Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-04
SHELTER FOR REFUGEES.
Rights of the American COnsuIates in
China and Japan.

Rights of the American COnsuIates in
China and Japan.
SHANGHAI. September 4-The Chinese
having claimed contro, over the Japanese
residents in China, asserting that Japan
claims control over the Chinese residents
IN Japan, the American consul, acting I'M
der instructions from Washington only to
Intervene with friendly offices, yesterday
delivered to the Chinese outside the settle
ment limits two Japanese who were recent
ly arrested, accused of being spies, and who
had been under the protection of the United
States. The Chinese authorities pledged
themselves not to torture the prisoners
and to give them a fair trial.
1t was learned that diplomatic CORE
spcndenc1 has passed between Minister
DENLY and this government regarding the
protection which the United States dipio-
Ratio officers can give to Japanese in
China, and that correspondence was had in
regard to the case of the two Japanese ac-
cused of being spies, who have been deliv-
cred to the Chinese authorities for trial In
teresting questiors are involved in the case,
arising partly from the position of the
United States a mediator, since 1t has
extended its good offices to both govern
ments. Both the japanese in China and
the Chinese in Japan have been looking to
the United States for protection since diplo-
matte relations between the two beliigerents
were severed.
1t was learned today that diplomatic CORE
clined to hold the view that japanese who
appealed to him for protection were en-
titled to the same protection from our diplo-
matte officers that would be given to Amer
lean citizens, but was advised by the State
Department that this was carrying protec-
ton of subjects of other nations too far.
Acting Secretary of State Uhl, when
shown the Shanghai dispatch, said that
some time ago the American minister had
been informed by the State Department
that the United States could interpose with
friendly offices only as to the difficulties be-
tween the two countries or the citizens of
one country temporarily residing In the
other. The japanese prisoners, who had
been under the protection of the United
States had been arrested by the Chinese au-
thorities and turned over to the French
consul, under the belief that he had author
ity to try them. AS he had no such author
ity, the French consul gave the prisoners In
charge of the American consul, who thought
he had jurisdiction to try them.
The State Department informed the
United States minister. however, that the
United States consuls have no Jurisdiction
over the subjects Of one country in the
other Its copsulates can afford no asylum
to the subjects Of one country while in the
other.
The American consulates could afford
temporary shelter for q citizen Of Japan in
threatened, but upon the demand of the
Chinese authorities the person would have
to be Immediately surrendered. All that
the American conSulS can do is to ask for
humane and fair treatment Of these per-
sons, who are citizens Of one country but
living in the other.
Evidently the minister has acted in ac-
cordance with this view In giving up the
two japanese, hut requesting that they be
fairly dealt with.