The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-01

Washington, April 3O.-An interests
today was concentrated on the Philip
pines, though it seemed almost hopeless
to expect any news from that point,
which is, for the present, at least, the
critical point of naval operations.
Indeed. one high official, well versed
in the plans OF the strategic board, de-
clared that upon the result of the en-
gaSement which Commodore Dewey Is
expected to have had with the Spanish
feet today or within day or two, at
least, might depend, 10 an extent, the
Outcome Oe the war.
When Secretary Long left the navy
department he had received no word
from Commodore Dewey, nor from any
ljc--ct - the east.
The Chinese minister, Mr.. WI Ting
Fang, called at the state department
today, and had a talk with officials
concerning the war situation He did
not bring a notice of China'S neutral
ity, nor has he received word thus far
from his government that China viii
declare her neutrality. The authorities
here would not be displeased if China
Withheld her decree a month longer, as
such a course might be of distinct adj
vantage TO the United States, in case
Commodore Dewey's fleet fails to ef-
feet landing on the Philippines, and
it is Obliged to seek some open port.
With an American fleet in Asiatic wat
ers. it becomes hazardous, unless bel
hgersnt is captured, or neutral port
cemai--s open.
Up 70 today all countries occupying
eastern Asiatic territory had declared
neutrality except China The notice of
Korea was given two days ago, thus
closing the port OF Chemuipe- Japan
gave notice today thrs closing all jap
wl:Ich is the most advantageous harbor
in Asiatic waters, and nearer the Phil
iDDines than any other port.
Ihe British and French DEGREES closes
Hong Kong and ports OF British India
and French TOnquin-
CHINA IS FRIENDLY.
When Bar WI Tung Fang was seen
at the Chinese legation tonight, he said
that having received no notice OF
ChiEa.'S neutrality, he presumed none
had been issued by the imperial gov
eminent. 81 the same time he had no.
ticGd, b. press dispatches, that the
American .ieet left Mrs Bay, which is
a Chinese posse ssiOn, owing to a cOn-
ditiOn OF neutrality. The minister sayS
this condition, if made. was through
the viceroy, and applies only TO tbs
province of Canton. As 20 whether the
emperor vii. decree neutrality he is
ever, that no decree OF neutrality was
issued during the t'ranco-Prussian war
and that China has not been in the
habit Of issuing neutrality DEGREES on
the outbreak OF wars in other parts of
the world. Now, however, that China
is keeping III touch with the methods
OF International procedure, this former
inaction may give way to the adoption
Of an attitude of neutrality. This
would have been done during tina
Franco-Prussian war had not Presi-
dent Grant used his good offices TO
bring about an arrangements by which
French and German ships at Asiatic
ports refrained from hostihdes while
there.
While China entertains the most
friendly feeling towards the United
States, Mr. WI Ting Fang feels that
this would not justify the withholding
OF neutrality. if it in any way operated
to the advantage of the United States
as against Spain. as that would array
Spain against China.
FINE HARBORS.
China has a large number of treaty
ports with fine harbOrs scattered along
her coast. They are well equipped with
coal and other supplies, and any one OF
them would be most advantageous as
a harbOr for the American fleet in case
It is said, however, that even without
a neutrality decree by China these
harbors could not be used as a naval
base of operations. At most they could
be used only for temporary refuge, and
for such coal supplies as would take
the American fleet to the next port
The authorities feel that the United
States would have pTOfiJed much by Sc
curing a ooaiing station from China
during the recent controversies which
led to Germany's Selling Kiao-Chou bay
as a coaling station: Russia securing
Port Arthur and England securing Wei
Hai Wei There is good reason to be-
lieve that the friendly spirit of China
toward the United States would have
made it possible for the United States
TO have secured the harbor of Mrs bay
or some other advantageous port on the
Chinese coast At the present time,
however. it is said that China could not
voluntarily grant. without assuming a
distinctly hostile attitude towards
Spain. any port on her coast
O65n7ORF nEWFY'S PLANS