The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-23
.Revolutionaries Victori-
Gus in Fight With I'M
perial Troops.
WIDEST RUMORS
IN CIRCULATION
Financial Situation Eased by
Deposit of Government Funds.
War Vessels Said to Be
Short of A1nmunition-Mar-
tial Spirit Of IInperialists
Exceedingly Low.

Shanghai. October 22.-The British
consul here Is in receipt of tele-
gram by way OF Kingkang. from the
consul at Hankow. stating that news
has been received that Chang Sha, in
Human province. and I-Chang. in HUI
Peh province. are In the hands of
the rebels. At the latter place 5000
coolies have made a demand for their
wages in silver, which cannot be OBJ
tained.
Eyewitnessea of the recent engage
tnent between the revolutionary troops
and the imperialists army at Hankow
say that shells fired by the imperial
lists fell in the German concession.
Apparently they were pom-pom shells,
but an examination proved that they
were composed of wood The same
conditions existed in the Chino Japa-
nese war. the officials having found a
contractor willing TO supply wooden
Shells at the same price as steel, the
actual difference in the way of money
being divided,
The North China News says that the
first engagements at Hankow were
evidently trumpery affairs, both sides
being timid. From the China inland
mission comes an account of the first
engagement on "Wednesday. The rebels
there was some skirmishing. About
noon twenty rebel wounded were
brought TO the London mission hos
pitai. mob OF rebel coolies destroy
ed the culvert bridges, and officers OF
the imperial troops came down on an
engine and inspected the damage
AS the imperiallsts retired towards
kilomtre Ten station. they did not re-
ply TO the rebel fire. The rebels ad
SanCed LII,
the most part fell short. Great num-
bers Of rebels proceeded back CT the
concessions to the Riverside Railway
smbankmenL
Cruisers Fire on Rebels, a..
Al o'clock in the afternoon the
Chinese cruisers opened fire on the
rebels. who were attacking the Chi
nese town. The rebels retired after
the third shot. The cruisers freely
sheiied the. rebel position east of the
race course. and apparently succeed
ed IN soaring them, for within a short
time they were in full retreat
Al II o'clock Thursday morning a
large body OF rebels advanced past the
race course. the Chinese cruisers hay.
Ing taken up position further down
the river. There was little firing at
TINS Time. but the W--.nang forts
opened on the warships, which began
TO manoeuvre in order 10 preven,
forts from taking sure aim Thou
sands OF coolies followed the adyan6-
ing rebels.
The first field gun was posted on the
embankment. and the cruisers with
drew 10 the Seven Mile Creek. The
rebels sheiled the North Chinese town.
and continued to advance, and tHs
cruisers retired around the bend Of
the river. The marching army met no
further opposition. The advance guard
In coolie garb. carried away the aban.
doned tmperialist tents. At $50 o'clocl,
In the evening the rebels returned 10
Hankow, hLvinl in their possession
many captured tents and much ammu-
milton and rice.
mere Is no telegraphic communities
ton from Shanghai in the direction OF
Hankow, beyond Kiukiang, except the
wireless of the ships. which is nor
available for public use. The widest
rumors are being printed In the native
newspapers. but In the absence OF EN-
cient telegraph service 1t is not pos
sible to verify these The imperial
government has sent $1,000, 600 for de-
post In the native banks. which has
materially eased the financial situation
1t is said that Admiral Sah's ships are
dangerously short of ammunition. I,ate
reports from reliable sources say that
lighting Is now going on at Marking
and Nanchang.