Omaha daily bee., 1895-03-03

or frozen to death after having swum ashore
On the night Of February fresh tor
pedo squadron was sent TO continue the Work
and made an end of two II not more OF the
Chinese cruisers. without themselves suffer-
ing as severely as their predecessors. 1t was
afterward learned that the little craft had
been instrumental in sinking the Wei-Yuen
and Using Ye, together with several smaller
vessels On the morning OF the 9Th only four
OF the once redoubtable Pei-Yang divisions
of the navy remained fit for service.
The large ships OF Admiraf Itos feet had
thus far done little but shell the forts on the
two Islands. On the 9Th they rested en-
tirely, beginning anew and with redoubled
energy on the 7th. BY this time gunners on
shore were able to cooperate effectively,
especially at the eastern edge OF the harbor'
Soon after dawn one of their shells ex-
ploded a magazine on il island, tearing asun-
der the walls OF the fort and compelling the
garrison to hurry across to Leao Kung.
While the asssilants were cheering one
another over this piece OF good fortune,
a more exciting incident followed. a hock
of Chinese torpedo boats broke away from the
main body lying behind Ii Kuang and with
two or three light draft steamers steered
through the barrcade near its western end
and raced along shore toward Che-foo'
Their speed was not equal to the first OF the
japanese flying squadron which set on IN
chase with such alacrity that the fugtives
were all overtaken within two hours. Some
wero run down and sunk, Others injured by
firing guns, and the others driven TO the
bay u the east of Che-Foo, where most oil
them surrendered. few ran ashore, and
being abandoned by the crews were made
power,ess for further mischief before the
pursuers returned to their duty at Wei-Hai-
Wei.
CHINESE PITIABLE POSITION.
The situation Of the defenders was now
pitiable indeed Incessant cannonading was
directed at them from heights where
the heavy long range pieces had been planted,
and places where they found shelter In the
early days of combat no longer Afforded pro-
lection. The soldiers on the forts were less
liable to be slaughtered than thoEe on board
ships but even their ranks were gradually
thinned while their efforts at retaliation
were totally ineffective. While they would
perhaps have fought desperately to the end
in a hand-to-han conflict their energies ap-
peared to sink as their destiny was seen to
be inevitable.
On the 9th OF February considerable
anxiety was displayed, two Of the ships en-
deavoring to dslodge an inccnvenient bat
terry on the western headland, but from that
date the energy of the Chinese steadily di-
minished On the 10Th formal offer OF
surrender was sent under flag Of truce,
the admiral proposing to give over every
thing at his disposal on condition that the
lives OF all who served him, especially the
foreigners, should be spared. His action Is
gravely censured, the universal opinion being
that II lie could no longer hold out he should
have found means to destroy the valuable
property in his control instead of deliver
ing It up to the conquerors. His terms
however, were promptly agreed to, and or
the following day the japanese began thu
work Of taking over the four large ships lef
In servceabe condition. several gunboats ant
torpedo craft, the artillery and the stores o
ammunition The Chen Yuen is much hurt
but can be repaired There are hopes, in
deed that the Ting Yuen and a few other!
may be raised and successfully hoated. How
ever, whatever the result, it is of prodigiou
importance to the winning side.
Admiral Ting's fate Is curously talked of
That he can never return TO China seems t
be generally admitted. Japan would un
doubtedly give him refuge, and it is possi
Bile he may end his days as a pensioner II
the land which he once proclaimed himsel
able to master with no other force than tina
OF his now beaten fleet. The losses of tn
japanese throughout the campaign have beel
slight, the severest casualties having bee
those Of the torredo crews. Reports ar
conflicting and will not be adjusted for sew
eral days OF the Chinese losses scarce
any details are yet known.
1t Is rumored In Toxic that after order
restored at Wei-Hai-Wei and the militar
situation In Ching-King becomes quieter tha
at present the emperor OF Japan may pre-
coed to China and establish his headquarter
in some fortress recently captured by hi
army. No ofic'al confirmation Of the re
port can, however, be obtained.