The record-union., 1895-02-08
CHINAiO FLEET DISABLED.
The Ironclads Chen Yuen and Ting
Yuen Sunk in Battle.
OTHER SHIPS IN THE GRASP OF
THE JAPANESE
Chinese Forts Suffer Great Damage
An Intervention of the Powers
Likely to Occur to Stop HostiIities
The Boundary Question Between
Mexico and Guatemala Still in an
Unsettled State.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.

special 10 jne hECORD-UNION.
LONDON. Feb. IA cablegram from
Wei Hal Wei, dated to-day, says the Chi
nese fleet has practically ceased to exist
The ironclad Chen Yuen and her sister
ship, the Ting Yuen, have been sunk,
and the other vessels of the Chinese fleet
are within the grasp of the Japanese.
At daybreak on Sunday the Japanese
fleet opened fire on the Lui Kung forts,
which replied vigorously. The bonn
bardment became terrific. The first Jap
anese division including the flagship,
directed its force against the eastern
island batteries, while the second division
shelled Fort Sehlh. The Chinese fleet
soon came to the assistance of the forts.
The Ting Yuen used her guns with effect
but succeeded in diverting some of the
Japanese fire from the forts to herself
The Lai Yuen, smaller ship, also fought
well. There were many casualties.
Two Chinese gunboats also assisted.
but were not badly damaged. These four
vessels fought desperately until dark.
when the firing ceased on both sides.
The Chinese forts, especially Fort
Sehih, suffered immense damage. The
Chinese fire toward evening indicated
gunners were killed or that ammunition
was becoming scarce. The sea was
rough on Sunday, but fearing that the
Chinese would eudeavor to escape, the
Japanese fleet did not seek shelter, re-
naming to block the exits from the har-
Dor.
During the night the Japanese learned
from prisoner who had been captured
ashore that Admiral Ting, the Chinese
naval commander, had ordered the Cap
taIns OF the various ships TO remain in
side the harbOr, even if the islands should
be captured and endeavor to destroy the
japanese fleet. Every officer was ordered
to remain at his post until the last, under
pain Of dishonOr or death.
The bombardment was resumed to-day,
Sundays operations being repeated. The
ire from Fort Sehih continued weakly,
The Chinese men-of-war were so re-
peatedly and badly hit that their guns
were handled with difficulty, and with
less spirit. Toward the close of the fight
the Ting Yuen and Chen Yuen were dis
abIed. They gradually settled down and
| tOundered, amid the shouts of the Japan
ese, both on land and sea. The other
Chinese vessels were in distress.
The dispatch concludes with the state
menL that the japanese are preparing to
carry Liu kung by storm.
The Chen Guen and Ting Yuen were
built at the Vulcan Works, Stettin, Ger
many. The former was launched in De-
cember, 1882, and the latter in Decem Der,
1881. Chief Engineer King of the United
States Navy recently described the YES
sells as follows: They are armored ships
OF the barbette type, with citadel amid
ships. Rising above are two others
placed en- echelon, in each of which are
mounted two twelve-inch, fifty-ton
krupp guns, while on the bow and stern
one OF hrupp's long hve-eighth-inch
guns Is mounted.
BOMBARDING MING Hal,
CHE Foo, Feb. The Japanese forces
to-day arrived near Ming Hal, a town
between Wei Hal Wei and this city, and
began bombardment of the forts OH the
western side of the town. The foreign
ers in Che Foo are under arms. The
gates of the city have been closed and
barricaded. 1t is thought probable that
the attack on Ming Hal is a teint on the
part OF the Japanese to cover new land
ing of their forces.
THE CONCORD INCIDENT.
LONDON, Feb. THE report that some
Of the officers of the United States war
ship Concord had been captured by Chi
nese while hunting near Chin Klang was
received here by London news agency
from its agent at Shanghai.
The same agency to-day prints a dis
patch saying that the captured officers
have been released.
The fact that nothing at all concerning
their capture or release has come through
any other agency leads to the belief that
the story is untrue.
THE POWERS NAY INTERVENE.
LONDON, Feb. IA dispatch to the
Times from Paris says: Some Russian
EnyOys have received Instructions as to
tho attitude that Russia, England and
France, and through Russia's interyen-
ton, the United States, intend to take on
the questions raised by the war between
China and Japan.
According to the Times correspondent.
it has Deen decided that the intervention
OF these Powers at the proper moment
will be absolutely necessary. China will
be asked, IN her own interests as well as
those of the civilized world, to open up
her ports, seeing that the present system
has led to China's powerlessness aud ruin,
The Powers Will wait until China admits
herself Vanqulshed and sincerely nego-
tiates for peace. 1t will then be pointed
out to Japan that Europe cannot allow
her to annex an inch Of the Chinese main
land. But the same impossibility does
not exist regarding other annexations.
which Will be open 10 discussion.
There Will be no intervention concern
ing vessels, arms and other booty, nor as
to the war indemnity. This question
must be settled between the com batants
No objection Will be raised to Japan re-
tanning certain positions as pledges of
payment, but no commercial stipulations
TO the disadvantage of the Powers will be
permitted. The whole world is to profit
by any opening of the ports or liberty
granted to penetrate into the interior of
China. Finally, the Powers will insist
that the Chinese currency in the future
is to be on the European system, in or
der TO facilitate the new foreign loan to
which China will be obliged to resort.