The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-08-20

AEEa-LAl4ClLL mas lENE-kE4 d GaB4S-
gram from Chefoo. DARED today.
the substance Of which is as follows:
This morning seven japanese de-
stToyers entered the barbor and met
an unknown steamer entering, which
they captured. Two japanese cruis-
ers are outside the harbor"
The dispatch is as follows
ChefC0. aug. 1S.-This morning
harb0r Of Chefoo- Opposite the en-
trance they met an unknown steamer
and took possession Of her. There are
two cruisers outside"
Exact Spot in Doubt.
Tie dispatch is so worded as to
leave in doubt one OF the most i'm
Dortant points connected with the
seizure, namely, the exact spot at
(which il took place and whether with
out or within the three mile limit
Naval officials familiar with the harbOr
of Chefco state that there are two
entrances from opposite directions.
and II Is inferred from the above dis
patch that the japanese squadron ap-
preached through one Of these en-
frances TO find the unknown steamer
referred to coming through the other
entrance The Impression here is that
consequently the seizure took place
within the Chinese territorial waters
dence Of the determination of the
japanese naval officers 10 disregard
nlceties In dealing with this question
OF Chinese neutrality.
Insult China With Impunity.
Coupled with the reported refusal OF
me japanese government 10 release the
Ryeshiteini. also seized in Chefoo har-
Dor, II Is thought that the seizure in
dicates that while the Japanese may
ha ssfor 81 sv-
international port at Shanghai they
VIII not hesitate TO attack and cut out
any Russian ships that lie in ChefOO
harbor provided they are not dis
1nantieo 20 the absolute satisfaction OF
The Japanese naval officers.
Some apprehension has been ex-
pressed in other capitals that these
apparent breaches of Chinese neutral
f1y by Japan may extend 10 the land
operations OF the hostile armies. This
Keeling Is not shared in Washington.
and although the officials will not
make public the sources of their in
formation on this point there is reason
10 believe that they have been assured
by both Japan and Russia that there
VIII be no extension of the war field
beyond ManchuTia and perhaps. Korea.
which constituted the original theatre.
Danger on Land.
The danger OF a breach of neutrality
- AoA a. HcAiu operations are concerned
j. Said 10 enter al point On the border
between Manchuria and Chinese Mon
Eoiis. which would naturally be The
place where General Kuropatkfn would
seek to make his escape with his army
IN me event tLat the Japanese under
huroki succeeded I'm executing the
plan which IS now afoOt OF surround
ing him on the north. east and south
thus cutting him Off from the Siberian
railroad and his line OF communica-
ton Apprehensive OF this movement. !
j uau SE1kai and Ma, the famous
Chinese generals, with their foreign
drilled troops, have concentrated a /
force OF about 10000 men in Mongolia
near the border and il IS feared that
there may be a clash between these
men and the Russian troops in the
event OF the retreat of the latter
across the line.
Cassini's Opinion.
An interview by Count Cassini the
Russian ambassador, published in
New York newspaper today, attracted
attention among the official class here
particularly because Of the statement
attributed 70 the ambassador that by
the seizure of the Ryeshitelni. Japan
mad broken Chinese neutrality and had
wrecked Secretary Hays plan to limit
the field OF operations and also to
prevent world war. by dragging into (
me conflict the allies of Japan and I
Russia. 1t may be stated that the (
official opinion here as 20 this proba-
biity does not coincide with that en- /
1erJained by the ambassador. 1t is
confidently expected that neutrality. so /
Tar es land operations are concerned, /
can be preserved and that after all Is
The phase that would most endanEer
the worlds peace by ObHging the
allies 10 enter the lists.
Il is known that the British gov
eminent is in thorough accord >witE /
the American view on this point, and /
= - believed that France and Ger
many. with their enormous pecuniary
interests in The Russian funds and in /
eastern Investments. are equally desir- ]
Gus OF doing everything within their 1
power 10 maintain the present war /
z9ne- However. il is said. there IS 1
nothing in the ambassadors statement /
that seems to involve any change of /
policy on the part Of the state de- 1
partment which feels that having been /
Instrumental IN securing the solemn /
pledge Of both Russia and Japan to 1
observe Chinese neutrality il must I
rely upon the honor OF those nations /
Faithfully 10 execute that pledge and /
that Il certainly can not be expected 1
70 be dragged into the conflict either /
by taking sides or by soaking BY any /
other means than by mere moral i
suasion to induce the beiIigerents 10 1
I've up % their promises.