Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-01

patches are being obstructe1 purposely now
amounts 70 conviction. The Monocacy was
at Chemulpo, Corea, with the Baltimore.
and IL Ii supposed that she ran over to
Gagasaki for coal and supplies.
1t Is thought here that the action of
Japan In officially notifying the British gov
eminent Of the existence Of state OF war
between Japan and China was precipitatsd
by the Row Shing incident. Had such a
notice preceded the sinking of the ship
Japan would not have Incurred liability to
Great Britain and been obliged to apologize.
In eject that notice Is equivalent to
declaration OF war, or at least IL imposes
the same obligations upon neutral nations
The United States for instance can sell to
either China or Japan arms and munitions
OF war and supplies. but they must be de-
Hvered at the risk OF the purchaser, and
any vessel carrying them is liable to seiz-
ure. So BY this stroke Japan doubtless has
seriously embarrassed China in her efforts
to supply herself with warlike equipment
In other countries. The conditions are very
similar 70 the Tonquin campaign in 1885,
1870. when. under the name Of 'reprisal5."
actual way was waSe1 on China by France.
Although there was no formal declaration
OF war when the French decreed rice to be
contraband. the United States and all other
nations acqUiesced. and the only protests
came from the British minister to China.
who was reprimanded for it by his own
government.
Effect mt Treaty Ports.
Just-what the effect will be on the Chinese
treaty I'-~ts cannot be fOretold now. Japan
has tas- the ground that they are practi-
caliy foreign settlements. and therefore dis
claimet any intention to interfere with
them. regarding them outside OF the zone
OF hostile operations. China. however. has
perSistently claimed the right. under the
treaties opening the ports, u close them In
time OF war. The treaties themselves
present points at variance, and the whOls
matter. although very important to com
mercial interests. is Shredded n doubt
There are no p.ece Tents quite fitting the
present case AMI e VIII probably call for
the maxim. OF some international law on
the subject unless the war ends speedily.
II is believed here mat China now will
proceed Immediately % close the more I'M
pOrtGDt tT@lty ports. beginning with Shang-
hal perhaps. b. o5strGctins the entrances.
Views the .;apancsr Legation.
An OficilI o: the Japeae legation today
expressed himself as much pleased that his
government had made an official state
ment Of the difficulties which Immediately
p-ece!e1 Lostilities between Japan and
China 1t would show to the world. he be
Heyct. that Japan hal not actel except
On great p-OvOcs ton. AMI then only in
self-de:c1se and 20 prevent the Chinese
from gaining any point OF advantage The
declaration by japan that the threa tened
Chinese advances would De regarded as a
menace By the japanese government. il
was held. constituted = practical though
not formal declaration CT war. All the
acts CT hostility committed, he said. have
taken place since The 2.th of July. the
date Of Jns G!tiiaItum submitted by China
For this reason the opinion Is held at the
legation that the japanese government
cannot De held Responsible for indemnity
for the deaths by drowning of the soldiers
On the transport Kow Shing, because the
latter was dying the British tias.