The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-09-22
Japan Is Now in Possession Of
Corea.
BLOODY BATTLE AT PING YANG
Attempts of War Correspondents to Pro-
coed 10 the Scene of the Fight
Have Been Unsuccessful.

LONDON, Sept. ia dispatch from Seoul
dated yesterday says that during the even
ing of Thursday last Japanese column
from Pung San made reconnaissance in
force, drawing the fire of the Chinese forts
and ascertaining accurately their strength.
This done, the Japanese fell back in good
order with little loss. Friday night, the
dispatch adds. all the Japanese corps were
in position for a combined attack One
general column was threatening the Chi
nese left flank the Pung San column was
facing the Chinese center and the Hwanzu
colamn was operating on the Chinese right.
The latter column was reinforced by de-
tachments of marines and blue Jackets from
the fleets stationed at the mouth of the
Tae Tong river. The Chinese utilized their
old defences at Ping Yang and threw up
new works and their DOS ton was excep-
tlonally strong.
Battle Opened Saturday.
The battle opened Saturday morning at
day break with direct cannonade upon the
Chinese works, and this fire was continued
without cessation until afternoon. The
Chinese fought their guns well. replying
effectively to the Japanese fire. At D. m.
u body of Japanese infantry was thrown
forward in skirmish and kept up the fire
upon the enemy till dusk. All the fighting
during the day was done by the Pung San
column. The Chinese defenses suffered ex-
ceedlngly from the Japanese fire, but it is
doubtful If the losses on either side were
great, as the troops of both the Chinese and
japanese took every advantage possible OF
the shelter which the earthworks on one
side and the nature of the ground on the
other offered. The flank attacks upon the
Chinese posts did not develop material adj
vantage during the day, although the jap
anese gained some in position.
Decisive Conflict Sunday.
The firing was continued at intervals
throughout the night. The main two
thanking columns of japanese drew a cor
don around the Chinese troops and at 8
oclock in the morning the Japanese attack
was delivered simultaneously and with adj
mlrable precision. The Chinese, utterly
unsuspiclous of the Japanese attack from
the rear became panic stricken, and were
cut down and bayoneted by hundreds. So
we'll was the Japanese attack directed that
the Chinese were surrounded at every point
and eventually sought safety in flight. De-
Tending the entrenchment were some of
Viceroy Iii Hung Changes picked Chinese
troops, drilled by Europeans. These SOL
diers made determined stand to the last
and were cut down to a man.
The Pung San columns swarming over
the damaged defenses of the Chinese front
completed the route of the Chinese, and the
whole of the !atter's position was captured
by the troops of the mikado. A half hour
after the early morning attack commenced
the strongly defended position at Ping Yang
was in the hands of the Japanese troops.
1t is believed the Chinese position at Ping
\ ang was defended by 1900 Chinese, of
whom only few escaped. An immense
amount of provisions, ammunition, arms
and other stores, in addition to a hundred
flags, We're captured by the Japanese.
Chinese Lost Heavily.
l. sc 49, 400
men killed, wounded anu prisoners.
Among the captured Chinese are several OF
the most prominent commanding officers of
Chinese troops in Corea. Only a few Chi
nese commanders succeeded in escaping
and these got away almost Immediately
after the Japanese made the attack upon
the Chinese rear. Among the Chinese
commanders taken prisoners was General
Tso Fonk Wal, commander-in- C hief of the
Manchurian army, who fought desperately
10 the last and only yielded when badly
wounded. Only 80 Japanese we're killed
and 270 wounded including IL japanese
officers.
May End the War.
The Japanese, when this dispatch was
sent, were active in pursuit of the fugitive
Chinese and as near,y all the latter are
without arms they will undoubtedly sur
render as soon as the Japanese overtake
them. So far as the active operations of
is practically at an emo. Coreans who have
shown sympathy with the Chinese aud a
few detached bands of Chinese may succeed
! in getting away, but Corea will remain in
the undisputed posse ssion of the japanese.
And in view OF previous reports received as
to the terrible condition of the roads in he
north and the utter impossbltity Of moving
guns and supplies southwark it is not
lkely that there will be any more fighting
of importance in Corea during the present
year. is hoped that the victory may
serve as basis Tor peace negotiations. In
qulrles OF the Japanese legation here con-
firm The reports Of the victory at Ping
| Yang.
Twenty Thousand Chinese Surrendered.
| SHANGHAI, Sept. 17.-Reports from va
| Tious places say a battle was fought at
| Ping Yang, Corea, between the Chinese and
! japanese troops, lasting two days and the
! Chinese army of 10000 men surrendered.
| he attempts Ut American and British war
| correspondents TO proceed to the scene of
/ the fipnt Daau mi