New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-11
PROCLAMATION TO-DAY.
President to Order Neutrality-War
Ne5CS in Washington.

~ Gus tt W GSHtHS tOH'
washington, Feb. 1O-The President has de-
cided 10 issue a proclamation OF neutrality. II
viii appear tomorrow. The proclamation is
IN the usual form. and simply recites and
deplores the existence OF hostllties between
Japan ana Russia. and enjoins on the citizens
OF the United States strict regard for an OBJ
servance OF the laws OF neutrality.
Count Cassini. the Russian Ambassador. called
on Secretary Hay to-day. snd left with him the
announcement Of the Gar declaring war on
Japan. This action IS said at the State Depart
rnent to constitute a formal declaration OF war.
The counts communication was dispatch from
the Russian Foreign once. substantially a.
followss
During the night OF February so detach-
neut OF japanese torpedo boats Unexpectedly
attacked the Russian squadron lying at anchor
in the outer roadstead OF Port Arthur. This
attack being the beginning Of military opera
lions, obliges the imperial government to take
immediate measures to reply by armed force to
the challenge issued against Russia Be good
enough to inform the government OF the United
States
There was no discussion between the ambas-
sador and Secretary Hay OF the state Depart
-nent's proposition 10 the powers looking TO pre-
serving the integrity OF China The department.
however. Is satisfied, although on what ground
cannot be learned, that Russia Is not disposed
at this stage 10 oppose the execution Of its
rlans. Some answers have already been re-
ceived to Secretary Hays note but 81 IS not yet
considered proper to make them or even the
text Of the note itself public. 1t Is not doubted
that the proposition meets the approval Of the
powers. It is practically admitted that its ef-
feet would be TO exclude military OF naval forces
OF the belligerents from all China south OF
Manchuria-
Secretary Hay had a brief conferences with ths
President to-day. but the result was not dis
closed. The Secretary told the President OF his
interview with Count Csssini. at which the am
bassador Informed this government that Russia
had formally declared war on Japan
REPORTS on FIGHT AT cHEMULPo.
The United States Legation at TOXIC made two
reports to-day to the State Department on the
battles. The news OF the engagement at
Chemulpo was known IN Toxic some time before
word came OF the preceding Port Arthur affair.
The first reads:
A naval engagement was begun to-day at
noon ooth) outside the harbor OF Chemulpc. The
japanese squadron sunk the Russian gunboat
korietz at 4:lO p. m. and overcame the cruiser
Nariag Hostilities were begun by the Russian
gunboats firing upon a japanese torpedo boat
A later dispatch from the japanese Consul at
Che-Foo. Just across the strait from Port Ar
thur. reports:
Entire japanese fleet engaged Russian feet
outside Port Arthur IL p N. on the Sth. Two
Russian battleships were sunk by torpedoeS.
The Russian ships outside the harbor were I'M
able % enter. No damage to Japanese feet
Another dispatch from Tokio said that no Jap
snese lives were lost IN the engagement AZ
Chemulpo.
The following cable dispatch was received by
the General stan to-day from Major Oliver E.
Wood. military attache at Toxic. dated Feb
ruary 10:
War existing Request instructions. japanese
navy destroyed two Russian ships at Chemulpo
and three at Port Arthur February s. Details
follow.
In answer TO his inquiry Major Wood, who was
DESTROYS Of going 10 the front. was instructed 20
remain in Toxic. the General Staff believing that
he would be able 70 gather more information
/ there.
Mr.. Takshira. the japanese Minister here has
received advices from the japanese Foreign
once regarding the naval engagement of Che
mulpho similar to those made public by Mr..
Eayashi. the japanese Minister IN London Mr..
Tnkahira thinks IL IL especially important TO
note that, according. to these advices. the first
overt act OF war was committed by the Russian
! gunboat Korietz. which fred on the japanese
I torpedo boats Monday evening.