The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-04
AMERICAN OFFICERS IN PERIL.
A Party From the Concord Cap
tured at Chin Kiang.
Accidentally Shot Chinaman by
Mistake.
The Northern Forts at Wei Hal Wei Still
Holding Out Against the
Japs.

LONDON, Feb. ga dispatch from
Shanghai says @ telegram has been re-
ceived there from Chin Kisne stating
that party OF officers from the Ameri-
can wsrship Concord landed at Chin
Kaing, for the purpose Of shooting
game. They, by accident, shot Chi
naman. The populscs was greatly in
furisted and attacked, seized and car
ried off the whole party. The COM
msnder Of the Concord sent en- armed
force OF bluejsckets and marines to res
cue them at all hazards. Further news
in regard to the affair is snxiously
awaited.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3-The reported
kidnapping of the officers Of the U. S. s.
Concord at Chin Kiang, China, reached
Washington at too late an hour to per-
NIT il to be inquired into in naval or
diplomatic circles. Up to 10 O'Clock no
news on the subject had been received
by any OF the government officials. The
news will create profound sensation
tomorrow, and unless later reports show
that the captured officers are at liberty,
other vessels will probably be hurried to
the scene. Knowing the condition of
the Chinese at the present time and the
way in which they are likely to deal
with prisoners, there will be great anx-
ietv until the safety of the party is as
sured.
A court martial will probably follow,
ss the policy OF the United States is to
require unusual care in such cases. A
few years ago a test torpedo from a
United States warship was exploded by
some Japanese who found it on the
beach. One of them WA killed and,
though the Japanese government held
the officers blameless, there was court
martial and the officer was severely reps
rimanded.
The Concord is twin screw steel gun
boat OF ITO tons displacement. She ia
commanded by Joseph E. Craig and has
a complement OF IL officers and $50 men.
She arrived at Chin Kiang last Fri
day. The following is list of the off,
GERS on the Concord: Commander,
Joseph E. Craig, commanding; lieuten-
ants, E. S. Prime, G. A. Merriam,
William s. Hogg, w A. Gill; ensigns,
Marbary, johnson. G. M. Faks and L. E.
H. Everhart; naval cadets, Chester
Wells. ]. B. Potter and A. M. Proctor
surgeon, W. A. Mcclure; paymaster,
Henry 7. Smith; assistant engineer. j.
B. Patton cadet engineer, ]. r. Brady.
The other ships now belonging to the
Asiatic station are the Baltimore,
Charleston, Yorktown, Detroit, Machias,
Petrol and Monocscy. Rear Admiral G.
6. Carpenter commands the station
with the Baltimore as his flagship. He
will undoubtedly act with promptness.
YOKOHAMA, Feb. 3-Further details
OF the fighting at Wei Hal Wei are at
hand, and from these it is learned that
on Tuesday last the Japanese manned
the Psi-Chi- Hyaiso forts on the south
western side of Wei-Hai- which
forts had been captured by them the
day previous. The batteries of these
forts, together with the com bined guns of
the feet, were then directed against the
! Chinese warships with such effect that
the latter sought shelter out of range of
the guns. A high wind that was pre-
vailing prevented the Japanese from re-
newina the attack. The Japanese de-
clare five Chinese men-of>war and s0me
torpedo boats were captured. According
to other reports, two Japanese vessels
were sunk and another seriously dam
aged.
A Times dispatch from Tien Tsin says
the latest news from Wei. Hai-Wei
shows that half the northern forts on
the mainland are holding out against
Japanese assaults. A Japanese ship
was damaged and torpedo boat eunk
while attempting to force the northern
entrance OF the harbor.
Later-A dispatch from Cheefoo states
that the Japanese have captured the
island of Luikung Tao off Wei. Hai.Wei
after desperate fighting. The dispatch
adds that the Japanese feet maintained
a terrific fire on the island forts for sew
eral hours. The Chinese gunners re.
sponded spiritedly. Several OF the
Chinese guns were disabled toward the
close of the bombardment. The forts
were badly damaged. Finally while the
Japanese ships were still firing at the
island forts six vessels lowered boats
filled with marines armed with cutlasees
and carbines. These boats were pulled
ashore in the teeth of the enemy's fire
and the Japanese then carried all the
Chinese batteries by storm after fierce
fighting.
Many on both sides were killed or
wounded. A large number OF prisoners
were taken. When the dispatch left
the Chinese and Japanese fleets were
hotly engaged.