Eureka Reporter | 1905-02-17 | Page 4 | American Warships to Enforce Neutrality on All Nations in Philippine Waters

AMERICAN WARSHIPS TO ENFORCE neutrality ON ALL NATIONS IN philippine WATERS CRUISERS AND destroyers IN philippine WATERS while no reports have been ed from rear admiral stirling corn anander ln chief of the asiatic fleet that he has dispatched a portion of his command to the southern philippines tor the purpose of preserving american neutrality not the slightest doubt Is expressed at the navy depart ment that active steps have aeeti taken rear admiral stirling ie doing this undoubtedly in obedience to the relta alon of instructions already twice sent to the asiatic squadron to apply president loosevelt Koo sevelt s proclamation ot neutrality to the waters of the phil just as they would be applied to the coasts of the united states his last instructions were sent on jan 25 these were caused by the report ed presence of japanese scouts and cruisers in the waters between sulu and borneo the department in its cable to admiral stirling spoke of the reports of fleet activity in those waters while the japanese naval plans now as throughout the warfare kept secret no one in the navy department part ment doubts that japan has made the most elaborate arrangements for detecting and giving battle to the russian baltic fleet just as soon as it appears in Oc eanica it Is believed that japan at every passage which would let the russians through on the way to the tar east from the straits 0 malacca to the west end of the dutch possessions in new guinea has its scouts and cruisers watching day and night the naval experts who are awaiting of admiral stirling s movements with great interest are convinced that japan does not for a moment assume that the russian fleet Is turning back rear admiral stirling has twenty one warships all with the exception of the small gunboats being aseem bled at in readiness tor the en of neutrality should it be necessary