The record-union., 1894-12-22
Special to the RECORD-UNIoN.

SpecIttI 10 Ine hECORD-UNION.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l.-WhiIe the Chi
nese mail. which has Just arrived at the
Navy Department, failed to bring any
news OF the events which happened at
Fort Arthur during the occupation of that
stronghold by the Japanese, it did in
ciude the first reports which have vet
reached the department from its lnteIli-
gence officers at the seat or war touching
the great naval engagement oil the mouth
OF the y alu River. one Of the officers
reports confirms in every respect the
press dispatches published soon after the
battle, and perhaps the most significant
portions relate to the battle-ships OF the
Chinese as opposed to the Japanese
cruisers. In substance, they show that
the heavily armored vessels were practi-
caily uninjured by the Japanese fire, and
as this fact tends strongly to bear out the
arguments in favor OF the battle-ship as
against the cruiser, as set out in the re-
port OF the Secretary of the Navy TO Con-
gresS, Without doubt the reports will be
exhibited 10 the Naval Committee in con-
nectlon with the pending proposition fer
the construction of three more battle
ships.
These reports describe the formation of
Is sald that after the action commenced
the Chinese were unable TO make signals
on account OF The shooting away of hal
yards, ETC., and therefore no technical
eVolutIons were performed by them, each
vessel maneuverlng Independently. The
Japanese, however, sigualed throughout
Ine action and maneuVered in concert
The Japanese opened fire at 5000 yards.
using their rapid-tire guns To great ad-
vantage, and keeping uD the rapid fire.
The tire of the Chinese throughout the
action was much slower and their shoot
ing high.
The Japanese fire directed against the
TWO battleships is said TO have been
terrific the Chen Yuen being hit about
4,UOO times. and catching fire several
times, while the Ting Yuen was badly set
on ire forward which was extinguished
with difficulty. The Chen Yuen galIantly
pIaceO herself between the Japanese veS-
sels and the Ting Yuen, taking the fire of
tne leet while her flagship extiuguished
the flames. The main Japanese SQUAD
ron continued the action with the battle-
ships, but although their proiectiles hit
tiine and time again, the fourteen
inch armor was more than a match for
the Japanese light guns.
The japa -ese loss consisted of ten offi-
GERS ana sixty men killed and loo of all
ranks wounded. None of their vessels
were lost, the Matsushima, Hiyei aud
Akagi sustaining the most severe dam
age. The Chinese loss consisted of the
following vessels DESTROYED La
uen, Detted cruiser of 2,SGO tons; Chin
! uen, protected cruiser of > 800 tons.
ang Wei, protected cruiser of 300
and Chao Guen, her sister snip. The
ring uen, Chin 1uen and Long Yueu
suffered much by fire. The Chinese loss
OF officers and men is unknown. but il is
not thought any were picked up from the
tnree ships that sunk in action. None of
the Japanese vessels used torpedoes in
action.
THE WAR PRACTICALLY ENDED.
TIEN-TSIN. Dec. 2l.-Important dis
patches have been received from Toxic.
indicating clearly that the war between
China and Japan has practically ended
but what instructions have been con-
Yeyed TO the commanders of the respec-
1--WE military and naval forces from the
governing power of the two empires is
not told III the advices, but assurances
are given IN quarters known to be thor
ouGhly cognlzant of diplomatic affairs
that the Emperor OF China has been pre-
vailed upon to hasten Commissioners TO
Japan, and that the three enyoys have
such power of concession as viii. with
out doubt, enable them TO bring about an
immediate and thorough end OF the hos
tllltles. The details of their authority arc
not given, but the presumption is not
ignored in diplomatic quarters that the
concessions asked by the Japanese Gov
rnment have met with acquiescence of
the reigning powers OF China.
CHINESE PEACE COMMISSIONERS.
WASHINGTON, Dec q. - Minister
Denby cabled the State Department TO-
day that the Chinese Government mas
appointed two peace Commissioners.
Chang Yin Nuan and Fhao, who will
proceed at once on mission from Pekin
TO the Japanese Capital.