Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-13

been laid before them, will take active steps
toward enforcing neutrality under the
guarantee of Secretary of State Hays note,
which action hardly could be expected from
the weak and shifty government of China
on it's own initiative
Japan Preparing Statement.
BERLIN August 13.-Japan has given
the German government an intimation
that she is preparing statement regard
ing the seizure of the Russian torpedo
boat destroyer Ryeshitelni at Chefoo The
foreign office therefore, is disinclined to
express its views on the Washington dis
patches indicating that the State Depart
ment is concerned about the apparent
breach of neutrality on the part of ia
pans torpedo boats.
Eclipses Other Incident.
LONDON, August 13.-The cutting out of
the Russian torpedo boat destroyer Rye
shitelni by the japanese torpedo boat de-
stroyers at Chefoo has eclipsed for the mo-
ment in the public mind the steamer
knight Commander incident Both, how
ever are receiving the earnest attention OF
the cabinet. Baron Hayashi the japanese
minister to Great Britain, has not made
any official explanation to the British gov
ernment up to this time of the Chefoo IN
cident.
All the information received at the lesa-
ton, which, however, 1t is said, is not OF
Japanese torpedo boat destroyers entered
Chefoo for the purpose of aScertaining IL
the Ryeshitelni was really dismantled and
unable 20 take part in future operations,
| that the Japanese boats crew was attacked
| by the Russians. and that the japanese
replied in self-defense, and that seeing the
| Ryeshitelni was able to continue military
operations she was towed out to sea.
This version does not agree with the orig
| inal reports received by the British foreign
| Office, in which the japanese appear to have
| been the aggreSSors.
The British government, the Associated
Press is informed, Las evinced desire that
! Japan should do nothing to cast a doubt
on the neutrality of China, and has ex-
pressed confidence that Japan will repair
| any errors committed by subordinate Off
| cials.
| At the Chinese legation it was said that
| no instructions had been received at Pc
| king regarding the Ryeshitelni, but 1t was
| believed that the japanese government
| would not fail to observe its pledge to re-
spect the neutrality of China and If nee
| essary go to the extent of returning the
| Ryeshite to Chefoo. The legation fears
that unless Japan makes reparation Russia
| may refuse to observe Chinese neutrality In
the future. 1t is this aspect OF the Incl
| dent which moved the British government
| to consult Japan. 1t is not believed either
| in government or diplomatic circles here
that Japan will repeat at Woosung the ac-
! ton taken at Chefoo. but that she will sta
| tion cruisers outside the port and attack
| Besides restoring the Ryeshitelni, the
Russian embassy here says Japan will have
| to apologize to China and promise to pay
| an indemnity to the families of the Russian
| seamen killed in the fighting at Chefoo.
Explains Entrance Into Port.
A dispatch from Shanghai published ir
the second edition of the Times says ths
| reason given for the entrance of the Rus
sian torpedo boat destroyer GroZovoi into
| that port is that 1t is necessary to repair
her machinery. The vessel, the dispatch
| adds shows no signs of recent fighting, eX
| cept that her forward rails are damaged
Her hull, guns and torpedo tubes are un
injured.
| The officers of the Grozovoi report tha
| the Russian warshps, after a severe en-
| gagement forced their way through tn,
Japanese fleet and escaped in several direc
items.
NJ Pavloff. former Russian minister Il
Korea. who has resided here since he lef
| the Korean capital, boarded the Grozovo
| Immediately after her arrival here.
Taken to Chinese Port.
LONDON, August 13.-According to
news agency's dispatch from Tokyo th
Russian torpedo boat destroyer Ryeshitelni
Continued on Second Page.)