The San Francisco call., 1904-03-25
Hears That the Foe
Is to Violate Clila'S
Neutrality.
No Confidence Placed
in Pledges Made
by PGking.

ST. PETERSBURG, March 24-The
War Office is in receipt Of persistent
rumors that the japanese are prepar-
ing to land on neutral Chinese terri
tory. on the west coast Of the Gulf of
Ldaotung. either al Tienkinchang, in
Kinchow Bay, OF at Shanhaikwan.
Although slow 10 believe that Japan
deliberately contemplates 4 violation
o. her pledge 10 respect neutral Chi
nese territory, the Ministry Of War has
received reports 50 specific that they
compel consideration.
The presence OF disguised japanese
soldiers acting as spies along the Shah
haikwan road has been established,
and Russian agents report that there
is every indication Of an intended land
ing on the west coast OF the gulf os
Liaotung.
II the information received is correct
the japanese have discovered that
landing on the peninsula is too hard
a nut TO crack and have elected 10 land
on the Chinese side, where there viii
be no army to repel them The only
two points feasible for landing are
NhinWataO and Tienkiuchang and Kau-
kiau on the Peking Railroad. A land
Ing at either place would give the Jap
anese possession Of a splendid strategic
line by which TO strike the Russian
dank. and, if desired, TO hold PelIing IN
subjectiOn.
No FAITH IN CHINESE.
The Russians have little faith in the
Chinese generals, Ma and AIu. who
might disregard orders from Peking
and join the forces Of Japan.
The Russian military authorities have
felt themselves compelled to consider
The foregoing possibility and to take
the necessary precautions A high
Russian Official said:
1t would have worse consequence
for other powers than Russia If Japan
should enter neutral territory, for such
a step would obviously be for the pur-
pose Of inveigling China into the fight.
II Japan should be successful in this
there would be an uprising against for
eigners, which would be ten-fOld great
er than the Boxer affair. The mere
possibility Is pregnant with all sorts
OF danger, but we can hardly believe
that Japan viii venture to violate the
neutrality Of China as she did that OF
Korea"
II IS learned that the Russian mill
tary attache at Peking is now at New
chwang watching the movement Of the
Chinese troops.
LlAOHANG, Manchuria, March pa
General Ma has transferred his head
quarters 10 Tungchou, and his troops
nave Deen Withdrawn westward of the
SlLmintung Railroad. NicerOy Yuan
Shi Kai is now at Tientsin. His troops
are returning TO PaCtingfu.
IT IS positively reported that the Jap
anese propose 10 land troops at Gatsia
north Of ShanhaikWan. There are nu-
merOus japanese spies at Shanhailzwan
and elsewhere on the railroad 70 Yin
l1Ow-
petachments Of General Mistchenko's
troops remain IN North Korea. recon-
noitering. 4 party is always watching
AnJu, but the Russians have not en-
countered any japanese during the last
On the arrival of General Kuropat-
kin in trans -Baikal territory General
Llnevitch sent the commander in chief
telegram Of welcome. saying the
troops were thirsting 10 take revenge
on the enemy and We're impatiently
awaiting kurOpatkin's arrival.
Advices from South Manchuria and
North Korea say all is quiet there
MONGOLIA'S NEUTRALITY.
NEWCHWANG. March 24.-Prince
Alatsin, sovereign Of Mongolia. en-
route to his capital. arrived at Kin
chow yesterday from Peking and also
from Japan. where he witnessed the
nlaneuVers and mobilization of the Ian
snese army. In accordance with fhe
declaration Of Chinese neutrality
Prince Alatsin has commanded the OBJ
servance Of neutrality throughout Mon
golia, thus rendering illegal the large
pony, beef and feed traffic upon which
the Russians are depending but which
Notwithstanding his japanese svnlna- >
thies. he has found it impossible to sun
press.
The maintenance Of neutrality by the
Chinese in the region between the great
wall and the Lao River is said to be
complete. thus contrasting with the al
legged Russian violation Of neutrality
IN the same region by the maintenance
Of armed patrols and guards half wav
10 Shanhaikwan.
Both foreign and native vessels are
anXiously awaiting the opening of the
= Lao River 1t is their purpose to re-
move valuable goods and their careoes
before fighting begins.
Authoritative reports from Kirin.
Kwangohengtsi. Mukden. I,iaovang
ana Hsuyen show that three DAYS ago
complete quiet prevailed. with a reglI-
lar movement Of troops in the direction
of the Yalu River. One regiment passed
through Hsuyen on Sunday, March 90
ASKS FOR A PASSPORT
PERING, March 24.-The Russian
military agent at Tientsin has applied
for passport and permission to visit
Jehol and ChangWantsu, where Gen.
eral Mas troops are stationed. and
also for special letter of introduction
10 the general. The Chinese Foreign
ONCE is disinclined to comply.
The Russian and japanese notifca
tiOns regarding contraband of war diff
fering somewhat, the Chinese Govern
ment has applied to Sir Robert Hart
for advice. Sir Robert Hart has ad-
vised it TO prohibit the giving of any
assistance to japan, according to the
Russian notification. or TO Russia. ac-
coroing 10 the Japanese notification.
Peking is placarded with notices rnro-