Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-03-06
CHINESE FOUGHT HARD.
Steamer from Toxic Brings
Graphic Reports lof the
Engagements.

Toxic, Feb. IS (per steamer City Of
Picking, via San Francisco March q
Wei-Ha-Wei will be remembered in this
story of the war as the first spot at which
the easy progress of the japanese was
interrupted by serious and prolonged re-
sistance on the part of their enemy. The
town itself from which the naval sta
ton derives its name, together with its
formidable and elaborate chain of land
defenseS was captured with the usual
facility. and wherever the Chinese were
free to escape they disappeared before
anything like severe fighting was attempt
ed on either side. But those who found
themselves surrounded at the beginning
of the affray seemed animated by spirit
Of defiance wholly out of keeping with
the previous attitude and actions of their
cOuntrymen. This change of bearing is
attributed by some to the presence of a
few foreigners among the besleged, by
others to the desperation which was fast
ened upon the garrison when their posi-
ton was discovered to be helpless and
death appeared inevitable.
The harbor of Wei-Hai-Wei is to the
southern entrance of the Gulf of Pechi
Iii, what Port Arthur was at the north.
The position was not really essential to the
Japanese whose navy had free ingress
10 Tie gull, out It's capture WIS lHOuSuJ
desirable, partly as brilliant addition
to the prestige Of the conquerors and
partly to set at rest all anxieties with re-
spect to the still powerful fleet COM
manded by Admiral Ting.
After a successful landing in January
the march inland from the bay near Yung
Cheng began on the 10Th and Both of
that month, and before the evening of the
last-named day the heights overlooking
the harb0r were reached and the first
group of forts, at Pochi Yai Su, were
taken.
Intermittent firing was kept up for
several days, and on February q tor
pedO boat opened a more formida BILE at
tack. 1t was a bold attempt but the
giant-killer, under cover Of darkness,
picked her way through the port until
about 400 metres from the Chinese flag
ship, Ting Yuen. Then the torpedoes
were sent plunging ahead and every one
counted. The ironclad was not immedi-
ately sunk. but the injury inflicted was
so ruinOus that Admiral Ting fled to the
Chen Yen. Other Chinese vessels were
struck, one by one. and some went to the
bottom.
The work of destruction was continued,
and on the 10Th a formal offer of sur
render was sent under q flag of truce, the
admiral proposing to give over everything
at his disposal on condition that the lives
of all who served him, especially the
foreigners, should be spared. His action
is grayely censured, the universal opinion
being that if he could no longer hold out
he should have found means to destroy
the valuable property III his control III,
stead of delivering it up TO the conquer>
ors. His terms, however. were promptly
agreed to. and on the following day the
Japanese began the work of taking over
the four large ships left in serviceable
condition, several gunboats and torpedo
craft, the artillery of the forts and the
stores of ammunition and food. The
Chen Yuen is much hurt, but can be re
paired There are hopes, indeed, that the
Ting Yuen and a few others may be
raised and successfully fioated. However
viewed, the result is of prodigious i'm,
portance to the winning side.
1t is rumored in Toxic that after order
is restored at Wei-Hai-Wei and the mill
tary situation in Ching King becomes
quieter than at present, the Emperor of
Japan may proceed to China and estab-
lish his headquarters in some fortress re-
Gently captured by his army. No official
confirmation of the report can. however
he Obto ircd