NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE clouds are still thick over Corea. During the week there have been plenty of rumours, but very little authentic news. For example, it was declared at the beginning of the week that the Chinese troops, originally intrenched at Assan, south of Seoul, by moving in a north-easterly direction had eluded the Japanese army and had effected a junction with another Chinese army coming from the north, and that this combined force had beaten the Japanese at a place north of Seoul, leaving the road open to the capital. These rumours have not been confirmed, however, and the story of a Japanese defeat has been specially denied by the Japanese. The pre- dictions that a decisive battle would shortly be fought have also remained unfulfilled. Almost the only items of news that can be depended on are those which relate to the activity of the Chinese in protecting their northern ports by booms, tor- pedoes, &c., and to the raising of an internal loan by Japan. It is said that the Japanese nobles have placed a very large sum at the disposal of the Government as a loan -without interest. A Shanghai telegram published on Friday says that Japan will not follow the example of France in treating rice as contraband of war,—a piece of news which will interest the professors of International law. It should also be noted that our Government is enforcing the Foreign Enlistment Act with vigour. A torpedo-boat catcher has been arrested in the Tyne, and another vessel, believed to be intended for warlike purposes, in the Thames. The Ministry are deter- mined not to repeat the Alabama blunder.
