The San Francisco call., 1904-02-09
PRESIDENT
WILL SOUND
C0MBATANTS
Uncle Sam Proposes to
Guard interests
Carefully.
CaSSini in Conference
With Secretary
OF State.

WASHINGTON. Feb. S.-Tentative
orders have been prepared sending the
cruiser squadron Of the Asiatic fleet
northwsrd from Sublg Bay to the Vi
cinity Of Port Arthur TO observe the
japanese and Russian naval operations
and there 10 be al hand to protect
American interests wherever they may
be menaced ia the war-stricken dis
tricL The orders were submitted to
she President for dnal revision. but viii
not be sent unless they are agreeable
10 Russia and Japan, which viii be
sounded in advance on this side.
When the orders were prepared to-
day il was expected they would be sent
forthwith. in view or the restraining
instructions the contained for Rear
Admiral Evans. commanding the Ash
attic feet. TO observe strict neutrality
in all HIS movements. Secretary Moody,
however. is not willing that this coun-
try shall give ground even for suspi-
ciOn either by Russia or Japan. and il
has therefore been decided that these
governments shall be asked if the dis
patch Of the cruiser squadron to north
ern waters win embarrass either COM
bstant
EVANS N COMMAND.
The cruiser squadron consists Of the
flagship Albany. the New Orleans. Ra-
leigh and Cincinnati. In case the squad,
ron goes northward il is fully expected
here that Rear Admiral Evans will
transfer his flag 10 the Albany and as
sumo command Of the squadron, re-
naming in the Far East after his regu-
lar tour Of duty has expired to observe
the war.
Orders were issued to-day for Lieu
tenant y. A. McCaully now on the Dol
phin, Ia relieve Lieutenant Commander
Charles s. Marsh as naval attache at
Toxic. Lieutenant Commander Marsh
and Lieutenant l. Y. ellis. who has
been detached from the Kentucky and
is now on his way to Toxic are under
orders to follow The japanese naval
operations as best they can. It is not
expected that they viii be taken aboard
the japanese ships permanently.
That japan has fully determined on
war is evident from a cablegram re-
ceived at the Navy Department to-day
from Lieutenant Marsh saying that
japanese naval division had left for
Chemulpo. the port Of the Korean capt
tai The seizure Of Seoul. the general
naval board believes. viii be Japan's
first act Of war
CASSINI CALLS on HAY.
Count Cassini. the Russian Embassa-
dor, called by appointment on Secre-
tary Hay at O'Clock and the two were
in conference for nearly an hour The
Embasssdor was sgain assured that
this Government could be depended on
10 maintain the strictest and most
complete neutrality in the coming war.
Count Cassini gave Mr. Hay a brief
summary Of the negotiations He in
formed the Secretary that Russia was
convinced that Japan had all along
been anxious for war and that her
breaking off Of diplomatic relations at
the moment when Russia was putting
forth her utmost effort TO make con-
cessions that would preserve peace.
was an evidence Of bad faith.
In Russian circles Il is not expected
that Japan VIII formally declare war.
bat that she win attempt to catch
Russia unawares. II is declared that
the Russian army and feet will be
found ready and waiting: that Russia
viii not assume the offensive until she
has been attacked. but after that there
viii be no delay.
At the japanese legation it was said
tonight that there was no further
news on the situation TO be given out.
Al the Russian embassy no cables
came from any source
The Chinese and japanese Ministers
called AT the state Department in
search Of information from the seat Of
trouble in the Far East and saying
they had no news.
II has been practically settled that
the United States army shall be repre-
sented as q military observer with the
Russian army by Brigadier General II.
A. Allen. chief Of the Philippine Con-
stabulary. Major Oliver F. Wood viii
be United States military observer with
the japanese army. He has been for
some time United States military at
tache az Toxic and at Seoul and is said
70 be exceedingly popular with the Jan
anese army officers.
The outbreak OF war between Russia
and Japan win. it is believed here. be
followed by the Precipitste fight of the
Empress Dowager and the entire Chi
nese court from Pel1ing 10 Southern
China, where they took refuge in 1900
Information received by the State De-
partment several days ago indicated
that this would be the case.
c6bleErams received at a European
embassy say that the flight Of the court
may precipitate a dangerous condition
Of unrest throughout China. It will
leave the Government without q head
in Peking and VIII practically close
every door Of communication to the
Picking Government. Several European
powers are extremely anxious that this
menace TO foreigners in China may be
averted and are inclined to bring pres
sure to bear through their-representa-
tives at Peking to prevent IT,
At the State Department to-day Of
ncials declined TO say how far the
United States had gone or would go in
this direction, but it is known to be
the desire Of this Government that the
Empress DOwager remain in Pekins.
II is believed that Mr.. Conger win use
his efforts in that direction. The State