Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-08-24
CHINA MUST DO ITS DUTY.
Consuls Decide That Celestial Govern
ment Must Remain Neutral.

the meeting OIL the 1UrelSn cUuSQlS mere
today. Ali foreign countries with con-
sulateS here were represented. 1t was
UNANIMOUSLY decided that emma cannot
snlrk her responsibility as a neutral
state by handing this matter over TO the
consuls for adjustment.
St. Petersburg, Aug. 22.-The dis
patches saying Iuat energetic ACTON had
ueen taken by the American warsnlps at
Shanghai to protect the neutrality OF
CHINA mas aroused the ilvehest satlsfac-
ton III Official and unofficial circles here.
The protected cruiser Askold and the tor
pedO BOAT destroyer GroZOvOl VIII be dis
armed. The admiralty realizes that it
would be folly to SEM the SHIPS out to
face the japanese squadron in the otting
ana as announced III these dispatches
last week had already decided that the
snlps snail be dlsarmed.
Shanghai, Aug. 22.-The meeting of
the foreign consuls here today resulted
In the preparation of a statement of the
established facts regarding the Russian
warships Askold and Grozovoi The
RUSSIAN authorities show u disinclinatlon
to reconsider their refusal to comply with
Chlnas demand that the two ships leave
Shanghai or ulsarm.
Washington ID. c. Aug. 22.-Consul
General tIoodnow cabled the state de-
partment today from Shanghai telling of
the appearance of the japanese vessel in
the harbor there. lie made no mention
OF the reported action of the American
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 III 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. IA long meeting OF
the consular body was held today for the
purpose of discussing the case of the
Russian cruiser Askold and the destroyer
Grozovci, which put into this port oil
August y.
No decision was reached, but it is be-
Geved that the final action will be the
same as that taken in 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
Won Pou (ministry of foreign affairs)
again taken a hand in the affairs and
has issued another extension of time to
the Russian vessels, which have been OF
low tides the Askold could net 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.
n
that the japanese shall not interfere with
the Russian vessels. He has, it is rel
ported, offered to escort the Askold and
Grozovoi beyond the three-mile limit.
The japanese torpedo boat destroyer is
expected to return to the harbor tonight,
Thwarted by Americans.
Shanghai, Aug. pa 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 q position between the Japa
nese and Russian warshlps.
The United States monitor Monadnock
and two torpedo boat destrOyers have
been ordered to be ready to protect the
neutrality of Shanghai.
A Japanese squadron, consisting of a
battleshp and two cruisers, is approach
ing ana is now few miles off Woosung
the outside port of Shanghai
Russians Refuse to Disarm.
The Russian consul general here flatly
refuses to disarm the Askold and the Rus
sian torpedo boat destroyer Grozoyoi or
70 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 consuls will meet today 1t is be-
leved they will then arrange means to
strengthen the hands of the taotai in
dealing with the matter of the Russian
warships here.
American Property Menaced.
The Askold has locked adjacent to the
warehouses here of the Standard Oil com.
pany. which are valued at over $1OO. 900.
The Standard Oil company has demand
ed protection for its property from Con.
sui Goodnow.
The dock where the Askold lies is
own by British interests. One one side
of this dock is German and Dutch prop
erty and on 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-ofwar in this port, but the
taotai has telegraphed that q Chinese
cruiser be sent Immediately.
Excitement at SHANGHAI