THE CHINA-JAPANESE WAR.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 32

THE CHINA-JAPANESE WAR.

London, February 13. Conflicting reports have been received as to the actual state of affairs at Wei-hai-wei. An official statement published at Yokohama represents the forts on the island of Typis as being silenced, two ironclads and two cruisers sunk, and 13 torpedo boats captured or destroyed; but it is added that the remaining Chinese warships and some forts still resist the Japanese. News has been received that Admiral Ting sent a flag of truce to the Japanese Admiral before the storming of Liu-kung-tan, offering to surrender on condition that the lives of the Chinese and * foreigners were guaranteed. ■" London, February 14. The Tientsin correspondent of the Standard telegraphs that Li Hung Chang, with Prince Kung or Sir Robert Hart, will act as peace envoys for China. Shanghai, February 13. Members of the Red Cross Order are assisting the injured Chinese, and their aid has prevented large numbers from dying on the roadside. Japan now threatens only to conduct peace negotiations in Pekin, and hints that the terms imposed will be much harsher, owing to China's refusal to continue negotiations. Shanghai, February 14. The Japanese granted Admiral Ting's terms, and the officers and men will receive the honours of war. The prisoners delare that seven foreigners, of whom five are Englishmen, are "on Liu-kung-tan Island, in Wei-hai-wei Harbour. They have five months' provisions and plenty of coal, but are short of ammunition., i The Chinese are fortifying Foochow.

p J_ ■ . - Shanghai, February 15. A rumour has reached here that the commander of Wei-hai-wei and Admiral Ting j have committed suicide. The statement . lacks confirmation. I Li Hung Chang's yellow jacket, peacock i feathers and all his honours, were returned ' to him before he left for Japan as one of ! the Chinese Envoys to treat for peace. Shanghai, February 16. The Japanese are trying to raise the ■warships sunk in the fight off Yalu River. Shanghai, February 17. [ Li Hung Chang and Prince Kung, the representatives of China in the negotiations for peace, meet the Japanese Envoys at Port Arthur. It is reported that Britain and Russia have offered to mediate between the belligerents. Inspired reports state that Russia, being desirous of seeing the end of the war, agreed that the Powers should intervene in sparing" China from total prostration, and preventing further conquests by Japan. The same report declares that the Czar will not sanction the independence of Corea. • , Fearing the outbreak of riots, the Foreign Ministers in Pekin have been ordered to specially guard the Legations. The foreigners in Wei-hai-wei were permitted to leave unmolested. Shanghai. February 18.

The news of the suicide of Admiral Ting and two other high Chinese officers is confirmed. Fifteen thousand Chinese attacked Haiching, and were repulsed with the loss of 100 men.

The remainder of the forts and ships at Wei-hai-wei are reported to have surrendered on the 13th.

The Japanese shell fire at Haiching prevented the Chinese from coming to close quarters. The Emperor of China has condemned to death all the military and civil officers at Wei-hai-wei, and has authorised the Governor of Shantung to behead them without consulting the Emperor.