already made an apology ex-
pressing regret at the occurrence
There have been no dispatches received
at the legation showing that the Japanese
have taken action with reference to the
bombardment of the Corean ports. Japan
II Is said, has too many interests at stake in
Corea to attempt to destroy her ccastwise
cities. and, the minister says, certainly ha 8
no intention of going to war with Corea.
United States Vessels in China wotcr.
The reported outbreak of hostilIties he.
t"SSh II cOnuTmed, will
require an immediate reinforcement Of the
United States naval force on the China sta
ton. At present this fleet consists of but
two vessels, the cruiser Baltimore and the
antfquated Monocacy. They are both at
Cnemulpo, Corea, and 1t would be impossi-
Die for them to properly cover the enor-
nous extent of seacoast that must be
watched. 1t happens that owing to the de-
mands OF the seal patrol service there is
but one vessel at present available for the
China station, in addition to the two vessels
now there. This is the Charleston, now at
Mare Island, which, 1t was expected, would
be sent to Hawaii to take the place to be
vacated by the recall Of the PHILADELPHIA to
the United States for much needed docking
However, on August l the close season in
the seal waters expires, and as it will be
necessary after that date to protect ONLY
the small sixty-mile zone around the Priby-
lon Islands, 1t is probable that some OF the
vessels OF the patrol fleet can be spared and
ordered to proceed directly to China, and
In this case the choice would probably fan
on the Yorktown, the Concord and the
Petrel, leaving the Mohican, the Adams, the
Alert and the Ranger to guard the seal is
lands The Concord and Petrol belong 10
the Asiatic station, and were sent from
there to Bering sea.