THE CHINA-JAPANESE WAR.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1201, 8 March 1895, Page 37

THE CHINA-JAPANESE WAR.

Shanghaj, February 28. Prince 3?ung has been interviewed in Pekin. He admitted that the war has been mismanaged, and laid the blame on some of the highest officials, who. were incompetent, China, he s<*id, was awake to her weakness, Yet if Japan’s terms for peace were exorbitant, she would fight to the end. It was impossible that Heaven would allow Japan inordinate success, The Chinese in the vicinity of Haicheng have been reinforced by thirty - four thousand men, Shanghai, February 28. The Japanese are organising for the march to Pekin. They have evacuated the advanced posh tions near Wei-hai-wei. Shanghai, March 2, The villagers in the vicinity of Chefoo are killing their women and children by choking them, and afterwards committing suicide. The cause of this is attributed to fear that they will fall into the hands of the Japanese, and be subjected to torture. Shanghai, March 4. The Japanese have occupied the district in Manchuria as far as Tape-kou.

They are steadily advancing on Newchwang. They have had frequent fights with the Chinese, but suffered only trivial loss. Three Japanese cruisers engaged forts at Teuchayo for a time, and then retired, for what object is not known. The peace negotiations are progressing favourably. THE CAPTURE OF THE WEI-HAI-WEI

DEFENCES

The attack of the Japanese on the positions at Wei-hai-wei was brilliant. They captured or sank the whole of the Chinese northern fleet. During the night of February 4th, the Japanese cleared Wei-hai-wei Harbour of all the torpedoes and submarine mines by the skilful use of small torpedo boats and steam launches from the warships, which grappled for and cut wires connecting the submarine mines with the shores. The fleet of Japanese torpedo boats made a splendid dash for the harbour, and attacked the Chinese fleet with such success and skill that the battleship Ting Yuen was sunk. The tactics were repeated during the night of February sth. The Chen Yuen and other Chinese warships were blown up, and the remainder of the Chinese fleet captured. Following this splendid success the Japanese completed the capture of Wei-hai-wei on February 7th, by landing a large force and seizing the Island of Lien Kung Tao, which had made a gallent defence against the heavy fire. Another despatch says that as the Japanese desired to attack the western forts and those distant two miles along the shores, which were covered by the Chinese fleet, the advance guard was compelled to make a toilsome march on Friday during a snow storm. The march was made by a circuitous route. Eventually the Chinese were met in Chefoo road, west of Wei-ha* wei. Severe fighting took and the Chinese were defeated and fled to Chefoo.