The Invasion of China.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 237, 4 October 1894, Page 9

The Invasion of China.

Advance of the Japanese. Great Battle Imminent FEARS OF THE CHINESE. The Emperor Preparing I ,- For Flight... |^^;- ! Rebellious f and Unreliable •-:,• Soldiers. Another Japanese Army | Landed. ;,. ' _____ } [PRESS ASSOCIATION.] {BY ELECTRIC! TELEGKAPH—COPYRIGHT.] y ■•tf^SS^SKSj^ Shanghai, October 3. The Japanese invasion of China is causing intense alarm throughout the Empire. It is believed that the resistance which will be offered by China will be futile, owing to the demoralisation of the troops, and to a widespread condition of mutiny and rebellion.

In addition to the Japanese army which has landed near Tien-tsin, it is believed that the Japanese fleet intend to make a combined onslaught on the coast, and to land large numbers of troops to march on Pekin.

The Japanese fleet was sighted last Friday at a point on the coast two hundred miles from Pekin. -

Troops are being mobilised to prevent their landing, and large bodies are being massed between Pekin and the sea-coast.

There are very serious dissensions in the Chinese army, and the commanders of the forces experience the greatest difficulty in overcoming the state of panic and the feeling of insubordination which exist in the ranks.

It is rumoured further that a great rebellion is brewing in the Empire, having for its object the overthrow ol the existing dynasty,

The Emperor's officials at the capital fear that the Japanese will capture Pekin, owing to the discontent with the ruling dynasty and the unreliability of the soldiers.

The Emperor also is afraid that his troops will be unable to stop the march of the Japanese , armies towards the capital. *'

He is accordingly making arrangements to transfer his court to Nankin, which lies 500 miles to the southward of Pekin, on the Yarig-tse-kiang River.

"The Emperor's court is stricken with terror, and his advisers are fearful that the military commanders will not be able to restore order in the royal forces.

It is stated that another Japanese array, 5,000 strong, has landed from transports at Possiet Bay, in Corea, close to the Kussian frontier. The object of this force is not definitely known.

The Chinese commanders are taking heroic measures to restore discipline, but it is thought that the secret organisation, numbering many millions, which has for its object the overturning of the dynasty, may prove too strong to be successfully coped with. It is openly stated that China's greatest danger lies within her, and not in the advance of the Japanese arms. ... , -