Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-08-12

Of her destroyers. even returning the
Ryeshitelnl to Chefoo provided she "
convinced that her officers acted wrong
fully,
The Japanese legation here has cabled
TO Toxic asking FOR an explanation and
expects that AN immediate inquiry VIII
be Instituted by the japanese govern
ment Until all the facts are ascertain
cd the legation says IL win be unable 10
mteligenty discuss the procedure or
the officers, but IT Is confident that they
had good reasons for their act.
The legation added
Japan Is deeply Interested In the
maintenance OF the neutrality of China,
aud has given the most stringent orders
10 prevent it, violation. I'm view OF
this fact we are loath 10 believe that
the officers We're guilty Of disoOedience
10 the orders unless circumstances JUS
tihed such action.
No representations have yet been
made TO this government by the Rus
sian ambassador, but II IN pointed out
in Russian diplomatic circles that the
question IL one which particularly con-
Germs the United states, which obtained
pledges from both Japan and Russia
To respect the neutrality OF emma.
Nevertheless. Great Britain, too, must
take notice Of the ChefOO occurrence as
She accepted the principle OF the neu-
trnllty Of Chinese territory outside the
zone Of Russian occupation. But
whatever action Great Britain taxes
win be simply advisory
As VIEWED IN WASHINGTON
Washington, Aug l2--The report of
the capture by the Japanese torpedo
boat desIoyers Of the Russian destroy
or Ryeshitelni, IN the harbor Of Che
foo as conveyed 90 Washington by con-
sui generals cable today was received
with the deepest interest ana also
concern, for It was realized that there
were IN this incident the germs OF ser
Ious international trouble Mir Fowler
spoke OF the affair as cutting out
expedition. thereby differing IN an inn
portant point from the press dispatch
es. which at first reading appeared 10
that the seizure OF the Rus
sian boat was Ia at least some tegree
caused by the action Of the captain
OF the craft I'm attacking the Japanese
boarding lieutenant II may be mat
upon this point viii turn the decision
as to whether or not there has been
violation Of Chinese neutrality by the
Japanese.
AN oFFENsE COMMITTED.
If the expedition was genuine cut
ting out one, then there Is no question
I'm the minds Of the officials here that
the japanese have committed an OIL
Tense against international law by vio-
lating Chinese neutrality, and In add
tlon have broken the agreementf they
entered into at the beginning OF the
war. at the instance OF the United
States government. 10 limit the field OF
warlike operations TO Manchurla and
Korea and their waters Should this
prove TO be the case, the results PROB
ably VIII be grave and VeNatious, Under
the tenets OF international law the cap
tured vessel must be returned to the
custody of the Chinese government, ana
an apology rendered for the onense
against Chinese neutrality. But II
Russian lives have been lost as re-
ported in the press dispatches, a great"
er complication will follow for Russia
may In turn hold China responsible for
the punishment OF the Japanese VINO
caused the death OF her sailors when
under the shelter Of the Chinese port
authorities Altogether the situation
is fun Of danger and the many appre-
tensions OF the officials here is that II
may be the Incident that viii break
down the agreement OF the powers and
plunge China into the war as full
nedged bellgerent and ally Of Japan,
The consequences of such an act on
China's part upon existing alliances
between Great Britain and Japan and
Russia and France can be only con-
Jectured, and the prospect Is so alarm
ing that Il is not doubted the state
department win do It's utmost along
with the rest OF the powers to effect
such settlement OF this incident as
shall preserve the agreement as to
China IN fun force.
RUSSIA FORMALLY PROTESTS.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 10 $3.50 D. ND
The Associated Press IL able TO an
nounce that Russia has already for
mally protested TO Japan through
France against the action of the Japa-
nese torpedo boat destroyers In at
lacking the Russian torpedo boat de-
stroyer Ryeshitelni at Chefoo and tow
ing her away from that port and that
the protest has been communicated to
the powers
This prompt action Is based upon the
official report OF the Russian consul at
Chcfoo which rs very explicit on the
subject of the dlsmaltling OF the Ryes-
hitelni saying that not only were the
breech-bloclSs OF her guns and all her
small arms removed but her engines
were rendered useless, The vessel
therefore was reduced 20 the condition
OF hulk. The consul also reported
that the Japasese fired upon the Rus