The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-02-25
OUR CONSUL BARRED
The Russian Bear Takes Chances
With the United States.

With the United States.
Washington, Special.-Secretary Hay
has been informed that Edwin '. MOI
gan will not be granted an cXeqEetur
bv the Russian government. authorl2.
ing him to act as United States consul
at Dalny. Mr.. Morgan is now On ms
way from Washington to his post he
will sail from San Francisco anu
touch at Yokohama, at which point TIE
State Department will be able TO al
wise him month hence what course 10
pursue. This decision on the part o.
the Russian government was not a!to-
getner unexpected. but 1t Is ncVeIthe-
less the subject Of grave consideration
by the state Department o.hciais. II
can be stated that up TO th!S moiheA'
a decision has not been reacnea as 10
the answer to lie made to the Russian
government. 1t is explained taat the
reason for RuSia's action Is purely
military: the army Officers desiI4Is
that there shall be no foreign olhciaiS
on the Lao Turg Peninsula during
the progress Of hostilities. 1t IS also
suggested that as the United states
consul would be charged with the re-
sponsibi!ity for the protection cl the
Japanese there would be many cnahces
for severe friction, which It Is very
desirable to avoid.
The announcement is made that the
decision in Mr.. MOrgan's case does not
apply to the newly-appointed United
States consuls at Mukden and Antuns:
These consulates are in Manchuria ana
the state Department, taxing lhe
ground that the province is part oi
China. would apply to the Chinese gov
erpment for exequatrrs for these con-
suis. not recognizing the right OF any
other power 10 intervene.
St. Petersburg. BY Cable.-The gov
ernment report Of the naval action on
Chemulpo, Korea (Feb. 81 says tne
Russian cruisers Variag and korietz
sank a Japanese cruiser and torpedo
boat destroyer and crippled another
vessel before returning 70 the harpor.
The government received from the
officers OF the Variag and korietz, VINO
are now at Shanghai, their account OF
the fight at Chemulpo. The account
shows the admirable handling OF the
two Russian warships in theface OF
overwhelming odds. The officers con-
firm the statements that when the
.Japanese squadron OF eight warships
appeared of Chemulpo they were met
by small torpedo gun-boats, ana lhe
Kcrietz which had been sent out 10
reconnoiter: that the korieu, on
sighting the japanese squadron. lmme-
diately returned 10 the harbor ana re-
ioined the Variag. and that the Japan
csc followed to the mouth CT the mar,
Dor and sent the Russians a peremp-
tory summons TO surrender. This mes'
sage the officers add. was disregarded,
whereupon the Japanese threatened 10
enter the harbor and engage the Rus-
slams there. AS this would have en-
dangered the other vessels in the mar
bor including the French ana otner
foreign warships, Capt. Roundenf. OF
the Variag. as senior officer. boldi!
gave orders that both vessels steam out
and meet the enemy. The fight out
side between the Variag and the NOT
ietz and the eight Japanese warships
resulted, according OF the officers re-
mort. in the sinking OF two japanese
warships. one cruiser and one torpeuo
boat destroyer and the Gripping OF an
other. The Russian ships were repeat
edly struck but they succeeded IN re-
entering the harbor. where the cap
tains decided TO blow up their ships 10
prevent them from falling into the
hands of the enemy. The survivors o.
the crews were taken off. and the two
warships were set on fire. The Aus-
SLAMS also blew up a small steamer, the
Sungari. which was acting as tenaef
to the Variag.
Toxic, BY Cable-The response or
Japan to the request of China LOT
statement Of it's position in regard 10
the neutrality of the latter country was
made public Friday. 1t says Japan Will
respect the neutrality of China so loEe
as Russia does the same. and that the
rausoleums and palaces at Mukdeh
and Hsing and Kiang and other pup,
lie buildings IN China everywhere Will
he secure from any injury not at
tributable to the action Of Russia.
Furthermore. the rights of Chinese
officials and inhabitants within the
zone OF military operations WILL II
their persons and property, be fully re.
spected and protected by the 1mperlai
forces. so far as military necessity per-
1aits. The imperial government has no
intention to acquire territory at the
expense of China as result OF the
conflict.