The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-09-02
UNITED STATES BROKE IN.
Naval Vessels Of Uncle Sam Ready tc
Protect China's NeutraIitv


Shanghai. Aug. 24.-Shanghai was
thrown into excitement by the arrival
Of 4 Japanese torpedoboat. She passed
the Woosung at full speed and started
up the river Thu for Shanghai. The
United States torpedoboat destroyer
Chauncey slipped her cable and fol-
lowed the Japanese destroyer. The
Japanese boat was cleared for action
She anchored off the cosmopolitan dock,
where the Russian cruiser Askold is
undergoing repairs. The Chauncey
came to anchor practically between the
dock and the Japanese destroyer.
Shanghai, Aug. 22.-The steamer
Haitin. which arrived here today, re-
ports having sighted a Japanese squad
sixty-flve miles southeast of Shanghai
The squadron showed no lights.
The United States monitor Monad-
mock and two torpedoboat destroyers
have been ordered to be ready to pro-
tect the neutrality Of Shanghai.
The American consul general has
called a meeting of the consular body
for l o'clock tomorrow. 1t is believed
the foreign consuls will then arrange
means to strengthen the hands Of the
toatai in dealing with the matter Of the
Russian warships here.
Later reports declare the Japanese
squadron to be twenty miles from Woo
sung. w OOSulS is lne outside narDOr
Of Shanghai
Chefoo, Aug. 22-With the exception
of Chinese vessels the United States
cruiser Cincinnati and the United
States gunboat Frolic are the only war
ships at present in this port. They are
ready to send men on shore at a mo-
ment's notice. should occasion arise
The fear Of trouble. however, is remote.
There is some fear that the local Jap
anese may clash with the Russian sail
ors from the torpedoboat destroyer
Ryeshitelni. who are now at the Rus
sian consulate. The foreign consuls
and others in authority all united in
saying nothing has occurred to give
reason to expect trouble. The situa-
ton is absolutely quiet.
The Japanese Attitude.
London, Aug. 22.-The interview of
the American squadron at Shanghai in
the Japanese operations against the
Russian cruiser Askold created consid-
cradle surprise in official and diplo-
matte circles here. The Japanese lega-
ton was at first inclined to believe
that the report that the United States
torpedo boat destroyer Chauncey
steamed into position between the
japanese torpedo boat and the Rus
sian cruiser was Il Shanghai fake"
as it had understood that the Amer
lean government would not object to
actlOn against the Russian warShipS
in case of their failure to observe Chi
neSe neutrality.
An official of the legation said:
IF the report is not untrue, the
American commander must have had
good reason for his action, such as the
protection of the American interests,
which would have been endangered by
flying shells.
Japan has been very reluctant to
send ships into the harbor, for she rec
ognized the international neutrality of
Shanghai and that the laws of neutral
ity demanded that China should order
the Askold and GroZovoi to dismantle
or leave the port, and that she having
given the order that the Russian ships
having refused it was then incumbent
for Japan to act, thereby protecting
Chinese neutrality and at the same
time exerting her rights as a belliger-
ent.
1T would never have done to per
nit Russian ships to remain in a Chi
nese port deliberately and avowedly
violating the neutrality of the country.
Whatever reason actuated the
American commander, If he really did
as is reported, it Is certain that no
complications will follow
1t is believed at the japanese lega-
ton that if the American commander
interviewed to preserve Chinese neu-