Evening star., 1914-08-22
JAPANESE FORCES
PUSH TO K|A0CHOW
READY FOR BATTLE
Continued from First Page.)

Continued from First Page.)
Japan shortly will be officially declared
at war with Germany.
Strictest neutrality on the part Of
the United States toward such new
was reaffirmed in a formal declaration
OF policy bearing on the delivery by
Japan to Germany of the ultimatum
demanding the surrender by the latter
country of the territory of Kiaochow.
The American governments attitude
was outlined in reply to assurances
which foreign minister Kato has given
to Ambassador Guthrie that the in
tegrfty Of China would be preserved.
While admitting that the United States
had sent communication to Japan OUT
lining the position of this country with
reference to the situation in the far east.
Secretary Bryan declined to discuss the
details OF the American declaration. Mr..
Bryan said 1t was forwarded to the Japa-
nese foreign office through the American
embassy at Toxic.
Peking's Inquiry Answered.
In answer to inquiries from 'Peking
as to whether the United States would
undertake the trusteeship of Kiaochow
for immediate transfer of the property
from Germany to China, 1t has been
made clear that the strict neutral atti-
tude Of the American government
would prevent it from adopting any
such suggestion, unless both Japan and
Great Britain approved.
While regretting that any differences
had arisen between Japan and Ger
many, the United States pointed out
that 1t must refrain from expressing
matum, especially since the ultimatum
might lead to war. and it was the
avowed policy Of this government to
maintain absolute neutrality in every
phase OF the European conflict.
Answer Awaited With Interest.
Germany's answer to the ultimatu.n
terest in official and diplomatic quar-.
ters, as only a few hours remain for
the time limit of the ultimatum.+ While
%" as the time limit, yet the difference
of fourteen hours time between TOXIC
and here make noon tomorrow in Toxic
about 10 pm. tonight. eastern time. in
the United States.
For this reason 1t is believed that
a reply-if one is to be made-must
now be en- route, as the delayed cable
communication around the world would
require many hours to insure an
answer getting through in the short
The German embassy had received no
word today as to Germany's course.
The State Department also was without
information, while the British. Jap
anese and other quarters were equally
silent.
It was believed the reply might go
through American channels. in which
case Mr.. Guthrie, the American ambas-
sador at Toxic, might be the medium
of communicating the response to the
Japanese government. But as there
are several other channels of communi-
oation-the German ambassador at
Toxic and the Japanese ambassador at
Berlin-some other means of delivery
may be adopted.
Equivalent to Rejection.
No answer would be equivalent to a
rejection of the demand, as by the
terms Of the ultimatum ''in the event
Of not receiving an answer by noon,
August %. Japan will be compelled to
take such action as she may deem nec-
essary to meet the situation"
It is considered practically certain by
officials that Germany will not comply
with the demand and that Japan's ac-
ton will be immediate operations
Baron Chinda, the Japanese ambassa
dor, has assured the United States Of
the sincere intention Of Japan to restore
kiaochoW to China. He Is confident
also that in case Of any trouble In the
interior Of China, the Toxic government
would be glad to notify the American
government Of any contemplated meas
ures.
Significance Of q. S. Policy.
The significance of the policy Of the
United States toward the situation IN the
far east as expressed In a formal COM
munication from the American govern
ment to Japan was widely discussed by
diplomats here today.
The declaration that the United states
would remain absolutely neutral In any
eventuality was not unexpected, but the
extent to which the present administra-
tion would reaffirm the policy OF John
Hay for the preservation OF the terri