The San Francisco call., 1904-08-19
Japan Not Likely to At
tempt Seizures in Har-
Dor of Shanghai.
Russia Is Reconciled to the
Disarmament of the
Cruiser AskOld.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1S.-The fact
that Shanghai is what is popularity
known as an international port in all
probabilities will prevent the Japanese
conducting any offensive naval oper-
ations against the Russian ships now
there In ports of this character
number of nations have certain we'll
defined rights, granted to them by the
Government of the country in which
the port is located. The natural ex-
pectation, therefore, is that every ef
fort viii be made to preserve the neu
trality of Shanghai and prevent any
active steps by Japan toward captur-
ing vessels now there.
ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 19.-The
general impression in diplomatic
circles here is that Japan will yet
change her mind and surrender the
kyeshitelni to the care of some neutral
power reserving all rights. Such
course, 1t is pointed out, would
strengthen Japan's position and at the
same time avoid the possibility of COM
plications affecting China's neutrality
and the limitation of the area Of hos
tlities, which was prompted by Secre-
tary Hays note.
The question of the disarmament of
the Russian ships at Shanghai is, it is
understood, being settled on the spot
by the Toatai and the Consul General
of Russia This matter is not expected
here to lead. to the extreme measures
threatened at Toxic, in view of the
statement that Russia was reconciled
to the disarmament of the cruiser
Askold and the destroyer Grozovol
SHANGHAI, Aug. 1S.-Upon the
recommendation of the chief of the
customs the Taotai of Shanghai will
allow the Russian cruiser Askold and
the Russian torpedo-boat destroyer
Grozovoi to remain in port until August
23 when one days notice to leave or
disarm will be given them. The arrival
here of Chinese men of war is expected.
Odagiri, the Japanese Consul Gen
eral has notified the Taotai that a Jap
anese fleet is coming in to seize the
Askold and the Grozovoi. The chief
engineer of the Customs Department
reports that the Russian vessels are not
seaworthy.
The repairs being made by the Rus
slams on the Grozovoi will be completed
in about ten days 1t is uncertain when
the repairs to the Askold will be fin
ished.
There is no uneasiness here, although
the situation is thought to be acute.
preserve the neutrality of the port.
LONDON, Aug. 1S.-Beyond repre-
senting to China the Importance of pre-
serving the neutrality of her territory,
Great Britain has taken no action in
regard to the Russian cruiser Askold
and the torpedo boat destroyer Grozo-
vol, now at Shanghai. The question
of the disposition of these ships is
looked upon as peculiarly a matter
which concerns Japan, Russia and
China. Sympathy is felt for the efforts
of Japan to prevent the two vessels
again participating in the war. If Rus
sia maintain her purpose to dismantle
them it is expected that Japanese
naval officers will be permitted to eX-
anime the vessels and assure them
selves that they are really disarmed
and dismantled, as was done at Tsing-
chou in the case Of the Russian battle
ship Cesarevitch and the three torpedo
boat destroyers there.
TOXIC, Aug. 1S.-It is not probable
that japanese vessels will enter Shang-
hal to seize the Russian warships there.
Japan always has taken the ground
that Shanghai is an international port,
and during her war with China she re-
Trained from attacking it. Japan relies
upon the Chinese Government to dis
arm the cruiser Askold and the de-
stroyer Grozovoi, but there is no doubt
she will blockade the mouth of the
Yangtse River to prevent the escape of
the Russian vessels.