Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-02

S0SAA
swan ashore.
On the night of February fresh tor
pedo squadron was sent to continue the
work, and made an end of two- If not
themselves suffering as severely as their
predecessors. 1t was afterward learned
that the little craft had been instrumental
in sinking the Wei-Yuen and the Sing
Yuen, together with several smaller ves-
sells. On the morning of the 9Th only four
Of the once redoubtable Pei-Yang division
of the navy remained mt for service.
The large ships of Admiral Ito had thus
far done little but shell the forts on the
two islands. On the 9th they rested en-
tirely, beginning anew and with .'edoubled
energy on the 7th. BY this time the gun
ners on shore were able to cooperate EFF
fectively, especially at the eastern edge of
the harbor.
Compelled the Garrison to Leave.
Soon after dawn one of their shells ex-
ploded a magazine of il Island, tearing
asunder the walls Of the fort and COM
pelling the garrison to hurry across to Liu
Kung. While the assailants were cheering
one another over this piece of good for
tune a more exciting incident followed.
A flock of Chinese torpedo boats broke
away from the main body lying behind
Liu kung and with two or three light
draught steamers steered through the bar
ricade near its western end and raced
along shore toward Chefoo. Their speed
was not equal to that of the first of the
japanese flying squadron, which set off
In pursuit with such alacrity that the
fugitives were all overtaken within two
hours.
Some were run down and sunk. others
were disabled by rapid-fring guns, and the
balance were driven into the bay to the
east of Chefoo, where most of them sur
rendered
few ran ashore, and. being deserted by
the crews. were rendered powerless for
further mischief before the pursuers le-
turned to their duty at Wei-Hai-Wei.
A PitinbIe Situation.
The situation OF the defenders was now
pitiable inde ed. An incessant cannonade
was directed at them from heights where
the heavy long-range pieces had been
planted and the places where they found
the shelter in the early days of combat no
longer afforded protection.
The soldiers in the forts were less liable
to be slaughtered than those on board the
ships, but even their ranks were gradually
thinned, while their efforts at retaliation
were totally Ineffective. Though they
would, perhaps. have fought desperately
to the end in hand-to-hand conflict, their
energies appeared to sink. as their destiny
was seen to be Inevitable,
On the 9th of February considerable ac-
tivity was displayed. two of the ships en-
deavoring to dislodge an fnconvenient bat
terry on the western headland but from
that date the energy Of the Chinese stead
lily diminished. =
On the 18th formal offer of surrender
was sent under flag Of rr1ce, The ad-
miral proposing to give over everything az
his disposal on condition that the lives of
all who served him, especially the fareign-
ers, should be spared. His action is grave
~ censured, the universal opinion being
that If he could no longer hold out, he
should have found means 10 destroy rthe
valuable property in his control insteaa of
delivering 1t up to the conqi,erors. =
CapitulatIon.s ->~ssf -
His terms, however, wers jpr6mpfly agreed
to, and on the following day the Japanese
began the work of taking over the rour
large ships left in serviceable condition.
several gunboats and torpedo craft the
artillery of the forts and the stores u;,d
ammunition and food
The Chen Yuen is much hurt, but can be
repaired. There are hopes, indeed, that the
Ting 1uen and a few others NAV be raised
and successfully f1oated.
However viewed the result is of pro-
Tba Tlg,ous ,11al importance to the winning side
Ihe question of Admiral Ting's future is
curiously debated. That he can never re-
turn to China seems to be generally ad-
mltted. Japan would undoubtedly give him
refuge. and 1t is possible he may end his
days as pensioner in the land which he
once proclaimed, himself able to master
with no other force than that Of his now
beaten fleet: The losses of the Japanese
iouSAoul tic CdupdiSH nave Deen SllSht,
the severest casualties having been those
of the torpedo crews. Reports are conflict
ing and will not be adjusted for several
days.
OF the Chinese losses scarcely any details
are yet known. 1t is rumored in Toxic that
after order is restored at Wei-Hai-Wei and
the military situation in Ching kianG be-
comes quieter than at present the Emperor
of Japan may proceed to China and es-
tablish his headquarters In some fortress
recently captured by his army.