New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-05
GULF OF PE-CHI-LI TO BE BLOCKADED.
THE JAPANESE PI.ANs-GHEAT SUPPLIES OF COAL


FOUND AT PORT ARTHUR-KING OF
COREAs PLEDGES.
Toxic. Jan l9-When the japanese capture Wei
Hal-Wei 1t is their intention to blockade the Gulf
OF Pe-Ch-LL The distance across the mouth of the
Gulf from Port Arthur to Wei-Hai-Wei Il only 40
miles. Twenty ships can easily close it. and they
need not be ships Of war. Good, swift cruisers.
each carrying guns. would amply serve the
purpose. To China the blocking Of the Gulf would
be serious matter Before the days of steamers.
Peking used to It's supplies Of rice and salt
by the Grand Canal inland route. secure against
interruption by a foreign enemy But for the last
twenty-five years the capital has depended upon
communication by and by the Pei-Ho River.
New-Years Day in Japan is time Of universal
celebration. At the Imperial Court especially the
season Is observed with much pomp and splendor.
This year. however. the Emperor announced his
intention OF dispensing with all the usual cere-
nonials and rejoicings The thought OF the soldiers
spending their New Year among the SHOWS of
Manchuria chilled all sense Of pleasure In the pal
ace. Hiroshima followed the Sovereigns example
No visits were paid. no presents sent, no straw
chaplets and pine boughs suspended the lntes.
Probably abstention OF the kind had ever before
occurred In the history Of the town. The Emperor
recalled his soldiers suferings in another way ALSO
lie put private's uniform and spent several OF
the evening hours performing sentinel duty in the
open air. Then he told his Ministers and mobiles
that he understood in measure what the SOL
d!ers had to endure.
The japanese have found immense stock Of
coal at Port Arthur-enough 1t is said, TO supply
me me wants Of the Army and Navy for six months.
Wnien fact 1t appears that the coal must have been
nsns-shipped at Shanghai before hostilties began.
appaientiy an additional proof of Chna's belligerent
piepdrations prior TO the outbreak of the war. 1t
as stated tnat fully 200 fugitive Chinese soldiers
Saces "Sesled Sesr in the hills and other out
~ MLhey n mve oy maraudng, but they never appear
N ID oanus nus OF any Size 1t is extremely difficult 10
The Tong; hak reoss in the southwesterly prov
% coo Oui 90 az C1rea are now said 10 number
iDce. nfty nave been compelled by the insurgents
IIaks have erected chhodo into a separate King
dom, appointing their own sovereign and admins
traive ofiicsls ais They are merely political iools.
latest Intelligence from the disubea disris ia' saHs
a the that hs hea s have Killed 1h onk
the Japanese sent 10 quell the nsurroction and
that the rebels have dispersed
news that the Chinese civilian inhabitants ha We be-
come perfectly reconciled TO the situation. and are
carrying on their usual vocation@ In peace ard con-
4, the instance Of Count Inouys, Japanese repre-
solemn oath before the tomb Of his ancestors to
observe a series OF pledges He promises to aban-
don all reliance upon China. and hold firmly by
Of royal suggestion clearly distinguishing between
the sovereign house and its branches 10 superln
isnd State affairs in person. With the advice OF his
court lady being rgidly excluded from particpa-
tion In such busness-to draw distinct line o:
tration; TO define the duties and competence OF
The Cabinet and Of the departments Of state; to to
law and vigorously to interdic; any extra ieyles.
20 codify the laws 70 retrench an introduce order
duce .he system Of military conscription, and 10
abolish all distinctions OF class IN appointing and
Japan'S foreign commerce during 1894 aggregated