The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-20
OUR GOVERNMENTS AIM
Was Definitely Announced in Mr.. Hays Note
of July 3rd.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, July 19.-In the absence
of direct news from China this morning,
attention was directed mainly to the more
or less speculative stories emanating from
European capitals Indicative of dscord
among the powers. 1t is realized that
these little bulletins of mutual suspicion
always characterize allied movements,
and so are to be expected in the pres
ent case. 1t can be stated that, SO far
as official discloses, there is absolutely
no ground for them.
Our Government having fully defined
it's intentions in Secretary Hays note of
July 3rd, the other Governments inter-
ested in the Chinese situation have en-
tered into the spirit of that declaration
Df principle with perfect accord At
least that is the record, both written
and oral and Russia, a power more than
any other under suspicion in these stories,
has not been backward in assuring the
State Department of the coincidence Of
Secretary Hays declaration with Rus
sia's purpose in China. 1t is, of course
possible that some of the powers are
swayed by motives that do not appear
in their formal declaration. The State
Department. however, cannot go behind
their formal expression and can now only
await results.
MINISTER WI STILL UNRESTRAINED.
There is not the slightest disposition
on the part of our Government to follow
the example of certain European powers
and restrict in any measure the liberty
of the Chinese Minister here, Mr. WI,
in communicating with the Chinese Vice
roys and whatever remains Of the tituar
CSinese Government. On the contrary
crediting the Minister with an earnest
desire to do everything in his power to
protect foreigners in the Chinese Empire
and confident that he has no sympathy
with the insurrectionary boxer element
the State Department regards it as good
policy to facilitate, rather than obstruct
his communications with the Chinese
Nieeroys. Acting itself on this theory,
the State Department does not credit
the stories that any Of the Chinese Min
listers in Europe have been given their
passports.
If there should be a declaration of war
| by Russia upon China, based on what is
said to have occurred on the Siberian
border, the technical relations of the allied
powers towards China, might, it is said
here, undergo radical change. 1t is be-
lieved that the story of Boxer activity
is considerably exaggerated SO far as it
relates to the country north of the Siber-
ian border, and it is hoped that the
troubles have been confined to Manchuria.
But if war should actually and formally
open between Russia and China, that fact
might oblige the other powers to do one
of two things; either join in the declara-
tion of war, or withdraw their forces
from Chinese soil.
Minister WI and Mr.. Wollant, the Rus
sian Charge, again called upon Secretary
Hay this morning, but neither had news
from China.
Developments in the military situation
today were the formal designation of
Brigadier General Chaffee as a major
general Of volunteers and making Of other
arrangements for a prolonged campaign
on l4rge scale in China.
The officials hope that it will be short,
but they are preparing to send coal and
winter clothing, so they are getting ready
for the other contingency.