The record-union., 1894-07-23
Both the Oriental Countries Now
in Fighting Mood.
REPORT THAT WAR HAS ALREADY
BEEN DECLARED
A Statement Concerning the Black
Plague in Southern China From the
Health Of1icer of Yokohama-The
scourge Ono of the Most Fearful on
Record-One Thousand Lives Lost
During the Recent Earthquakes In
Turkey.
Special to the REcoRp-UNroS

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.
LONDON, July pa dispatch to the
Times from Shanghai says: War between
China and Japan is considered certain.
The London reporter OF the Associated
Press visited the Japanese Legation here
to learn, if possible, whether the report
was true that war had been declared be-
tween China and Japan in regard to Co
rea. No official denial or confirmation OF
the report could be had, but the whole
staff of the Legation made no attempt to
disguise their delight at the thought of
war with China.
At the Chinese Legation it was stated
that no news of the declaration of war
had been received. 1t was added that If
the rumor was true the first report of the
matter would come from Japan, and not
from China. Another visit was made to
the Chinese Legation tonight. The oftl-
cials stated that no late news had been
received, owing to an interruption of the
cable service. The latest information re-
ceived at the Legation was to the effect
that 10000 Chinese troops would start for
Corea. Japan mad rejected the proposals
made by the British Minister, although
the latter had counseled peaceful settle
ment of the dispute. The Chinese Gov
ernment had thereupon declared that un-
less the japanese troops were withdrawn
from Seoul and Chemulpo China would
break off negotiations.
The officials, further questioned said
they discredited the rumor that war had
been declared.
Inquiries were also made at the For
eign Office, but it was stated that no news
had been received there. a telegram
from Yokohama states the acceptance by
Corea of the conditions proposed by
China is conditional upon the withdrawal
of the Japanese troops from Corea. The
Japanese Government was surprised at
this firm stand, which is supposed to
prove that the Chinese influence is para
mount in Corea In the direct negotia-
tions between Toxic and Peking, China
has so far ignored the Japanese counter
proposition.
CHINA CONTINUES WAR PREPARATIONS.
SHANGHAI, July 22.-China continues
to make preparations to assert her claims
of rights in Corea, and from present indi-
cations it is judged that war will be inev-
liable unless Japan recedes from the po-
sition she has hitherto maintained. Or
ders were recently issued for 1900 troops
to prepare for departure TO Corea. The
preparations were hurriedly completed,
and on Friday last the soldiers went on
board the transports that will convey
them to the peninsula. TO guard against
contingencies the transports were con-
yoyed by eight gunboats, the commando
ers of which were instructed TO fire upon
Japanese should the latter attempt to OBJ
struct the landing of the Chinese. War
like preparations are also being made in
other directions. A strong body of
troops will shortly leave for the Lii Chez
Islands. 1t is the Governments inten-
ton to employ the Canton and Maxim
fleets in harrassing the Japanese coast if
actual hostilities are commenced. Orders
have been sent TO every Chinese province
calling upon each of them to furnish 20,-
900 troops to support the Government