The Indianapolis journal., 1904-02-09
EVANS WILL GO WITH
CRUISER SQUADRON TO
WATCH THE CONFLICT
Fighting Bob" to Be Ordered to
Vicinity of Port Arthur Unless
the Belligerents Object.
NEUTRALITY OF AMERICA
Secretary Hay Assures Cassini 1t
Will Be Most Strict-Naval
Observers Detailed.

WASHINGTON, Feb S.-Tentative orders
have been prepared sending the cruiser
squadron of the Asiatic fleet northwarG
from Subig bay to the vicinity of Port Ar
thur to observe the Japanese-Ru naval
operations and to be at hand 10 protect
American interests wherever they may be
menaced in the war-stricken district. The
orders will be submitted to the President
for final revision, but will not be sent un-
less they are agreeable to Russia and Japan.
which will be sounded in advance on this
side.
When the orders were prepared to-day it
was expected they would be sent forthwith,
in view of the restraining instructions they
contained for Rear Admiral Evans, COM
manding the Asiatic fleet, to observe strict
neutrality in all his movements. Secretary
Moody, however, is not willing that this
country shall give ground even for suspicion
either by Russia or Japan, and it has there
fore been decided that these governments
shall be asked if the dispatch of the cruiser
squadron to northern waters will embarrass
either combatant.
The cruiser squadron consists of the AL
bany, flag ship; the New Orleans. Raleigh
and Cincinnati. In case the squadron goes
northward it is fully expected here that
Rear Admiral Evans will transfer his flag
to the Albany and assume command of
the squadron, remaining in the far East
after his regular tour of duty has expired
to observe the war.
Orders were issued to-day for Lieut. New
ton a McCauley, now on the Dolphin, to
relieve Lieutenant Commander Charles s.
Marsh as naval attache at Toxic Lieuten-
ant Commander Marsh and Lieut.. Irvins
V. GilliS, who has been detached from the
Kentucky and is now on his way To Toxic
are under orders TO follow the japanese
naval operations. 1t is not expected they
will be taken aboard the Japanese ships
permanently.
That Japan has fully determined on wal
is evident from a cablegram received al
the Navy Department from Lieutenant
| Commander Marsh, saying that a japanese
/ naval division had left for ChemulpO, the
port of the Korean capital. The seizure OF
! Seoul. the general naval board believes
| will be Japans first act of war
| Count Cassini, the Russian ambassador
called by appointment on Secretary Hay
/ at o'clock and the two were in conference
| for nearly an hour The ambassador wa:
| again assured that this government coulC
| be depended on TO maintain the strictes
! and most complete neutrality in the com
| ing Count Cassini gave Mr.. Hay
/ brief summary of the negotiations He in
| formed the secretary that Russia was con
! vinced that Japan had all along been anx
ious for war, and that her breaking off o
! diplomatic relations, at the moment Whel
! Russia was putting forth her utmost effor
| to make concessions that would preserv,
peace. was an evidence of bad faith.
! In Russian circles il is not expected tha
| Japan will formally declare war, but tha
| she will attempt TO catch Russia unawares
! 1t is declared that the Russian army an,
fleet will be found ready and waiting, tina
| Russia will not assume the offensive unit
! she has been attacked. but that after tha
| there will be no delay.
At the Japanese legation ii was said to
! night that there was no further news on tn
! situation to be given out. At the RuSsial
! embassy no cablegrams came from an
|