February 14, 1895,1
entrance, and their torpedo boats getting inside they then launched their torpedoes at the Chi- mese ships. This, of course, is mere report. Details are unknown, nor is it known whether the Armstrong "mosquito" boats have escaped or not, THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE. We take the following telegrams and des- patches from the N. C. Daily News :-
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
115
it being definitely known that Weihaiwei was about twenty-five shots fell in the city. One to be attacked, volunteering to lead a force to shot at least went clear over the city and reinforce the land troops there.. The Prince struck nearly a half mile beyond it. We have at once gave General von Hanneken power to already heard of seven or eight houses being pick out a force, variously reported at from struck, two of them being set on fire. One shot 25,000 to 50,000 men, of those encamped in struck Miss Moon's yard wall, but did no other the vicinity of Tientsin and southwards as far damage. Miss Moon herself was not at home, as Ts'angehow on the borders of Shantung. A considerable number of persons were wounded, Tokyo, 3rd February. Armed with these powers General von Hanneken though we have only heard of one being killed. Yesterday afternoon the second interview set about his plan to relieve Weihaiwei; but, as which is rather a remarkable thing considering took place between the Japanese Ministers and usual there were obstacles put in his way. His the number of shells that fell in the city. None the Chinese Envoys for exchange of credentials, colleague, Hu Yü fen, the ex-Judze of Kuangsi of the vessels stopped, but simply fired as they when the Chinese credentials were found to be and chief of the Peiying commissariat, declared went, and when well past the city turned off and faally defectivo and powerless, so the Japanese himself unable to supply the force with the ne- steamed north towards Port Arthur. It is Ministers refused to continue negotiations and cessary provisions, etc., as the turning south-surmised here that the Japanese came through closed the conference. The Chinese Envoys wards of these troops would disjoint and disor. Hope Sound looking for Chinese vessels, which were required to depart on the earliest possibleganise the department!”
have once or twice secreted themselves there for occasion and will leave Hiroshima to-morrow by
NEWS FROM CHEFO0.
a short time, and being fired on by the fort on the Owari Maru for Nagasaki, where they will await a steamer for China. An Inspector-Gen-week, says the N. C Daily News of the 8th inst., also on the city.
The weather at Chefon was very cold last the north hill, opened not only on the fort but 1 he Chinese stoutly deny that eral of Police and several inspectors accompany and the harbour was frozen over for some three they fired the first shot, and it is impossible to tell the Embassy to Nagasaki for protection.
The Diet unanimously passed a resolution that as low as 9 deg. Fahr, so that the sufferings of
miles from shore, the temperature having fallen at this writing just how the affray did open. It was a breach of the laws of war for the they consider the objects of the war yet unat the Japanese and Chinese soldiers at Weibaiwei Japanese to fire in this reckless way and with tained, and are prepared to grant whatever must have been intense. Operations at the ont notice on a defenceless city. They would, amounts are necessary for military expenses to latter place were suspended on Tuesday, but of course, have been justitiel in dismantling the establish the country's prestige, and adopted this when the Liting passed, the Japanese could be fort, which they could easily have done witbont resolution with the express intention of making
seen encamped on the hills on the mainland, touching the city. We have, of course, informed the country's sentiments generally known.
The information which has come to hand with while a number of men-of-war and transports the authorities at Chefoo and hope we may re- in the last twenty-four hours, says the N. C. that none of the Chinese escaped, while the Chi propos to stand by our homes and only ask that The men-of-war were watchingceive a visit from some of them to-morrow. We Daily News of the 8th inst., points to a more
pese fleet was on guard inside, one ironclad be- the Japanese be required to troat us according marked desire on the part of the Chinese Governing at each entrance, and the other vessels be- to the laws of civilised warfare. ment to bring about a cessation of hostilities,
tween them. From Chefoo we learu that a num the hopefulness of which is mainly discounted ber of soldiers who had deserted from Weihaiwei by the prevailing belief that the Japanese are and elsewhere had been beheaded, their decapi in no mood to debate terms of peace, and will tated bodies lying about in the vicinity of the readily fix upon any pretext to seemingly war foo. Two forsiguers, Messrs. Thomas and Wal. rant the continuation of this outrageous and pole, are reported killed. their deaths occurring deliberately provoked war. Yesterday at noon when they blew up the forts on the mainland we issued the following " Extra ":-
after the Chinese soldiers had deserted them Mr. Thomas was an Englishman and had been a gunner on board the Customs cruiser Kaipan One of the two foreigners who were taken out of the Sydney at Kobe some time ago, but after being released joined the Chinese at Weihaiwei, is now in Shanghai. The other man is said to
one of the torpedo-boats at. Weihaiwei. THE ATim N TENGCHOW. The following accounts of tub Japanese attack, related by the resident American missionaries, have been kindly sent to us (N. C. Daily News) for pub ication:-
Tue.
were all seen.
be ou
19-election.
as
ני
THE SECOND ATTACK
evening we supposed we were done with them When the Japanese turned north on Friday for the present, but the next day a little after islands and a little later they steamed out noon they were discovered lying bobiad the
if going east towards Chefoo, but presently turned and came up toward the range she opened fire, the city, and as soon as the foremost got within following in turn. They made a circle, keeping other vessels beyond the range of the gun on the north bill, and as they turned away from us ceased firing. We hoped they were gone, but they weut round the circle and returned firing as before and then steamed off about four o'clock towards Chefoo.
As soon as they appeared Mr. Hayes went down to the water city and with the help of a military officer there managed to get a sampan, and taking
He was
tie
our
"We understand that the Chinese Govern- ment are making renewed efforts towards peace with Japan. A telegram has been despatched from Peking to the Envoys at Nagasaki telling - remain there pending the receipt of NAT ONE TO
the In resh may be acceptadie credenc adament. Japanese cof
It appears that the "credentials of the Envoys consisted only of a holograph letter from the Emperor of China to the Mikado, deploring the quarrel and the great bloodshed which had resulted. This letter is described as being of an impressive character,
white not also an American flag put off to but it was not deemed sufficient to authorise the
This afternoon about four o'clock (18th try to hear(d) cons the vessels and, if possible, Envoys to discuss terms. It, however, elicited January) the quiet city of Tengchow was startled make such statemes the facts as would pre- a letter of a similar tone from the Mikado.”
by the firing of heavy guns. They came, as it vent them firing into the cry Whatever we may think of a government proved, from three Japanese men-of-war passing time in the direct range of the gud on the hill which sends its representatives with such weak
opposite the city through Hope Sound toward the and shots fell both before and behind him. instruments to talk of peace, we think there can east. Hope Sound separates Miaotao Island from finally got outside of the direct range and keep- be little doubt that the Emperor's advisers the mainland, and is about four miles wide.ing on finally got quite near one of the vessels, were acting in good faith, and that on the other The city of Têngehow lies just opposite the but no signs or bailing from him were heeded hand the Japanese were not particularly sorry east end of this islan, the north wall being and, as they did not stop, he of course could when they were able to bow the Envoys ont about half a mile from the shore. Between the not get alongside. I stood on top of the house and return lightly to the game of war. But,city proper and the sea lies the "water city," with an American flag waving in full view of however pleasing the war may be to Japanese which has its own separate wall, a small stream them through the whole first round and part of vanity and thirst for military glory, it is flowing between the two. The ordinary gar- the second. They seemed to aim most of their time they began to realise that foreigners rison of the city is stationed, in this water shots at the tower over the gate, and as are viewing with very decided feelings the
city," and to the west of it on a high hill hous lay in about the same range we got a damage which the war has already inflicted upon there is a small fort with one good sized modern larger number of shots than any spot in the trade, and are asking how far the injury is to be
cannon. There are three encampments on city. One of the first shots fired landed a shell allowed to continue unchecked. The time for the south and west sides of the city, containing in the earth about forty feet from our the opening of the Northern Ports is drawing in all about 2.500 soldiers. There are no soldiers house. A few moments later another fell near, but business promises to be absolutely nil, in the city. When the first few shots were fired within five feet of the first Half a dozen for, with the reiterated intention of the Japanese I supposed it was the Chinese firing away powder more went whizzing over my head and struck to occupy Peking, such a state is but natural as they are wont to do for practice, but the shots and burst beyond. One went so close to me that It is to be hoped, therefore, that China being very heavy I went up to the look-out on I involuntarily dodged to one side, which was as will at once pursue the proper course for the top of the house, from which the sea is in full view. natural as it was useless. There was a fascina- arranging of peace and that the Japanese will I saw a large vessel passing by the city about half tion in watching the flashes and then listening be prepared to meet these overtures in a right way from the mainland to the islands. Presently for the whizzing of the shot. But about the spirit. Japan will not only forfeit every right another came in view from behind the bluff, and middle of the last round I concluded I had to the respect which her victories, easy though finally a third. Both the forward vessels fired better get down, considering that if the house some of them have been, may have gained for continuously on the city as they passed. The hind-
were struck beneath me I might be rolled down her if she slights any honest attempts at peace, most only fired one or two shots. The gun on and killed by the fall. Just after I came down but she will also be courting a more practical the little fort on the hill fired several shots, as
a large shell went into the earth about a risk, viz., very decided action on the part of also did some guns in the water city mounted. hundred feet east of the house, and bursting the foreign Powers.
on the wall facing the sea, but their balls fell far threw a shower of earth and stones over the short in the water. From my post of observation house. In all eight shots struck quite close I could see every flash from the vessels and hear around our house and six or seven more within the balls whizzing over my head or striking the
a couple of hundred yards. Most of the shots Ono shot went clean wall near by. The Têngchow College, with Mr. fell in open gardens. Hayes' house and mine, are about 200 yards from through the North Gate tower but did not the north wall of the city and directly opposite seriously damage it. At least forty shells fell the water city. I saw one shot plough into the in the city, and several struck the wall. The gan earth in a garden about 100 yards from Mr.
on the north hill fired from time to time, and Hayes' house, and also saw a shell strike the wall Mr. Hayes reports that one shot came within and burst with a deafening explosion about 200 three or four rods of the foremost Japanese yards distant. One shot came through the wall vessel. The people fled in crowds to our houses and, glancing, demolished a Chinese house supposing that somehow or other we could pro, about 120 yards to the east of us, Probably test them. The first day's bombardment greated
THE STRENGTH OF THE CHINESE
ARMY.
According to Chiness official statistics there are 194,000 men on the active service list in Manchuria, besides the 40,000 men of Liu K'un. yi's army corps and the 24,000 first reserve at Shanhaikuan, making a total of 250.000 men to meet the Tenanese in Manchuria the coming spring. This does not include the forces in
Tientsin and vicinity.
GENERAL VON HANNEKEN. A Tientsin native despatch states that General von Hanneken petitioned Prince Kung, upon
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