THE REFUGEE WARSHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 201, 23 August 1904, Page 5

THE REFUGEE WARSHIPS.

EXPECTED ACTION BY POWERS AMERICANS TAKE THE LEAD. WAR VESSELS WARNED. LONDON, August 22. The Taotai at Shanghai telegraphed to Pekin for a Chinese cruiser to be sent, but waa informed by Mr. J. Goodnow, the United State* Consul, as senior Consnl, that China was unable to protect the settlement. Mr. Goodnow added, " Russia ignores orders, and China is powerless." Mr. Goodnow Hat summoned the other Consuls to co-operate in the protection of foreign interests at Shanghai. The Standard Oil Trust, whose go-downs adjoin the Cosmopolitan Dock, which is British property, demanded United States protection. Two American destroyers have been ordered to be in readiness to protect the neutrality of Shanghai. Two Japanese cruisers and a battleship have been sighted sixty miles from Woosung, and a steamer has reported having seen a Japanese squadron without lights lying !at fua outside of the port. i AN EXCITING INCIDENT. AMERICAN WARSHIP CHASES JAPANESE. PREVENTS AN ATTACK ON ASKOIiD. LONDON, August 22. The Taotai on Saturday notified the Russians that unless the vessels ■were disarmed China 'would disarm them and detain the crews throughout the war. The Russian Consul flatly refused to disarm or order the vessels to leave. There was great excitement yesterday. A Japanese destroyer passed Woosung and proceeded at full steam to Shanghai. The United State* destroyer Chaun«y slipped her cable, followed, and cleared for action. The Japanese destroyer anchored outside the Cosmopolitan Dock, in which lies the Askold, and the Chauncy anchored between the destroyer and the Askold.