The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-27
UNITED STATES
WILL PROTECT
TREATY RIGHTS

lHEAl1 KlUn ,
[Concluded from Page IL
it generally was not regarded as seri-
Gus, as the foreign forces are believed
to be abundantly able to take care of
themselves against any force of Chi
nese likely 10 be sent against them.
Diplomatic Phases.
In the absence Of official information
from China or from United States Of
fcers, interest today centered in the
diplomatic phases Of the existing
trouble. The rumor of a declaration
of war by Russia, it is explained. may
have grown out of the operations Of
the troops of the czar In the protection
of the southeastern frontier of the en-
pire, or 1t may have arisen from the
reported statement of the commander
of the Russian forces at Pekin that
his government was at war with China
and, therefore, he must not profess
friendship with the Chinese. Neither
the actions of Russia nor the prohibi-
tion by the Russian general of COM
munication with Chinese would consti-
tute a declaration of war by Russia.
No general by a mere dictum could
declare war. Even his statement that
his government had declared war
would not make it so.
A declaration of war, It is pointed
out by the best authorities is a per-
fectly distinct and obvious proceeding.
In this country a declaration of war
may be made only by congress. Only
ODpa in tbic conDtru has c11ph 6arla.
ration been made, namely, in 1912,
against Great Britain. War may ex-
list between the United States and an
other country, as was the case be-
tween this country and Mexico, with
out action by congress. The Mexican
war had progressed fourteen months
before action was taken by congress.
Troops of the United States had in
vaded Mexico and several important
battles had been fought before con-
gress, to insure the legality of the
contest and to protect the rights OF the
United States as a probable conqueror,
declared that a state of war had eX-
listed from date fourteen months
! prior to the action of congress. Con-
| gress did not declare war against
| Spain. 1t declared simply that state
of war existed from specified time.
European Methods.
Among Europeans the method of
procedure is simpler, but quite as OBJ
vious. War is declared by them bv
edict or proclamation. 1t may be a
| declaration of war or it may be the
official recognition that a state OF war
exists. In either event the news OF
| hA
world Immediately. Diplomatic repre-
sentatives of the power making the
declaration would be notified instantly
In order that they might communicate
the information to the governments
OF the countries to which they are ac,
credited. The information, too, would
be conveyed at once to the natior
against which the declaration wa,
made. In turn this nation would no
tify It's diplomatic representative
abroad that they might govern them
selves accordingly. Within three hour.
after the official declaration Of con
Gress that the United States was a
war with the kingdom OF Spain thu
Spanish government had on the wire
an Identical note to all government
to which II had accredited represen
tatives notifying them of the existenc,
of a state of war between Spain anC
the United States.
Russia's Action.
The understanding among Washing
ton officials of Russias action is tina
the empire has declared that the thre
provinces on it's southeastern frontie
are in q state OF siege. This is alto
/ I - "a
war. 1t amounts to a declaration o
martial law by Great Britain and
suspension of habeas corpus by tn
United States. 1t is a suppression o
civil by military authority. 1t has n
effect upon such treaties as may b
in force between the two countries
whereas, a declaration of war or a dec
laration that a state OF war exist
would tear up all treaties. 1t Is point
ed out further, that Russia has tw
objects in her present operations /
China--the rescue and protection G
the foreign legations and the proteC
tion of her menaced frontier. TIL
avowed object of the other powers
simply the rescue and protection {
the legationers and other foreign sui
, jects.
In carrying out her second objec
Russia has seized new Chwang. Th
was done to obtain a base OF opera
. tions from which the frontier coul
easily be reached, especially as TAX
. was seized as a base Of operation
= by the allies in their operation
against Pekin.
. Course of the United States.
Whether. in the event OF a declar,
, tion of war by one or more of II
g powers against China an invitatio
IS would be extended to the Unite
"A States to retire from China as int