The news from the Far East this week is a
little more in- telligible, for a special correspondent of the Times has reached Wei-hai-wei, and has been allowed to telegraph. He says the Chinese fleet is at that port on the Gulf of Pechili, and is in perfect fighting trim ; which, if true, is important, for it must not be forgotten that if the Japanese are defeated at sea, they are defeated altogether. Nothing can save their army if it is locked up in Corea without reinforcements and with- out supplies. There is, however, no confirmation of this state- ment; while it is asserted, on the other hand, that the Chinese soldiers are perishing in large numbers from want of things to eat. That is exactly what would happen to an invading army of Chinese ; but then we do not know that it matters much, except as increasing the ghastly character of the war. It is the camp-followers who die of hunger, not the soldiers, who are provided for by rations, while the rest are left to eat what they can. On the whole, we should say that the Chinese fleet is waiting for winter, and that the Chinese army is advancing slowly towards the Japanese, with hideous loss of coolie lives, but no diminution of fighting strength. Actual battle will not be yet. A rather ridiculous Treaty between Japan and Corea, signed on August 26th, has been telegraphed from Tokio. Under it Japan engages to respect Careen inde- pendence, and Corea engages to give every facility to Japanese troops while fighting against China; which, as the Coreans are entirely pro-Chinese, is, you will perceive, a clear proof of independence. A little truth would be convenient, but until something decisive occurs—and it can hardly occur yet—we shall not get any.
