THE WAR IN THE EAST.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1197, 8 February 1895, Page 37

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

Tokio, January 30. The Chinese Envoys, together with Mr John Foster, of the United States, who will assist the Chinese cause, have arrived at Hiroshima to conduct the negotiations with Japan for the declaration of peace. Shanghai, January 30. Twenty thousand Chinese reinforcements have arrived at Niuchang. Shanghai, January 31. The Japanese have captured one fort at Weihaiwei. After their fleet had bombarded the position, the Japanese landed the troops, who stormed three forts, and the guns in Weihaiwei are now silenced. Shanghai, Febiuary 1. After two days’ fighting at Weihaiwei, the Chinese fled when the assault was delivered. They lost 2000 men. They still hold one island, some forts, and the ships. Shanghai, February 2. The resistance offered by some of the forts &t Weihaiwei is regarded as feeble, in view off the natural strength of the Chinese force. The latter’s warships maintained a heavy fire, and many of the forts were stubbornly defended, but the majority were captured in a few hours. Both sides lost heavily, but the Japanese captured an enormous quantity of munitions of war.

It is reported that one of the Japanese warships was disabled, and two torpedo boats were sunk.

' The fire of the Chinese fleet was conducted from anchorage in the harbour. London, February 3.

The Yokohama correspondent of one of the news agencies telegraphs that it is officially announced that on the exchange of credentials the powers given to the Chinese Envoys deputed to treat for peace ■were found to be utterly defective, and the Japanese Government declined to enter into negotiations with them. It is also stated that the Envoys depart to-morrow, under the protection of the Japanese authorities. Shanghai, February 3. The attack on Wei-hai-wei was a scientific one, and opened landwards at dawn. The Japanese seized the heights, spread a. cordon, and surprised the outer lines of the Chinese forces, but the inner force offered a stubborn resistance.

The western forts fiercely responded to the fire of the Japanese warships, and disabled one ironclad, besides sinking a couple of torpedo boats. Thpse forts only yielded when a shell exploded in their magazine, killing about one-tenth of the men.

The eastern forts are still fighting. Shanghai, February 4. It is reported that the Japanese captured 10 of the Chinese warships at Wei-hai-wei, and in the attack lost two of their own vessels, which were sunk. After a terrific bombardment, the Japanese sailors landed on the island of Liu-kung-tan in the %ce of a fierce fire, and stormed the fort. Both sides lost heavily. The fleets are still fighting. The Governor of Chefoo is beheading all runaways from Wei-hai-wei. The populace of Chiukiang captured a party of officers from the American warship Concord, who had accidentally shot a native. ‘ The Concord landed a force to go to the rescue, but the result is not yet known. Shanghai, February 5. The Chinese on the Island of Liu-kung-

tan are still resisting the advance of the Japanese. A great battle is expected at Niucliang this week, and the Chinese are very hopeful of success. The Chinese loan is to be issued with a minimum of 96J. The Chinese troops ai’e fighting fiercely in reply to the attack of the Japanese at Wei-hai-wei, and it is now said their fleet remains intact. Londo-n, February 4. The British, French, and Russian Ministers at Pekin and Tokio have been instructed to advise the belligerents to arrange terms of peace. Tokio, February 4*. The Japanese Parliament has passed a resolution that the objects of the war are still unattained.

The island of Liu-kung-tan is an important factor in the defence of Wei-hai-wei. It lies just off the town, and forms a great seaward barrier, rising in places to over 600 feet. Owing to .the presence of this island the entrance to Wei-hai-wei is divided into two somewhat tortuous channels, commanded by the land defences. The resolution passed by the Japanese Diet, declaring that the objects of the war are still unattained, does not argue well for the prospects of peace. Jt is evidently not the policy of Japan to rest satisfied with the victories she has up to the present time won. The main object she sought to achievo when she entered upon the war with China was the reform of the government of Corea. The Japanese authorities proposed various changes in the administration of affairs in that country, the work to be carried out jointly by Japan and China. The • latter Power refused on the ground that its traditional policy ' was never to interfere in the internal affairs of a vassal State. This dispute was the cause of the war.

Ample preparations were made by the Japanese Government for the prosecution

of the war during this year. On November 1 the War Department were able to report that the stock of cartridges in hand was , large enough to give 240,000 men ten rounds per man per diem for twelve months. The new clothing had accumulated to four suits per man. “ Ice-shoes ” were being made for the 20,000 horses in the field. As it had been found impossible to accustom the troops to biscuits, notwithstanding their handiness for packing in the haversack, the Governmont had been forced to return to rations of rice, thus adding considerably to the bulk of stores requiring transport. For carrying impedimenta, 47,000 hand-Avaggons were built. As tents will bo useless for a winter in Manchuria, winter barracks were built m sections, the walls of double flank, the space between them filled with sawdust. Further, the authorities had been called upon to furnish all necessary plant for sinking’ wells, &c., as owing to the fear of poisoned water, the army had to rely entirely upon this method of obtaining the necessary water. In regard to warm clothing for the troops, large orders for blankets had been placed in Europe, but the requisite overcoats were made in Japan.