The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-08
.CONSULS WILL GO
TO THE FAR EAST
Our Representatives to De-
part on Thursday.
POSITIONS DIFFICULT ONES
United States May Yet Be Drawn Into
Threatened Conflict In
Manchuria.

Straight TO the seat of the threatened
war in the East, Fleming T. Cheshi.s
and James w. Davidson. the consuIa
recently appointed by ibis Governments
to serve at the newly opened ports Of
Mukden and Antung. in Manchuria. will
depart on Thursday.
1t will take the consuls five or Fix
weeks to reach their posts. and by that
time war may be raging up and Gown
the peninsula, but it is not anticipated
that the American consuls viii be in
any danger once they arrive safely.
The only fear is that the ship or trains
on which the consuls are travelling may
be stopped by some Unforeseen circuIn-
stance of the war.
BV Different Routes.
It is probable that Mr.. Cheshire and
Mr. Davidson will go by different routes.
so as to irsure the safe arrival at their
posts of at least one OF them One will
sail frora San Francisco. while IL IL
likely that Mr.. Davidson will try the
overland route via the Canadian Pac.hc.
Bitter weather in Manchuria is likely
to cause the travellers many discoIn-
forts.
The advent of these new consuls IN
Manchurfa is regarded of great signin-
canoe in International diplomacy. Some
diplomats claim that their presence near
the seat of war will inevitably bring
America into the conflict through some
rash act on the part OF the warning ma
tons. Consuls Cheshire and Davidson
have received lengthy instructions as
TO the diplomatic position they will &C.
eupy In Msnchuria, and it will be their
duty especially to keep the State De-
partment most infinitely informed as 10
the conditions in Manchuria- BY the
treaty recently signed with China by
the United States, Mukden and Antunz
must be maintained as open ports
Native of New York
Fleming T. Cheshire. who gees to
Mukden. is a native OF New York. He
was appointed acting interpreter at
Foochow by George Seward, United
States minister. in September, 1877. He
served in that capacity until August J,
1878. when he was appointed vice consul
at the same post. and was in charge
OF the consulate from November. 1873, TO
May. 1873. Mr. Cheshire was In cnarSe
/ OF the consulate at Canton from Oc-
/ tOber IS. 1879. to April 20: was appointed
! Interpreter to the consulate general az
I Shanghai on June 10, 1882 He was ap.
pointed vice consul general at Shanghai
] in 1872 The most interesting part Of his
| career was his service at PelSin during
I the siege of the legations by the Boxers
/ at which time he held the Office Of inter-
( prefer He directed the erection OF
Z Sandbag barricades on the city walls
/ ltading tie native Christians in this ex-
citing work; also acting as interpreter
/ In connection with the general work OF
1 defense.
! Davidson Westerner.
James w Davidson. who is to go to
Antung. is a native of Minnesota but
has had much experience in the East.
He has been for many years United
| States consul at Yamsui in the island
i of ForrnOsa- lie speaks Chinese and
Japanese huently and is well equipped
/ for his duties
/ Edwin V Morgan who Is to go 10
/ Dalny as commercial agent, will leave
/ Washington at a later date.