The herald., 1898-05-01
DELAY NOT UNWELCOME
AS DEWEY MAY HAVE NEED OF
AN OPEN PORT
CHINA'S FRIENDSHIP STRONG
But Does Not Go to the Extent Of
Desiring the Enmity Of
the Spanish
Associated Press Special Wire


WASHINGTON, April 3O.-The Chinese
minister, Mr.. WI Ting Fang, called at the
state department today and had a talk
with officials concerning the war situation.
He did not bring q notice of Chna's neu-
trality, nor has he received word thus far
from his government thai China will de-
clare her neutrality. Tho authorities
here would not be displeasel If China with
held her decree month later, as such
course might be of distinct advantage to
the United States, in case Commodore
: Dewey's fleet fails to effect a landing on
the Philippines, and is obliged to seek some
open port. With an American fleet In
Asiatic waters this becomes hazardous
unless belligerent port is captured or
neutral port remains open. Up to today
all countries occupying Eastern Aslauc
territory had declared neutrality, except
China. The notice of Korea was given
two days ago, thus closing the port of
CheInulpo. Japan gave notice today, thus
closing all Japanese ports, including Yoko-
hama, which is the most advantageous
harbor in Asiatic waters, and nearer the
Philippines than any other port. The
British and French DEGREES closed Hong
Kong and ports Of British India and
French Tonquin.
When Mr.. WI Ting Fang was seen at
the Chinese legation tonight he said that,
having received no notice of Chna's neu-
trality, he presumed none had been issued
by the imperial government.
At the same time he had noticed press
dispatches that the American fleet left
Mrs bay, which is a Chinese possess
sion, owing to a condition Of neutrality.
The minister believed this condition, if
made, was given by the viceroy. and APP
plies only to the province If Canton. AS
to whether the emperor VIII decree neu-
trality, he is not able to say. 1t Is remem-
bered, however, that no decree of neutral
ity was issued during the Tranco-Prus-
sian war; and that China has not been in
the habit of isuing neutrality DEGREES on
the outbreak of wars in other parts of the
world. Now, however, that China is
keeping in touch with the methods of in
ternational procedure, this former mac
ton may give way to the adoption CT an
attitude of neutrality. This would have
been during the Franco Prusslan war, lad
not President Grant used his good offices
to bring about an arrangement by which
French and German ships at Asiatic ports
rofrained from hostilitjes while there.
While China entertains the most friendly
feeling towards the United States, Mr.. WI
feels that this would not Justify the with
holding of neutrality if it in any way re-
bounded to the advantage Of the United
States as against Spain, as that would ar
ray Spain against China.
China has large number of treaty ports
with fine harbors scattered along her
coast. They are we'll equipped with coal
and other supplies, and any one of them
would be most advantageous as a harbor
for the American fleet in case one was re-
CURED in the far cast. 1t is said, how
ever, that even without neutrality de-
cree by China thes, harb, rs could not be
used as a naval .ase OF operations. At
most, they could be used only for tenn
porary refuge, and for sucn coal and sup.
plies, would take the American feet to the
next port.
The authorities feel chat the United
States would have profted much by Sc
curing coaling station from China dur
Ing the recent controversy which led to
Germany's securing Kiao Chau bay as a
coalinS station, Russia securing Port Ar
thur and England securing Wei Hal Wei
There is good reason to believe that the
friendly spirit of China toward the United
States would have made it possible for
the United States to have secured the har-
Dor of Mrs bay or some other advant-
ageous point on the Chinese coast. At the
present time, however, it is this China
could not voluntarily grant without as
Stunning distinctly hostile attitude to-
ward Spain. 1t is possible that Chinese
neutrality decree may be issued any
day, and yet the delay is in no way |
exciting the authorities here, owing to the |
feeling that it leaves China's ports open |
to Commodore Dewey's fleet
Portuguese Action
The Portuguese minister called at the |
state department today, and gave official |
notice of Portugals neutrality.
Afterward the minister eXpi essed regret |
at the published reports attribpting de-
lay to Portugals disposition to favor
Spain as against the United States. TIE
minister says that such reports are ur..
warranted, and the official dispatch.
which he received from Lisbon last night
shows that the authorities at Lisbon
acted with promptness. The dispatch
stated that the notice of declaration of
war was received at Lisbon on the 2stb
whereupon a meeting of the council of
state was called imme iiately for the fol-