THE WAR IN THE EAST

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9620, 19 September 1894, Page 5

THE WAR IN THE EAST

GREAT BATTLE NEAR SEOUL. COMPLETE ROUT OF THE CHINESE. t CAPTURE OF A GENERAL. REPORTED SUICIDE OP LI HUNG CHANG. CHINESE LOSS, 2300. 10,000 PRISONERS. Prjas Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. London, September 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 army, was taken prisoner. The victory was brilliant and complete. A report is current that Li Hung Chang has committed suicide in consequence of bis degradation. Many Japanese noblemen volunteer as soldiers. p 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 far-reaching effects. The victory was due to the Japanese supremacy at sea, ehabling them to convey troops to Corea. Shanghai, September 18. The Chinese loss in killed was 2300. The majority of the 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 im* possible, and surrendered. The Mikado has warmly congratulated Commander Marshal Yamagata. There is some alarm in Shanghai at the prospect of a possible invasion;