The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-12
JAP SEIZURE MAY
START WORLD WAR
Grave international Complication
May Follow Attack on War
ship at Chi-fu.

ST. Petersburg, Aug. IL, $3.50 p.n1.-The
Associated Press is able to announce that
Russia has already formally protested to
Japan, thru France, against the action Of
the Japanese torpedo boat destroyers In
attacking the Russian torpedo boat de-
stroyer RyeshteIni at Ch-fu and towing
her away from that port, and that the
protest has been communicated to the
powers.
This prompt action is based upon the
official report Of the Russian consul at
Chl-fu, which Is very explicit on the SUBJ
ject Of the dismanting of the RyeshteInI,
saying that not only were the breech
blocks of her guns and all her small arms
removed but her engines were rendered
useless. The vessel therefore was re-
duced to the condition of hulk. The con-
sui also reported that the Japanese fired
upon the Russian sailors while they were
| In the water.
Washington, Aug. 12-The report
| of the capture by the Japanese tor
7 pedoboat destroyefs Of the RussiaFa
| destroyer Ryeshitelni, in the harbor of
! Chi-fu, as conveyed to Washington by
the consul generals cablegram today,
was received with the deepest interest
and also concern. for it was realized
that there were in this incident the
germs of serious International trouble.
Mr.. Fowler spoke of the affair as a
. cutting OUT s0ApeQlllOU, thereby I'LL
| fer1ng In an important point from the
press dispatches, which at first read
ing appeared to indicate that the
seizure Of the Russian boat was in
some degree caused by the action of
| the captain of the craft, in attacking
the Japanese boarding lieutenant. It
may be that on this point will turn the
decision as to whether or not there
has been a violation Of Chinese neu-
| trality. by the Japanese.
If the expedition was a genuine cut
ting-out one, there is no question in
the minds Of the officials here that
the japanese have committed an Of
lating Chinese neutrality, and in adj
| dition have broken the agreement
they entered into at the beginning OF
the war. at the instance Of the United
| States government, to limit the field
of warlike operation to Manchurla
| and Korea and their waters.
Law on the Case.
| Should this prove to be- the case, the
results probably will be grave and
vexatious. Under the tenets Of inter
national law, the captured vessel must
be returned to the custody of the
/ Chinese government and an apology
rendered for the offense against Chin
csc neutrality. But If Russian lives
have been lost, as reparted in the
/ VI SSS OlSpc1lSuCSp SlSdIS1E
ton will follow, for Russia may in
turn hold China responsible for the
punishment of the Japanese who
caused the death Of her sailors, wher
under the shelter Of the Chinese port
authorities.
Altogether the situation is full OF
danger, and the main apprehension o.
the officials here is that it may be
the incident that will break down the
agreement Of the powers and plunge
China into the war as a full-f1edget
belligerent and ally Of Japan. The
consequences Of such an act on China'
part upon existing alliances between
Japan and Great Britain and between
Russia and France can only be con
occurred ana tne prosper IS SO alarm
partment will do it's utmost along will
the rest of the powers to effect sucl
settlement Of this incident as shall
preserve the agreement as to China il
i q e