THE COREAN QUARREL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVI, Issue 2273, 1 August 1894, Page 2

THE COREAN QUARREL.

JAPAN READY FOR WAR. By Telegraph.—Press Association. — Copyright, Hongkonq, July 30. Xu order to prevent the Chinese reinforcements landed on the Peninsula joining the Coreans near Seoul, the Japanese troops attacked them. Nothing is yet known about the result of the fight, except that there Was great slaughter on both sides. During the naval engagement near Round Island three Japanese warships defeated two Chinese. Several transports were severely cut up by their fire. The populace of Yokohama are strongly in favour of fighting. The Japanese Treasury is said to bo amply provided with funds. Foreigners praise the discipline of tho troops. Six other transports escaped when the Kawshung was slink. Tho latter had been taken by the Japanese from a Chinese convoy and ordered to px*oceod to Japan. Captain Goldsworthy refused, whereupon tho Japanese cleared her docks with the fire from their machine guns, and sank her with a torpedo. Tho Chinese fleet is now remaining under shelter;

Troops are being massed at Taku, at the mouth of tho Peiho.

The main body of the Chinese have crossed the Corean frontier. The gunboat captured by tho Japanese is the Thaokiaii.

The Japanese shelled troops at Yusau to prevent the junction with the Coreaas near Seoul. War has hot yet been formally declared, despite the fighting that has occurred, and the two countries continue to negotiate; London, July 30. The Chinese Minister in London has been ordered to hurry on the building of four torpedo-boats. The Daily Telegraph says the Chinese Legation notifies that the sunken transport Kawshung flew the British flag. The Chinese also assert that the vessel was sunk prior to war being declared. European newspapers deny that Japan has any rights under treaty of insisting on reforms in Corea. They hint that the Government hopes by going to war to divert attention from the constitutional crisis in Tokio.

Russian newspapers assert tliat Russia will not permit the Coroans to bo robbed of their independence. It is reported that Japanese warships have destroyed several Chinese steamers of Taku. Received August 1, 0.45 a.m, London, July 31. The Chinese Government lias ordered fifteen thousand tons of tinned beef from America. The Japanese will not interfere with Chinese maritime custom laws in Corea. The Japanese officers on the warship on three occasions offered to save Captain Goldsworthy and the crew of the Chinese transport, and stated they had been ordered to sink the vessel, but the captain declined to surrender. Japan has refused American mediation.