The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-30

been underestimated A correspond
ent saw three carloads of dead. The
correspondent also saw the minister OF
war Gen. Ying Tchang. and learned
that fifteen thousand northern troops
were camped close to Hankow. Others
are scattered along the railway, which
is closely guarded.
Four hundred imperial soldiers re-
cruited from Ho-Nan province were
found after the battle to have pur-
chased strips of white cloth suitable
for arm bandages similar to those
worn by the rebels to show their al
legiance to the republican cause. These
soldiers. even including some who were
seriously wounded, were hurriedly sent
away, their officers apparently fearing
a spread of the disaffection-
During the fighting a Chinese gun
boat fired from the shelter of a jap
anese gunboat until the latter moved
away, leaving the Chinese warship ex-
posed.
There were about 5000 of the rebel
troops. These were behind we'll plan
ned fortihcations and had little to fear
from the attacks of the imperialists.
It was the guns of Admiral Sah's fleet
which finally decided the day against
them. Sahs eight vessels approached
the rebel positions soon after the ad-
vance of the imperial troops began
tie while the eight ships silently re-
tired as if they had recided not to
participate in the engagement. Later
they returned, this time ready for
business. The range was short and the
gunners mercilessly poured in their
shells on the rear of the rebel posi-
tions. The slaughter was appalling.
The rebel batteries replied Intellectually
and were finally silenced. The gun
boats drew still nearer and the revo
lutiOnists were compelled to retire.
The 1oyalists, whose losses had been
slight advanced on the abandoned
,1r111n nj dor fI1ar-
of the batteries, capturing fifteen field
guns and taking fifty republican pris-
oners.
But the rebels were not yet satisfied.
They returned to the fray in the after
noon bringing reinforcements fresh field
suns and MaXims. They advanced at
double quick, cheering like eager school
boys. They attacked the loyalists Wig
OrOuS1y but the fight was one-sided.
Rebels Were Game.
The trained imperial soldiers raked
the armed rabble in front of them with
their rapid fire guns and modern RI
gamely but were ultimately compelled
to withdraw.
They saved their field guns and
carried off their wounded. Admiral
Sab and his ships did not participate
in the afternoon engagement. Dur
ing the retreat through Hankow many
stray shots found their way into the
foreign concessions
One Chinaman was killed in the
French concession and the American,
Kepler, was seriously wounded.
Not a Serious Loss.
Toxic, Oct. 3O.-The reverses of the
Chinese rebels at HankoW are not con-
here as serious. Strategicaily
the city is valueless and its poss ession
would heavily handicap the rebels. 1t
is probable they will strongly fortify
Wu-Chang and make that city their
headquarters.
The request of the chinese govern
ment for a loan from the Yokohama
specie bank, having been made
Sheng- -Hsuan-Huai, the then
of posts and communicate rs,
fell through as q result of the minis
ter's removal and disgrace. As a re-
suit of the general chaos in China, the
Manchurian loan has been definitely
refused The attitude of the capitalists
here has evidently changed and they
are not likely to entertain any loan
from Peking for some time.
Burning the City.
Shaghi, Oct. 3O-A wireless message
from the British warship at Hankow
says that the imperialists are burning
the native city of Hankow and thai
the entire advance of the government
forces is marked with hideous brutality.