The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-08-25
UNITED STATES TO KEEP
NEUTRAL IN WORLDWAR
Another Proclamation to be Is
sued on the Situation.
U S. REPRESENTING JAPAN
~ rake care OF Eastern Empires
interests in Germany-ItaIy
Expected To Fight.

Washington, Aug. 23.-Viscount
Chinda, Japanese ambassador here,
today formally notified the United
States that Japan had declared war
on Germany. The American govern
ment was asked to care for Japan's
interests in Germany.
Viscount Chinda repeated assur-
ances recently given by the British
government that Japan's activity
would be confined to the China seas
and Eastern Asia.
The position of the United States
set forth in Secretary Bryan's note
I OF three days ago has met with
Japan's approval. In that communi-
cation the United States noted with
satisfaction that Japan promised TO
MAINTAIN the integrity of China and
/ eventually restore Kiao-Chow to
China, that Japan sought no addi-
uonal territory and had pledged her
self to maintain the peace of the
open door, in China and equal on
portunity for the commercial inter
ests of all powers.
President Wilson tomorrow will
issue formal proclamation of neu-
trality.
Japan's declaration of war was not
unexpected here. Germanv's failure
TO reply to the Japanese ultimatum
also was not surprising as il general
ly was understood Germany would
not reply, first, because of the ag-
gressive nature of the ultimaSum
and, secondly, because Germany pre-
fcrred that Japan take the initiative.
When Ambassador Chinda called
at the state department the building
virtually was deserted. Secretary
Bryan had gone to the country for a
days rest. Counsellor Lansing re-
celVed the imperial rescript, setting
Iorth Japan's reasons for declaring
war, and talked briefly with the ma
bassador. The American government
did not undertake to communicate
the rescript to Germany "a copy hay-
ing been sent by other channels.
The sole interest of the United
States now in the Far Eastern situa-
tion is that of a neutral observer.
Aside from informal verbal ex-
changes between Viscount Chinda
and Secretary Bryan and between
American ambassador Guthrie and
the foreign Office in Toxic. there is
nothing of record to commit the
japanese to the limited field of hos
tlities laid down in the British note
OF last week
The impression prevails here
among diplomats, however, that the
statement of Viscount Chinda taken
in connection with the speech in tho
japanese Diet last week of Count
Okoma, the Japanese Premier. will
bind the Japanese government 10 the
return of Kiao-Chow to China and
OF the limitation of the field of hos
tilities. The declaration Of war by
Japan was the chief development OF
the day here, though dispatches in
dicating the preparations in Italy
for mobilization caused discussion.
Many officials here do not conceal
their belief that Italy is preparing
to enter the conflict on the side of
Great Britain.
WIRELESS NOTE.
Mr.. Won Haumson. the German
charge d'affaires. today took TO the
state department the following mes
sage which he said he had received
10y wireless from Germany:
Strong Russian forces were adj
Vancing against the German line at
Gumbinnen. The first German army
corps turned against the Russians OH
August 20 and checked them, secur-
ed 5000 prisoners and eight guns.
The German cavalry division took
500 prisoners, having fought two
Russian cavalry divisions.
The French attempt to invade
Upper Alsace has been frustrated by
the defenders. In Lorraine the
French are retiring from the from
tier. The German people find the
Havas French news about so-called
French progress most amusing and
just as false as some announced in
1870.
Very soon some new Zeppelins
will be ready for work on the Bel
gian coast and the English chan