The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-27
JAPAN MAIL TO JANUARY Is.
Killing at Port Arthur Lasted Only
One Day-The New Campaigns.

One Day-The New Campaigns.
Yokohama, Jan. 1s.-tPer steamer Sikh
TO Victoria, Jan. 2s.)-The misconduct Of
the Japanese soldiers at Port Arthur is
still a subject of earnest discussion
among natives and foreigners The news
paper correspondents who have describ-
ed the events IN their worst aspects are
understood to have expressed a wiling
ness that the questions OF accuracy be
settled by the reports OF the foreign milf
tary experts who were present. What
the purport of these reports win be is
clearly Soreseen- The representative OF
the French army, who followed the move
ments Of the Japanese from beginning to
end. asserts that after the day on we,scn
Port Arthur was taken ne witnessed no
such atrocities as have been publicly
charged On October II, when the Japan
ese were in wild excitement over mutsla-
tons OF their comrades, many unresist-
ing Chitsese were killed. So far as his
observation went. there was 10 feaeti-
eson OF thu murders on the succeeding
days. The testimony OF the Russian at
tache has no bearing upon the day OF
the battle or the day following. He did
not reach the scene until the 2sd but
none OF the sanguinary orgies described.
Until last week tine American officer,
vito remained on the field after the 9TH
crs had returned TO Tokyo, had yet to be
heard from His view of the affair Is
clearly set forth in private letters. which
entirely fail to substanfiate the accuse
ton that an unrestrained reign or ter
TOR contlnued three days. These letters
were written without tho slightest idea
OF a controversy, and before anything had
been heard at Port Arthur concerning the
statements tesegraphed to America
In addition 10 the causes OF provocation
already known, a new explanation OF tho
immediate origin OF the outbreak Is sug-
gested. and one which may account for
the inability OF the leaders 10 restrain
their men The American officer believes
that determined resistance was expected
by the assaiianss. whose advance through
the town was made In constant apprehen-
sion of sudden attacks from all directions.
Acting under this conviction. they cleared
the way by shooting DOWN every China
man that showed himself. The troops
were ether ordered or tacitiy encouragedto To
do this. until they imagined themselves IL
censei TO rush to exiremities, and broke
through all hounds OF restraint. The con-
sequences were IamentabIe, and the plea
that the soldiers were naddened By the
remembrance OF onsrages inflicted upon
she bodies or their tortured comrades.
though admitted 10 be truthful. is not con-
s!derei sufficient excuse. On the other
hand. however. the American observer
frankly Acknowledges that such Things
happen in all armies, and Says il Is not
fair to demand miracles from the Japan
eze. Taken altogether. bis statements
confirm many, Il net the severes., of tie
allegations. SO far as the zIxt OF October
Is concerned. Bat that was the cnly day
on which he beheid or heard Of any acts
Of cruelty or ferocfty. To the best OF his
knowiedge they began and ended on the
day Of the fighting. He was IN ali parts
Of the town, and saw no one injured. ror
did he hear any sound OF firearms. except
occasionally at distance. among tfa sur
rounding hlFss. The expectation that ne
would eorrcfsorase the allegation that the ]
japanese uasSeslessly prolonged tszs
slaughter day after day Is apparently not
destined 20 be realized. With respect -
the condition 81 She chinese Inhabitants,
ne expresses TIE opinion that they are
now better cy than ever before Ia their
lives. AMI thas they would chesrfEi!y .ss-
tlsy to tho aact.
esrsas snYp~sse IS expressed is osticial
circles that the frank and honorable stafe-
rnesss OF the government respecting fse
events at Port Arthur sfoszid Re saier-
prsses BY any ore as an unconditional in
sssrnernenr OF the extreme rerorss frst
ps4ssixtsest
T-he Jasazsss zso. rrassenati@5 0- Jan
sasxy s. me saes@A q Prime Minister
s.sant Its VAS unusually brsef. dealing
exclusively xstn the sAx and It's szscss4l-