LITEST CABLE NEWS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4911, 27 December 1894, Page 3

LITEST CABLE NEWS.

[ United Press Association] _ (2fy j Electric HMegMpi.^-Copyigit.) The Gorean War (Eeceived Dec. 27,0.40 a.m.) New York, December 26. Tho Herald correspondent wires that a third Japanese army has occupied Saho in view of menacing Weihaiwei.. (Received Dec. 26, 10.10 a.m.) Shanghai, December 26. The Japanese casualties atHaitchang were 420. The Tonghaks have captured tho town of Haiguand expelled tho Governor. They continued the advance and burnt two other towns. Japan is placing many of her orders with Germany over England, especially in tinned goods. London, Dec. 26, The Times Hong Kong correspondent predicts a coal famino in China, and suggests that Australia should renew shipments of coal to China ports. (Received Dec, 25, 1 a.m.) Shanghai, Decembor 24. Tho garrisor. at Shangbaikwang tortured and killed two thousand officers nnd soldiers, who had escaped from Port Arthur, It was urged that this was in punishment for their cowardice. The battle of Haitcbangwas characterised by tho fiercest and hottest fighting that Has taken place during the campaign.

Capture of Port Arthur. Full Particulars oj the hctory (Received Deo. 27, 10.50 n.m) Thursday Island, Dec. 27, Chinese files by the mail steamer, ahow that at the capture of Port Arthur the fighting was of a most sanguinary character, and all through it was a dangerous and exciting business. The Japanese effected a landing with a surprisingly small loss, and owing to the stupor of the Chinese, wore soon withiu the fortifications. A series of desperate hand to hand encounters took place, with a couple of thousand of Li Hung Chang's Boldiors, who stood to their postß manfully, although their officers deserted shamefully, Upon entering the town the first thing that met the eyes of the Japanese was a number of Coreuns and others of their men who had been captured by the Chinese before the attack began, lying headless in the streets, their bodies being horribly mutilated. This sight soemugedl the Japanese that no restraint was exercised towards tlio- enemy, and littlo quarter was given, most of the Chinese being killed or seriously wounded in the terrible battle which followed. This accounts for the heavy loss among the Chinese, whoso cruelty to their foes was thus terribly punished. A large number of junks which were filled with Chinese oflicois and soldiers were torpedoed by the Japaneso boats and damaged to a great extent. . Tho Chinese losses will nover be known.

' The garrison in Port Arthur consisted of at least 20,000 Chinese, soldiers, with seven generals, who who charged by special degree from the Government to hold the forts at peril of their lives, and in the event of their being unable to cany out their instructions, they had distinct order's to blow up their forts, magazines, arsenals and workshops, and destroy tho docks rather than let them fall into the hands of the enemy. Long range firing began on November 20th, and as long as the Japanese guns did not succeed in working much havoc, tho Chinese made a show to fight, but when the whole line of warships began to reduce the radius of tho investing circle, the dofenders of the otftor forts lost heart,

Bcforo the first fort fell, six generals and civil officials contrived to escape in junks. The garrison to the north-west accompanied them. The junks were waiting a milo or two from tho port to the north with all their valuables on board, and as soon as they recognised that the enemy wore in earnest they mado off.

About 14,000 troops bolted during the night of the 20th. Tho retreating troops committed torriblo atrocities, men, women, and children being murdered and outraged wholesale, pillage, slaughter, and loot being apparently their chiof thought,