The record-union., 1898-05-01

ago, thus closing the port of Chemulpo.
Japan gave notice to-day, thus closing
all japanese ports, including Yokohama,
winch is the most advantageous harbor
In Asiatic waters, and nearer the Philip
pines than any other port. The British
ana french DEGREES closed Hongkong
ana ports of British India and French
Ionquin. When WI Ting Fang was
seen at the Chinese Legation tonight
ne said, that having received no notice
OF China's neutrality, he presumed none
had been issued by the Imperial Gov
eminent. At the same time he had
noticed press dispatches that the Amer
lean fleet left Mrs Bay, which is a
chinese possession, owing to a condi-
ton of neutrality.
The Minister believed this condition,
II made, was given by the Viceroy, and
applies only to the Province of Canton.
AS to whether the Emperor will decree
neutrality he is not able to say. 1t is
| remembered, however, that no decree
| of neutrality was issued during the
Franco-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 in touch
with the methods of international pro-
cedure, this former inaction may give
way to the adoption of an attitude of
neutrality. This would have been done
during the Franco Prussian war had
not President Grant used his good Of
fees to bring about an arrangement by
which French and German ships at
Asiatic ports refrafned from hostilities
while there.
while China entertains the most
friendly feeling towards the United
States, Mr.. WI feels that this would
not justify the Withholding of neutrality
If 1t in any way redounded to the ad-
vantage of the United States as against
Spain, as that would array Spain
against China
China has 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 advantage
Gus as a harbor for the American fleet
IN case one was required in the Far
/ East. 1t is said, however that even
without 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 and supplies as would
take the American fleet to the next
port.
| The authorities feel that the United
States would have profited much by Sc
curing coaling station from China
| during the recent controversy which led
to Germany securing Kiao Chau Bay rs
a coaling station, Russia securing Port
Arthur and England securing Wei-Hai-
| Wei. There is good reason to believe
that the friendly spirit of China toward
the United States would have made it
possible for the United States to have
|
other advantageous point on the Chi
nese coast. At the present time, how
ever, it is said that China could not vol
unfairly grant such a concession with
! out assuming a distinctly hostile atti-
tude toward Spain. 1t is possible that
China's neutrality decree may be issued
any day, and yet the delay is in no way
exciting the authorities here, owing TO
the feeling that it leaves China's ports
open to Commodore Dewey's fleet.
The Portuguese Minister called at the
State Department to-day and gave Off
cial notice of Portugals neutrality.
Afterward the Minister expressed re-
greet at the published report attributing
delay to Portugals disposition to favor
Spain as against the United States
The Minister says that such reports are
unwarranted, and the official dispatch,
which he received from Lisbon last
| night, shows that the authorities at
Lisbon acted with promptness. The
dispatch stated that the notice of a de-
| claration of war was received at Lis
bon on the 26th, whereupon a meeting
of the Council of State was called i'm
mediately for the following day. This
| is not the regular Cabinet, but is a
political organization which must be
convoked of distinguished persons seat
ed. The Council met on the 9th and
agreed upon the decree. 1t was pre-
scented to the King on the 2Sth, and re-
ceived his signature. The Minister
says this action shows unusual dis
patch. The dispatch he received from
Lisbon stated that the warships of the
belligerent powers would not be allowed
to make more than a brief stay in the
ports OF Portugal. AS to the return of
several of the Spanish torpedo-boats to
the Cape Verde Islands because of in
jury from the collision, the Minister
says such injuries, if bona fide, permit
warships to remain long enough to re-
pair damages. This cannot be made an
excuse for an extended stay. however.
| The War Department has assigned
the officers who are to perform the
duties of Quartermaster and Commits
sary of the volunteer troops at the
various State rendezvous prior to their
mobilization at the central points. In
number of States the officers are the
same as those detailed for mastering
duty. In the following States indie
pendent officers for the Quartermaster
and Commissary duties are appointed