The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1904-09-01
.JAPS Threaten
DRASTIC MEASURES
NOTIFY POWERS TEAT THEY
WILL SEIZE, RUSSIAN saIPS
UNLESS DIsARM-D.
|, STRICT NEUTRALITY MUST
: BE OBSERVED AT SHANGHAI
Delay in Disarmament &C TIC Russian
Warships Askold s1d aroZovoi Is
Proving disappearing TO Japanese
Will Not Wait Auca Longer.

Washington, Aug. 90.-Japan has ad-
dressed a note to the powers Informing
them that unless Russia forthwith dis
arms. her warships in Shanghai Japan
will be forced to take whatever steps
she deems necessary to protect her in.
\ terests," which declaration is accepted
I to mean that a japanese feet Will sail
v up the river from Woosulg and take
v possession of the Askold and. GTozovoi
regardless OF. the America and British
interests which may have buildings in
range of the japanese shells.
vi, Mr.. Takahira, the Japanese minister,
called at the state department Satur-
day and left with Efr. Adee, acting sec
rotary of state, the communication CT
the Toxic government.
Simply Giving Fair Warning.
"While Japan hopes,' said Mr.. Taxa
hira that the reported intention Of
Russia to disarm the Asho;d apd Gro
zovoi at Shanghai Will be executed
promptly, my government has felt that
it was advisable to inform the powers
what must necessarily be its attitude
! in the event that the disarmament of
the Russian ships is delayed. The
conditions at Shanghai are peculiar
s:because CT the international interests
!'sthere, and my government is desirous
of giving these interests every consid-
Grafton"
will it be necessary to scId a Jap
. anese squadron into Shanghai and take
away the Russian ships as was done
: with tho pyochithJ-i az I'1ccSOC'' - tha
minister was asked.
my government has not. indicated
in its note to the powers" the minister
replied, "just what steps Will be neces-
sary if the Russian. ships a--e lot i'm
mediately disarmed. Eut it should be
remembered that the Ryc.h:jelni was
not completely disarIaed when seized
by the japanese, and, under the cir
1 c~umstances, her presence in Chcfoo
4 was exceedingly. advantageous to
, Japan for military reasons"
d; Still Hopes for Neutrality.
When the japanese minister called
at the state department Saturday he
Z. spent some time in conference with
& Acting Secretary; AGea, but, further
4 than to receive the communication, Mr..
/ Adee was careful not to disclose the
attitude of this government, although
1, the Japanese minister vas assured that
! the continuation Of Chinese neutrality
was earnestly hoped for by the United
States. The minister told Mr.. Adee
that Japan had been informed by
.China that the Russian ships would be
disarmed, but, as far as the legation
here knew, no oficia! date for this &C
ton had been named.
ii 1t is understood that a similar note
to that presented by Nj. TaAahira was
also delivered at the various foreign
offices by Japan's diplomatic represen-
tatives.
The statement is definitely made
here that Japan is sincerely DESTROYS
that 'Chfna's neutrality shall be main
tained.
Will End Ships Activity.
The japanese government. however
feels that if China fails to insist upon
the immediate disarmament Of the
Russian ships at Shanghai her neutral.
ity* will have been violated and in q
manner, 80 dangerous to Japan's own
military interests that Japan. will be
forced to take such: measures as will
effectively remove from the stage Of
activity the Russian ships which have
sought refuge in Shanghai.
In state department circles the opin.
ion is expressed that the Russian ships
will soon be disarned, and both a
the state and navy departments advices
have been received that the incident is
regarded in Shanghai as practically
closed. It was suggested that the eifect
of Japan's note probably would be t.
strengthen the determination of ths
Chinese officials to maintain the neu.
trality of the PeEing government no
onlysat Shanghai but at other point!
where an attempt may be made to VIC
late it.
sE'.