Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-08-26

state by HANDING THIS matter over 10 Ing
consuls Tor adjustment.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 22-The dis
patches saying Iuat energetic action had
ueen taken by the American warSnlps at
Shanghai 10 protect the neutrality OF
CHINA has aroused the hyelest satlsfac-
ton IN Official and unofficial circles here.
The protected cruiser Askold and the tor
pedO boat destroyer GroZoyoi Will be ulS-
armed. The admiralty realizes that 1t
would be folly TO SEMI the ships out to
face the japanese squadron in the orting
and as announced III these dispatches
last week mad already decided that the
ships shall De dlsarnled.
Shanghai, Aug. 22.-The meeting of
the foreign consuls here today resulted
III the preparation of statement of the
esta blisneu facts regarding the Russian
warships Askold and Grozoyoi The
Russian authorities show u Discrimination
TO reconsider their refusal TO comply with
China demand that the two ships leave
Shanghai or disarm.
Washington d. c. Aug 22-Consul
General Goodnow cabled the state de-
partment today from Shanghai telling Of
the appearance of the japanese vessel i'll
the harbor there. He made no mention
~
torpedo boat. The cablegram referred TO
the valuable American property on the
docks near where the Russian cruiser is,
and also said that the Russian consul
general had refused to disarm the As
kold.
1t is asserted positively at the navy
department that the American fleet at
Shanghai is not charged with the protec-
ton of Chinese neutrality by any special
Instructions The officials here are con-
WINGED that the japanese have no inten-
ton of violating Chinese neutrality and
furthermore than they would not leopard
ize the immensely valuable foreign inter
| ests in Shanghai by making the harbor Il
naval battle-ground. No instructions have
been sent to Admiral Stirling to interfere
with the action of japanese vessels.
Shanghai, Aug. 22.-Rear Admiral
! Stirling says that the trip of the Ameri-
can torpedo boat destroyer Chauncey
| from Woo Sung to Shanghai yesterday
was to carry dispatches. Her movements
had no connection with the arrival of
| the japanese torpedo boat destroyer.
Shanghai. Aug. pa long meeting of
the consular body was held today for the
purpose of discussing the case of the
| Russian cruiser Askold and the destroyer
Grozovoi. which put into this port oil
| August L.
No decision was reached, but it is be
| leyed that the final action will be the
same as that taken i'll the case of the
Russian gunboat Mandjur, which put
into this port and which was compelled
to dismantle on March 81.
| The consular body Will meet again this
| afternoon.
| The Japanese torpedo boat destroyer
which entered the harbor yesterday has
left the 'harbor with dispatches for the
! feet.
Russians Given More Time.
The taotai has by order of the Wal
| Wcu pou (ministry of foreign affairs
again taken hand in the affairs and
| has issued another extension of time to
| the Russian vessels, which have been OIL
! dcred now to leave at noon Tuesday. At
| low tides the Askoid could not get over
| the bar this week. Therefore repairs
| must cease.
The American men-of-war in the har-
| Dor. while retaining the outward appear
ance of inaction. have for several days
| been practically cleared for action with
/ gun sights in position and steam up.
Rear Admiral Sterling is determined
| that the japanese shall not interfere with
the Russian vessels. He has. it is re-
| ported. offered to escort the AskOld and
CIrozoyoi beyond the threemile limit.
expected to return to the harbor tonight.
Thwarted by Americans.
Shanghai. Aug. 22.-A Japanese de-
| stroyer. with decks cleared for action. EN-
tered the river here yesterday afternoon
and anchored off the dock where the Rus
sian cruiser Askold is undergoing repairs.
| The United States destroyer Chauncey
at once took a position between the Japa-
nese and Russian warships.
The United States monitor Monadnock
and two torpedo boat destroyers have
been ordered to be ready to protect the
neutrality Of Shanghai.
| 4 Japanese squadron. consisting of a
| battleShip and two cruisers, is approach
ing and is now few miles off Woosung.
| the outside port OF Shanghai.
/. Russians Refuse to Disarm
The Russian consul general here fatty
refuses to diSarm the AskOld and the Rus
sian torpedo boat destroyer GroZovoi or
to order them to leave the harbor.
The taotai has notified American Con
sui Goodnow. who IS dean of the consular
body. that China cannot protect the for
| eicn settlements. He contends that Rus
STA ignores the orders issued by China
and that China has not the means of
making her obey them.
Consul Goodnow has called a meeting
of the consular body TO take Joint action
for the protection of foreign inhabitants
The consuis VIII meet today. 1t is be-
lieved they will then arrange means to
strengthen the hands Of the taotai in
dealing with the matter OF the Russian
| warshps here.
American Property Menaced.
The Askold has locked adjacent TO the
| warehouses here of the Standard Oil com
pany. which are valued at over $100. 600
The Standard Oil company has demand
| sui GOodnOw.
The dock where the Askoid lies is
own by British interests. One one side
of this dock is German and Dutch DroD-
erty and Oh the other side American
property.
| There are eight American. one Ger
man. two British and four French war
ships here At present there are no Chi
nese men-of-war in this port. but the
taotai has teiegraphed that a Chinese
cruiser be sent Immediately.
Excitement at Shanghai.
The events of yesterday afternoon and
evening threw Shanghai into a fever of
excitement and the news that IL Jana
neSe destroyer was coming rp the river
spread quickly through the foreign set
tlement.
| The Japanese destroyer passed the
| Woosung forts at full speed and started
up the River III for Shanghai. As it
nassed the anchorage of the United
| STATES A<iatic squadron the American
destroyer Chauncey. in obedience TO sig
mails from the flagship, slipped cables and
followed
| The Japanese destroyer was cleared for
! action. It anchored off the Cosmopolitan
dock. where the Russian cruiser Askold
is undergoing repairs. The Chauncey
| came tn anchor practically between the
~ To Il