WAR IN COREA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 224, 19 September 1894, Page 5

WAR IN COREA.

GREAT BATTLE NEAR

SEOUL.

A Japanese Victory.

Chinese Loss—2,3oo Killed and 16,000 Prisoners.

Reported Suicide of Li

Hung Chang.

LoNroN, Sepbember 18; Fifty thousand Japanese were engaged in the battle near Seoul. The engagement began at daybreak, and continued all day. The Japanese advanced in three columns, attacking on the centre, right and in the flank simultaneously. The Chinese were strongly entrenched in the front, but were weak in the rear. General Wai, commander-in-chief of the Manchurian array, was taken prisoner. • The victory was brilliant and complete. A report is current that Li Hung Chang has committed suicide in consequence of his degradation. Many Japanese noblemen volunteer as soldiers. The war fever continues to rage fiercely./ The " Times " considers that the battle has changed the balance of power in the East, and may have farreaching effects/ The victory was due to the Japanese supremacy at sea, enabling them to convey troops to Corea. Shanghai, September 18. The Chinese loss in killed was 2*3 00* -iOC.7

The majority ofthe 16,000 prisoners are wounded: — They surrendered within ten .hours after, the.,fight. ~ The Japanese are fortifying Pingyang, and have completed a telegraph line to Seoul.

Flying columns are pushing northward to secure the passes and prevent reinforcements arriving.

The Chinese stuck to their forts, and were caught in a trap by the flanking columns.

The Japanese plans were laid to this end, and they took the precaution to have a superior force before making the final attack.

Whole regiments were seized with panic on finding that retreat was impossible, and surrendered. . X

The Mikadp has.,warmly, .congratulated Commander Marshall Yaraagata.

There is some alarm in Shanghai at the prospect of a possible invasion.