Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-24
U. S. to Declare Neutrality
Between Japan and Germany
During War in the Far East

Administration officials today were
preparing a proclamation setting forth
the neutrality of the United States dur
ing hostilities between Japan and
Germany in the far east Lines of
proclamations issued after the several
European powers declared war were
to be followed.
Danger of war between Japan and
Austria was removed today through
the agreement of Austria to dismantle
her cruiser, the Kaiserin Elizabeth,
now at Tsing-Tau.
Austrian Embassy Remain in Toxic.
The Austrian ambassador had been
preparing to leave Toxic when the Jap
anese government indicated its approval
OF a suggestion for dismantling the
cruiser. Austria accepted the proposal
and instructed the officers to inferno It
at Shanghai. The Austrian ambassador
then let it be known that he saw no oc-
casion to leave Japan
Japans declaration Of war on Germany
mas reached Berlin, according to official
reports received in Washington. Whether
the declaration was sent by cable or
wireless was not indicated.
Germany. having failed to return an
answer within the time set by Japan's
ultimatum. it was said at the German
embassy here that the declaration of
war was automatic.
Japan's Action Not Unexpected.
Japan's entry into the list of warning
nations was not unexpected in Wash
nston, and the position of the United
States had been outlined several days ago
In a note by Secretary Bryan. 1t an
nounced that the United States noted
with satisfaction" that Japan promised
to maintain China's integrity and to re-
store to her Kiaochow, and that Japan
pledged herself to the maintenance Of
the open door, In China, with equal
powers.
Great Britain's assurances to the
United States that Japans martial activ-
ity would be confined to eastern Asia
and the China sea, were reiterated by
Viscount Chinda, the japanese ambassa-
dor when he gave formal notice at the
State Department of Japans declaration
of War on Germany
Germany's failure to make any reply
to the Japanese ultimatum also was not
surprising to Washington officials. In
umations that such a course would be
pursued had been given by the German
charge d'affaires, Haniel Won Haimhau-
sen. The latter was at the State Depart
ment shortly after Ambassador Chinda
left. and learned informally from Coun-
selor Lansing that declaration of war
had been deposited here.
Reasons for Withholding Reply.
1t is generally understood, however,
that Germany refrained from making
any reply-first, because of the agrees
sive nature of the ultimatum, and sec
ondly, because Germany preferred that
Japan take the initiative, circumstance
which often has much weight in the final
reckoning in the peace conference at the
tose of the war.
The sole interest of the United States
now in the far eastern situation is that
of neutral observer. Aside from inform
al verbal exchanges between Viscount
Chinda and Secretary Bryan in Washing
ton and between American Ambassador
Guthrie and the foreign Office in Toxic,
there is nothing Of record so far to COM
nit the japanese to the limited field Of
hostilities laid down in the British note
of last week.
The impression prevails here among
diplomats. however. that the statement
of Viscount Chfnda taken in connection
with the speech in the Japanese diet last
week by Count Okuma, the Japanese pre-
mier, is quite sufficient to bind the Japa-
nese government to a strict performance
of it's obligations in regard to the return
of Kiao chow to China, and of the limita-
ton of the field of hostiities definitely
set out in the British statement --..
Status of Railroads in Shantung.
No mention was made by Ambassador
Chinda Of the status of the railroads in
Shantung province directly or indirectly
controlled by the Germans. 1t was said
at the Japanese embassy here that in all
probability the Japanese army would
content itself with the seizure of the
railroad running inland to Tsi-nan, about
200 miles in length. because this was
German in every respect
1t was not expected that any attempt
would be made to take possession Of the
extensive system of railways lying be-
tween Tientsin and Marking, because al
though these were financed by Germans,
they were nominally Chinese railroads.
Officials here do not believe any attempt
will be made by the Germans to turn
these roads over to Americans or Chi
nese as such a transaction would scarce
ly be recognized after declaration of war.
John c. Patterson, a retired dry goods
merchant and perhaps the oldest resident
of Charlottesville, Va. died last week in
the ninety-second year of his age. He
was a native of Augusta county. Va, and
located in Charlottesville at the age of
fourteen.