The Oskaloosa herald., 1904-08-25
AMERICA BECOMES
INVOLVED IN WAR
THE TORPEDO BOAT cHAUNcEY
GUARDS SHANGHAI PORT.
PREVENTS SEIZURE OF SHIP.
China Unable to Enforce Neutrality
and Asks Assistance-Russia
Will Be Brought to Time
BY the Powers.

anese torpedo boat, which was sighted
coming in from the south at half past
four o'clock. She passed the 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 Jap
anese destroyer The Japanese boat
was cleared for action. She anchored
off the Cosmopolitan dock, where the
Russian cruiser Asl1old is undergoing
repairs. The Chauncey came to an
chor practically between the dock and
the Japanese destroyer.
Refuses to Disarm or Leave.
There are at present no Chinese men
of war in this port, but the taotai has
telegraphed that a Chinese cruiser be
sent Immediately. The Russian consul
general here fatty refuses to disarm the
Askold and the Russian torpedo boat
destroyer Grozovof or to order them to
leave the harbor.
Can't Protect Foreigners.
The Taotai has notified American
Consul Goodnow, who is dean Of the
consular body, that China cannot pro-
tect the foreign settlements. He con-
tends that Russia ignores the orders
issued by China and that China has
not the means Of making her obey
them. Consul Goodnow has called a
meeting of the consular body to take
joint action for the protection of for
eign inhabitants. The Askold has
locked adjacent to the warehouses
here of the Standard Oil company.
which are valued at over $1,000. 900.
The Standard Oil company has de-
manded protection for its property
from Consul Goodnow American
Consul Goodnow called the meeting of
the consular body for ten o'clock this
morning. 1t is believed the foreign
consuls will then arrange means to
strengthen the hands of the taotai in
dealing with the matter of the Russian
warships here
Squadron Approaching.
The steamer Haitln, which arrived
here Sunday, reports having sighted a
Japanese squadron Saturday night of
Gutzlaff island, about IS miles south
east of Shanghai The squadron
showed no lights. The United State:
nj Ltor MonadnoclS and two TORPEDO
| bit .ssSsstroyers have been osaeraa :.
II ~ - 80. "
pc ready ~ project the neutrality o
Shanghai. Later reports declare TIL
japanese squadron to be 20 miles from
Woosung. Woosung is the outside
harbor of Shanghai.
Americas Check to Japan.
London, Aug. pa situation filled
with promise of international compli
cations has been brought about IL
Shanghai by the action of a Japanese
torpedo boat, which entered the har
Dor yesterday all cleared for action
and anchored near the Russian cruis
er Askold, now undergoing repairs OF
the damage received in the Port Ar
thur fight. The American torpedo
boat Chauncey at once slipped heI
moorings and anchored between the
two belligerent vessels in a position
to prevent an attack on the Askold by
the Japanese. The Chinese have an
nounced that they are unable to force
the Russian ships to observe the reg
ulations Of neutrality, and the Amer.
lean consul has called a meeting OF
the foreign ENJOYS to take action
The Japanese fleet is cruising of
Shanghai and a,repetition of the Che.
foo incident. on a much larger scale
is feared. Should a battle take place
in the crowded harbor, the lives and
property Of foreigners, as we'll as the
Chinese, would be in the greatest
danger, and British officials are much
alarmed over the situation.
Ordered to Leave Port.
Shanghai, Aug. o. The foreign
consuls here held another meeting
this afternoon. The Taotai has given
the Askold and the Grosovi until noon
tomorrow to leave this port. No re.
pairs to vessels will be permitted
The Askold, however, can not cross
the bar this week, owing to the low
tide.
Italy Joins America.
Rome, Aug. 22-It was announced
today that the Italian squadron in
the far east has been ordered to CO.
operate with the Americans in main
tanning the neutrality Of China.
Russia Refuses to Act.
Washington, D. c., Aug. ga dis
patch to the state department today
from Consul General Goodnow at
Shanghai confirms the press disuatch
relative to the entrance of tho har-
Dor of the Japanese torpedo boat fol.
lowed by the American vessel Chaun-
cey. He says the Russian consul still
refuses to comply with the order to
dismantle the ship or leave the har-
Dor.