New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-23
STIR IN GREAT BRITAIN.
The Government Reluctant to Take
.4cti0n in China.

London. Aug. 22-Interest in official and
diplomatic circles in London to-day centred at
Shanghai where British interests are strongly
appealing for protection Great Britain, how
ever, would prefer that the United States
should take the initiative in maintaining the
neutrality Of China. Great Brttains position as
the ally Of Japan making her situation delicate.
unless her interests are directly menaced.
It IS true. the officials say, that Great Brit
ain agreed TO the principle Of the neutrality of
China, but she did not agree TO enforce II.
Throughout the discussion relative 10 the Askold
and the Grozovoi. she has thus far held the
view that it is none OF her business, and the
extent TO which Great Britain has gone has
been 10 point out TO China the Importance OF
maintaining her neutrality against either belliG-
erent The British government hopes that the
pressure OF the consular body al Shanghai will
make China take action TO enforce her neutral
inv. thereby establishing a precedent which may
preveDt Il recurrence Of similar incidents in the
future.
THE RUSSIAN ARGUMENT.
rna Russian embassy here asserts that the
mere fact Of a cruiser repairing in order TO put
herself in a seaworthy condition Is no violation
n China's neutrality. and that after the repairs
IA completed the question whether the ship
shall be dismantled or must put to sea can be
determined L is further alleged that should
the AskoId and the Grozovoi go 70 sea they
have the right 10 leave together
There is also a question, which. It is asserted
Will be discussed a Shanghai, whether the ships
have not the right to refuse 10 20 out in the
face Of the superior force outside the harbor
In German diplomatic circles here It is under
stood that Berlin would support the United
States In insisting on the neutrality Of China,
and France. it IS believed. would be likely TO
do so.
In the case Of the Ryeshitelni no answer has
bAep returned by Great Britain 10 Russta's pro-
fast and her attitude in that matter has not
heen developed thus far by the exchanges OF
communications between the powers The Rus
sian Embassy has not made any further repre-
sensations regarding the RyeshlteLnl' but me
Foreign Minister. Count Lamsdorf, is expected
- mako q retoinder to Japan's explanation Of
her attitude as set forth in the statement from
Toxic.
FORECAST OF REPLY TO JAPAN.
Russia. according To the information obtain
able in London. will deny any violation Of the
-a,,--oI,+,y ~ China in establishing a wireless
+e1eqraph plant al Che-Foo, and will allege thdt
N anv case she was justified in taking such
step as Japan sending torpedo ooats 20
C1e-Foo and communicating with the Japanese
consul and obtaining information from HIM II
IS pointed out that Immediately after the RUS
stan battleships Retvizan and CzareYltch were
torpedoed Japanese torpedo boats entered Che-
ZOO harbor and sIgnalled TO the japanese consul
frequently since then, IL IS alleged the same
course has been pursued
The Official reports Of the destruction Of the
Novik say that the gallant ship, which was IN
the harbor Of KorsakOvsk. on sighting the Two
Japsnese ships steamed out TO meet them and
finding herself unable 10 sustain the unequal
conn5ar ran back TO the harbor and was
| beached. Full details OF the casualties are not
ascertalnabIe except that one ofHcer was killed.