Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-04-27
BRITAIN WARNS RUSSIA.
Violation of Chinese Neutrality May
Mean Aid For Japan.

Washington, April 27.-Great Britain
has given notice to Russia that IL the
fleet under Vice Admiral Rojestvensky
violates Chinese neutrality she will
take into consideration the obligations
imposed upon her by the treaty with
Japan. This treaty requires her to give
assistance to the latter in case a third
power should be drawn into the pres
ent struggle.
Whether this has been done for
mally is not known here, but 1t is the
explanation of the activity of the
British Asiatic squadron which has
been patrolling the southern Chinese
coast. The United States has been dis
playing similar activity, but has not
devoted itself particularly to looking
after China's neutrality. Its concern
is to keep the Philippines neutral tho
at the same time 1t has impressed
upon China that the declarations of
neutrality issued from PelSing three
months ago should be strictly en-
forced.
Sir Chentung I4iancheng, Chinese
minister in Washington, Informed The
Tribune correspondent yesterday after
noon that under no circumstance
would his government permit Rojest-
vensky to remain in its waters more
than the twenty-four hours specified
in the neutrality proclamation. II 4
longer stay occurs it is not at all i'm
probable that Chinese warships will
proceed at once to a point where the
Russian ships are anchored and direct
them to leave. Should they refuse to
do so the Crinese vessels will seek to
enforce the neutrality of their govern
ment tho they know their destruction
will result.
1t is not expected Rojestvensly Will
care to run the risk of embroiling his
government just at this stage in the
conflict with another power, especially
as thereby Great Britain would feel
that she is obliged to come to the sup
port of Japan There has been sharp
criticism in Toxic of the lukewarm at
titude Of the British government, but
now it appears all this has been
changed. Great Britain's unwilling
ness in the past to observe a firm pol
ICY with regard to the fleet of Vice
Admiral Rojestvensky is attributed Ito
it's indisposition to become involved IN
trouble with France. But If as a result
of the Russian violation of Chinese
neutrality China should be drawn into
the conflict Great Britain feels she
should have to come forward as the
champion of the Celestial empire with
out perhaps involving herself IN dlt-
ficulties with France.
There is no desire on the part of
the British government, as far as
known here to take part in the
present war, and if China remain per-
fectly neutral and France abstain from
further assistance to the Russian fleet
no obstacles will be interposed in the
way of battle between the fleets of
Roiestvensky and Togo.
If Great Britain We're to determine
to expef Rojestvensky from Chinese
waters she would have no trouble in
doing so She has a formidable fleet
in the east, the backbone of which is
made up of five battleships. These
battleships are all modern vessels and
fit to give battle to any force in the
world. At the last target practice
competition the China battle fleet won
the prize making an average of 73
points out of a possible 100. The ship
which made the best record in the
whole British navy was the battleship
Majestic, of the channel squadron,
which totaled S0,449 points, and the
second was the Albion of the China
squadron. The fourth ship was the
Glory, also Of the China squadron. The
record of battleships was equaled and
even excelled by smaller ships, the
gunboat Bramble of the China squad
ron making a total of S7.14 points.
All the British fighting ships in the
China sea are within supporting dis
tance of each other, but before they
would take drastic action they un-
doubtedly would notify the home gov
ernment in order that it might make
proper representation to Russia with
view of having that power instruct
Rojestvensky to leave Chinese waters
or take the consequences. There is no
doubt that Russia, having strained ev-
cry nerve to launch this last final bolt
against Japan, will want nothing to
develop to impede it's flight. Rojest-
vensky undoubtedly understands from
st. Petersburg what will happen if he
enters Chinese waters.