New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-18
JAPAN THREATENS CHINA
NAY SEIZE THE 4SKOLD.
Reasons for RyeshiteInIs CAPTURE
america Vii Not Interfere.

1mer7ca WM Not Interfere.
| Washington. Aug. 11.-Mr Takahira, the Jap
anese Minister. to-day received long comnu-
nication from his home government setting
forth It's views the right Of Russian
ships take refuge in Chinese ports. 1t is be-
| lieved 10 he identical with other notes submit
| ted 10 the European chancellories. and is EVIL
IDENTIFY an indication of the Japanese purpose
to make a defence. In advance, for drastic &C
ton which il proposes to take regarding these
| Russian ships.
The officials here freely admit that the prop
| lem presented In the japanese demand that
Russian ships shall not be harbored by China
is most intricate and perplexing one, and there
are presidents all sides OF the case. AS late
as the Spanish war the American scouts ana
gunboats made frequent use of the neutral ports
in the West Indies. notably Danish and British
ports, to communicate by cable with the nome
government and with sections of the American
fleet but there was charge that neutrality
had been violated
The Japanese contention made in this last
note is that Chinese neutrality has been VIC
lated at Che-Foo through the war by Russian
gunboats and junks which repeatedly passed be-
tween that port and Port Arthur with war mes
sages. The japanese are understood to protest
against the making of repairs TO the Russian
ships in Chinese harbors, yet in the Spanish
the United States steamship st. Paul spent
nearly a week In a French West Indian port
repairing, and no charge OF violation OF neutral
ity followed.
The japanese also understood in this note
TO object to being deprived OF their lawful prey
by the dismantiing of Russian ships in Chinese
harbors and cleo In the German harbor OF
Tsing-Chau but in the Spanish war the Brit
ish government held an American torpedo boat
the Sorners. in asylum throughout the war IT
is pointed out however, that the ability OF the
American navy to obtain such privileges in the
Spanish war by no means constitutes positive
assertion OF the right OF the neutral nations TO
accord them.
IT may be stated positively that this govern
rnent looks upon the issue presented by Japan
as one distinctly between that country and
China. and therefore II VIII not interfere in the
settlement.
London Aug 1.-THE Associated Press
learned this afternoon that Japan has made a
demand on China. practically in the nature OF
an ultmatun1, that she Immediately enforce her
neutrality In the OF the protected cruiser
AskoId and the destroyer Grosovoi. now at
Shanghai. Japan pointed out that the time
limit, twenty-four hours, permitted by interna-
tional law. had expired and that Japan there
fore was at liberty to take such action as may
seem to her eKpedient.
At the Japanese Legation here it was ex-
pressly stated that the Toxic government had
no intention OF remaining quiescent If Russia
attempted to compel China 10 give asylum to her
men-of-war and authorize repairs at her ports
which would enable them 10 resume belligerent
operations.
Should China fail to comply immeda tely with
Japan's demand, the division of japanese war
ships now in the vicinity of Shanghai will, the
legation declares, be instructed to enter the
port and capture the Askold and the Grosovoi,
as was done in the case OF the Ryeshitelni.
Japan has made no secret OF her intention.
bat has not consulted the powers believing that
the matter is one which concerns herself alone.
Japan is prepared the legation further asserts.
10 recognize Chinese neutrality only long as
# Is respected by Russia
With regard TO the Ryeshitelni. Japan, II is
asserted, is determined not to comply with the
Chirese demand. submitted in compliance with
the Russian note, that the vessel be returned 10
Che-Foo. Japan insists that to all intents and
purposes Che-Foo has been Russian base dur
ing the war Chinese junks having been fitted
out there and sent through the Japanese block
aiding vessels TO Port Arthur
No answer has yet been given by Japan 70
the Russian protest in the OF the Ryeshi
telni, but when it is made It will be communi
Gated to all the powers
ST. Petersburg. August 1I-China has replied
to RusSis's representations regarding the Rye
shitelni. but her reply is couched in general
terms. processing friendship and desire TO pre-
serve the strictest neutrality. II expresses dis
approval OF Admiral Sah's inability to protect
the Ryeshitelni and represents that he took all
the precautions possible. but could not prevent
the night attack.
The reply also says that one OF the japanese
destroyers was overnauled she leaving
the harbor, and That protest lodged
against her action In view OF which the Japan
captain promised to return. but did not do
go The reply does not say that the Ryeshi-
tens restitution was demanded.
Chinas reply Il considered unsatisfactory by
Russia The main question of what China has