The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-12

and is now steamirg for vladivostok.
The departure of the squadron In the
face of the superior Japanese meet ls
commended by all classes.
One Reaches Shanghai.
Shanghai. Aug. ia Russian tor
pedo boat destroyer arrived here today
and IL is reported that four RUSSIAN
ba battleships are off the Saddle ISLANDS,
about 20 miles southeast of this port
Three Russian cruisers are reported
to have arrived at Tsingchou, at the
entrance of Kiao Chou bay
Grave Matter for Japan.
st. Petersburg, Aug. IL, 2:12 p. m.
The action of the japanese torpedo
boat destroyers in attacking and tow
ing out the defenseless Russian tor
pedo boat destroyer Ryeshitelni at
Chefoo is regarded in diplomatic
circles as being a very grave matter
for Japan. AS soon as the facts are
officially established no doubt exists
that Russia will promptly call the
attention of the powers to this breach
of neutrality of China:
Aside from the possible questionable
right of an uninjured warship to seek
not forced to do so by stress of wealth.
er or lack of coal and provisions, all
the diplomats agree as to the absolute
illegality of belligerent ships entering
hostile acts. The case so far as the
facts are known is considered much
more fragrant than that at Chemulpo,
where all the foreign commanders ex-
cept the commander of the American
warship there protested against the
proposal of the Japanese to enter and
| fight the Russian cruisers Variag and
Korietz in a neutral harbor-
The Whole Story.
Washington. Aug. 12.-The follow
! ing cablegram was received at the
state department today from Minister
Griscom, dated Toxic, August II:
According to latest reports re-
ceived at headquarters, japanese fleet
attacked Russian fleet emerging from
Port Arthur to the south of Round is
land, off Talien bay. The Russian
fleet finally defeated, fed during the
night Cruisers Askold, Novik and
Kaio Chou bay night of 18th; one de-
stroyer fed to Chefoo; five battleships,
one cruiser. probably Diana, hospital
ship and several deStroyerS returned
to Port Arthur between dawn and mid
day of 11th. Apparently no damage
to Japanese fleet"
A cablegram also has been re-
ceived from Mr.. Fowler, American
consul general at Chefoo, stating that
two Japanese torpedo boats entered
the harbor and attacked the Russian
torpedo boat which arrived there sew
eral days ago and dismantled, cap
tured and took her out.
Causes Worry.
London, Aug. 12--The British of1-
cials and foreign diplomats regard the
action of the Japanese in cutting out
the Russian torpedo boat destroyer
Ryeshitelni at Chefoo as raising Sc
rious question of importance to all ma
tions.
The foreign office received this
morning a dispatch from the British
consul at Chefoo confirming the cap
ture of the Ryeshitelni and her re-
moval by her captors from the har-
boF. The consul added that the facts
o n rRnOTfAd
tnese governor and the foreign diplo-
mats at Pekin. The former evinced
considerable concern, not so much at
the fact that the attack was made on
/ the destroyer as at the precedent eS-
tablished by Japan which Russia may
I follow in case of emergency, thereby
/ Secretary Hay sought to circumscribe.
Russia Makes Formal Protest.
St. Petersburg, Aug. IL, $50 p. m.
The Associated Press is able to an
nounce that Russia has already for
mally protested to Japan through
Japanese torpedo boat destroyers in
attacking the Russian torpedo boat de-
stroyer Ryeshitelni at Chefoo and
towing her away from that port, and
that the protest has been communi-
Gated to the powers.
No Provision for Refusal.
l Berlin, Aug. 1.-THE government S
instructions to Captain TruppeI, gov
ernor of kiaO Chou. which is in the
jurisdiction of the navy department,
Il although explicit in that the Novik
and the torpedo boat must leave Using
Chou within the "a hour limit, do
not. it is understood, provide for the
possible refusal of the Russian vessels
to leave that port The Czarevitch
being unseaworthy, must naturally re-
main in the harbor.
The foreign Office probably will take
no further action until Admiral Won
Prittwitz arrives at Kiao Chou and
reports on the situation.
1t is suggested by one in authority
that if the Russian ships refuse to de-
| part they will be required to disarm.
The North German Gazette, in be-
half of the government, affirms that
Germany will enforce neutrality and
observe International law strictly. The
other newspapers here print the news
agency dispatch without comment.
German Admiral Sails.
Berlin, Aug. 12,-Vice Admiral Won
Prittwitz. commanding the German
East Asiatic squadron, te1egraphs to
the navy department that he sailed
today from Chefoo on board the ar
{ mored cruiser Furst Bismarck fol
: Using Chou
The German cruiser Seeadler has
sailed from Ching Wan Tao for Using
Chou.