Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-19
SEIZED BY JAPANESE
Another Vessel Captured at
Chefoo.
POINT LEFT IN DOUBT
NOT KNOWN WHETHER THE ACT
TOOK PLACE IN THE HARBoR.
Believed That Occurrence Was Within
Chinese Waters-Repetition Of the
Ryeshitelni Affair Looked For.

The State Department received a cable
dispatch from Chefoo dated today which
read:
CHEFOO, August 19.-This morning
seven Japanese destroyers entered the har-
Dor OF Chefoo. Opposite the entrance they
met an unknown stamer entering and took
possession Of her. There are two cruisers
outside
The dispatch was SO worded as to leave
in doubt one of the most important points
connected with the seizure, namely. the ex-
act spot at which 1t took place and
whether 1t was without or within the
three-mile limit set down by international
law.
Naval officers who are familiar with tho
harbor at Chefoo say there are two en-
frances to that harbor and they are from
opposite directions. 1t is inferred from the
Chefoo dispatch to the State Department
that the Japanese squadron approached
through one of these entrances where they
found the unidentified steamer referred
to passing through the other entrance.
Significance Of the Act.
The impression here is that the seizure
took place within the Chinese territorial
waters Therefore the incident is regard
ed as an evidence of the determination OF
the Japanese naval officers to follow the
advice attributed in the press reports
few days ago to the japanese consul at
Chefoo, and to disregard nicetes In deal
Ing with this question OF Chinese neutralf-
ty Coupled with the reported refusal OF
the Japanese government to release tho
Ryeshtelni which was also seized In Che-
foo harbor 1t is thought the seizure indi.
Gates that, while the japanese may not
assert the right of seizure in the interna-
tional court at Shanghai, they will not
hesitate to attack and cut out any Russian
l.a To-. NhAf har
they are not dismantled to the absolute
satisfaction of the Japanese naval officers.
As to Operations on Land.
Some apprehension has been expressed
in other capitals that these alleged breach
es of Chinese neutrality by Japan in tho
ports of China may extend to the land op~
eratfons of the hostile army. This feeling
is not shared In Washington. and, although
the officials will not make public tho
sources of their In. .ormation on this point,
there is reason to believe that they have
been assured by both Japan and Russia
that there will be no extension of the war
field beyond Manchuria or perhaps Korea,
which constituted the original theater The
danger of breach Of neutrality so far as
land operations are concerned Is said to
center at a point on the border between
Manchuria and Chinese Mongolia, which
would naturally be the point where Gen.
Kuropatkin would seek to make his escape
with his army in the event that the Japa-
nese under Kuroki succeed In 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 communication.
Chinese Troops in Readiness.
Apprehensive of this movement Yuanshi
Kai and Ma, the famous Chinese generals
with their foreign-driled troops, have con-
centrated force of about 10000 men In
Mongolia, near the border, and 1t is feared
there may be a clash between these men
and the Russian troops in the event of the
retreat of the latter across the line.
William Martin. United States consul at
Nankin China, who recently arrived at
San Francisco from the orient on the
steamer Siberia, is quoted in an interview
to the effect that immense bodies Of Chi
nese troops are now drilling in the central
part of the kingdom under the direction OF
Japanese officers we'll versed In the art or
modern warfare The soldiers have been
supplied with the Mauser type of rifles and
the most up-t to- da te machine guns are now
being purchased for their use. In the
vicinity of Nankin alone there are about
5000 soldiers drilling constantly.
Ambassador Cassini's Interview.
striking interview by Count Cassni.
published in a New York paper this morn
ing, attracted great attention among the
official class here, particularly because Of
the statement attributed to the count that
by the seizure OF the RyeSnlteInl Japan
had broken Chinese neutrality and had
wrecked Secretary Hays plan to limit the
field of operations and also to prevent n
world by dragging into the conflict
the allies of Japan and Russia 1t may
be stated that the official opinion here az
to this probability does not coincide with
that entertained by the ambassador and
1t Is confidently expected that neutrality
so far as land operations are concerned,
can be preserved and that, after all is tho
phase that would most endanger the
worlds peace by oblging the allies to en-
ter the lists.
Aim of the Powers.
1t is known that the British government
Is In thorough accord with the American
view on this point and II is believed that
France and Germany, with their enormous
pecuniary interests in the Russian funds and
In eastern investments, are equally desirous
Of doing everything within their power to
maintain the present war zone.
However IT is said there is nothing In the
ambassadors statement that seems to In
volve any change of policy on the part or
the State Department, which feels that
having been instrumental in securing tho
solemn pledge Of both Russia and Japan
to observe Chinese neutrality, it must rely
upon the honor Of those nations faithfully
to execute that pledge, and that ii Certainly
cannot be expected to be dragged into tho
ing by any other means than by mere moral
suasion to induce the belligerents TO live
up to their promises.