Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-22

ment had previously been reached between
the Chinese and japanese authorities, and
Russia did not propose to allow the Chinese
to disarm the ships, as they did in the case
Of the Ryeshitelni at Chefoo, with the pos
sibf1ity that they might subsequently be at
tackled by the Japanese in port.
SHANGHAI, August PA long meeting
OF the consular body was held today Tor
the purpose of discussing the case or the
Russian cruiser Askold and the destroyer
Grozovoi, which put into this port on Au-
gust II.
The meeting resulted in the preparation
of a statement Of the established 1acts re-
ea-d,ne the Askold and Grozovoi. The
Russian authorities show disinclination to
reconsider their refusal to comply with
China's demand that the TWO sihps iea'e
Shanghai or tffsarm.
Rear Admiral Stirling says that the trip
of the American torpedo boat DESTROYER
Chauncey from Woo Sung to Shanghai yes
terday was to carry dispatches. Her move
ments had no connection with the ARRIVAL
of the japanese torpedo boat destroyer. He
is determined that the japanese Shall not
interfere with the Russian vessels. He has,
it is reported offered to escort the Askold
and Grozovoi beyond the three-mile limit
The Japanese torpedo boat destroyer,
which entered the harbor yesterday mas
left the harbor with dispatches for the fleet.
The taotai has, by order of the ministry
Of foreign affairs, again taken hand in the
affair and has issued another extension OF
time to the Russian vessels, Whch nave
been ordered now to leave at noon TO-
morrow At low tides the Askold could not
get over the bar this week. Therefore re-
pairs must cease.
The American men-of-war III the harbor,
while retaining the outward appearances
of inaction have for several days been prac-
tically cleared for action with gun sights In
position and steam.
American Boat Follows japanese.
According to a cable dispatch received
last night Shanghai was thrown into a
fever Of excitement yesterday afternoon by
the arrival Of a Japanese torpedo boat
destroyer which was sighted coming in
from the south at half past o'clock. She
passed Woosung at full speed and started
up the river Ju for Shanghai. The United
States torpedo boat destroyer Chauncey
slipped her cable and followed the japanese
destroyer. The Japanese boat was cleared
for action. She anchored off the Cosmopol-
tan dock, where the Russian cruiser Ask
old is undergoing repairs. The Chauncey
came to anchor practically between the
dock and the Japanese destroyer.
The Askold was docked adjacent to the
warehouses of the Standard Oil Company,
Standard Oil Company had demanded pro-
lection for its property from Consul Good
now. The dock where the Askold lies Is
owned by British interests. On one side
of this dock Is German and Dutch prop
erty and on the other side American prop
erty.
The action of the Chauncey was generally
interpreted by the European press as an
Indication that this country would preserve
China's neutrality.
Consul General Goodnow Notified.
The taotai notified American Consul
Goodnow, who is dean of the consular
body. that China could not protect the for
eign settlements. He contended that Rus
sia ignored the orders issued by China
and that China had not the means of max
ing her obey them.
Consul Goodnow called a meeting of the
consular body today to take joint action
for the protection of foreign inhabitants.
Belief at the japanese Legation.
Some doubt was expressed at the Japan
ese legation here last night that an Ameri-
can torpedo boat should have deliberately
put herself between the Russian ships AS
kold and Grozovoi and Japanese torpedo
boat at Shanghai. The opinion was ex-
pressed that the Japanese vessel had per-
feet right to go in and reconnoiter to ascer-
tain IL the Russian ships had disarmed,
and this is believed by the legation officials
to have been her object. rather than to at
tack the Russian vessels lying at Shanghai,
and thus violate neutrality. The Japanese
legation officials were inclined to construe
the action Of the commander of the Ameri-
can torpedo boat In the light of interven-
ton, and said the effort might be to protect
American interests at Shanghai from some
danger that 1t had been apprehended might
occur.
Not Protecting Chinese Neutrality.
Consul General Goodnow capled from