The Japanese are hammering away at Port Arthur, but they
have not carried the place yet. According to the latest accounts, they are on the Kinchou side within two miles of the arsenal, and their fleet has been pounding away at the Chinese ironclads in the harbour ; but they are not so near on the other side, and no defeat of the Chinese vessels is reported. The Chinese are evidently fighting as they have not yet fought, and it is not likely that the Mandarins can have stolen or sold all the munitions collected in the great storehouse. Negotiations will, of course, depend upon the fate of Port Arthur; but the Chinese have at last con- salted Sir Robert Hart ; he has advised a direct appeal to Tokio, and his second in command of the Customs, Herr Detring, has gone there with full powers. The offer to be made is said to be the independence of Corea, £20,000,000, and the actual expenses incurred by Japan ; but the Mikado's advisers will want more than that. They will seek some guarantee against a revanche.
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