THE WAR IN THE EAST.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 6062, 22 September 1894, Page 2

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

■ «j> PlB EIiBOXBIO Tb__Bßß___.H— Coftbiqht. (PBBPBBSi Aflßooli_nO_f.) Received 11.10 a.m., September 21st. Shanghai, September 20. 1 The Chinese transport Toonang was c mnk by the Japanese. ' The Chinese fleet was convoying seven t ranßports when the enemy came upon . hem. The Chen Yuen fought two large « iruisers. • Telegrams from Yokahama claim a i rictory for the Japanese, and deny the . oss of a single ship, though the Matsu- ] lima and Yoshina, along with a large _ rausporfc ship, were badly damaged. £ The Japanese admit losing heavily in ' ( tilled and wounded. ji Tho general opinion ia that the encoun* : t

ter was indecisive. The Chinese had a larger fleet, but were out-manoeuvred. Another report states that the Chen Yuou ia still afloat, but there appears no doubt that the Chen Yuen, King Yuen, Tshao Yung, and Yang Wei, were lost. The Chinese claim to have sunk the Aboshima and Yushina, also a transport vessel and the cruiser Saikio. Private reports however state that these vessels are afloat but hopelessly damaged. It is officially stated m Yokohama that m the Ping Yuug fight the Chinese had 2000 killed and 14,500 wounded and taken prisoners. It is estimated that one-fourth of the Chinese m camp effected their escape. The Japanese had 33 killed and 269 wounded. The Japanese hope to reach Monkden early m October, but there will probably be some fighting near Yaru before then. Beoeived 12.45 am. September 22nd. September 21. The Chinese report that they fought m single and the Japanese m double column. Both fleets were under easy Bteam. A shell burat m the Chen . Yuen's battery with horrible effect. All the Chen Yuen's big guns were disabled after an hour and a half. The Japanese frequently failed to break the Chinese line, and their torpe* dos were intercepted by nets. A shell set fire to the Chen Yuen and it sank when a mass of flame. Tho unfortunate crew were cooped up below and perished with the. ship. The Chinese torpedo boats were little used. After the fight had raged for threo hours the scenes on board the Bhips were appalling. Decks and turrets were choked with dead and dying, and the big guns were disabled on both Bides. The fight was maintained with lighter cannon and machine guns. The Bhips laboured heavily and all were using their pumps m order to keep afloat. One or two of the Chinese vessels exhausted their ammunition. Both fiides fought with great ferocity. The Japanese manoeuvred constantly, but the Chinese remained stationary. It was imposiible to help the crewa of the sinking vessels aa the guns m the tops, which were aimed at the torpedo boats, were sweeping the whole area of battle. The Japanese allege that they only lost one hundred men. St. Petbksbubg, September 21.' Russian papers warn Japan that she will not be allowed any part of Corea. It is reported that .England, Germany and Russia are parleying to intervene and atop tbe war.