Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-27
NO DECLARATION
Continued from page ~

i the foreign forces at Pekin, japanese
and Russian cavalry We're expected IL
encounter them on the 10th. The DIS
patch further states that Chinese IN
fantry, some 5000 strong with 10 guns
are advancing northward from Shar
| Tung to make a rear attack on the al
| lies
A copy of the dispatch was transmit
| ted to Acting Secretary Adee. ana py
him furnished to the President. While
/ the news of possible rear attack up
on the comparatively small force OF the
allies was not received with surprise
it generally was not regarded as seri-
Gus. as the foreign forces are believed
to be able to take care of themselves.
In the absence of official Information
from China or from the United states
officials here interest. today, conferred
in the diplomatic phrases OF the East
ern trouble.
The rumor of q declaration OF war by
Russia it is explained may nave grown
out of the operations of the troops "i
the car in the protection OF the south
eastern frontier of his empire; or II
may have arisen that reported state
ment OF the command of the Russian
forces at Pekin that his government
was at war with China and, therefor,
he must prohibit communication with
the Chinese. Neither the operations OF
Russia on her frontier nor the prohibi-
| ton by a Russian general OF commun-
cation with the Russian will constitute
| il is said a declaration OF war by
| Russia No general. by a mere dictu!n
can declare war. Even his statement
that his government had declared war
would not make il 50. a declaration OF
war. ii is pointed out by the best au-
| thorities is a perfectly dintinct and OBJ
vious proceeding.
The understanding among Washing
ton officials OF Russia's action is that
the empire has declared the three prov
inces on its southeastern frontier in q
state of siege. This is altogether iiftrr-
ent from Il declaration of war. II cor
responds To declaration Of mar'ifl
law by Great Britain and to a suSpen-
sion of the right of habeas corpus by
the United States. 1t is suppression
Of civil by military authority. 1t has
no effect upon such treaties as may Dc
in force between the countries where
as Il declaration of war or Il decIara-
tare up all treaties.
1t is pointed out further that Russia
has two objects in her present opera
tons in China-tht rescue and prutec-
ton of the foreign legationers and the
protection of her menaced frontier. The
ayuwed object Of the other powers is
simply rescue and protection of the
legationers and other foreign subjects.
In cardying out her second object.
Russia has seized New Chwang. This
was done to obtain a base of operations
from which the frontier could easily be
reached. precisely as Taku was seized
as base of operations by the allies in
their operations against Pekin.
Whether. in the event of a declaration
of war by one or more Of the powers
against China. an invitation Of war by
one or more of the powers against
China. an invitation would be extende d
to the United States To retire from
China. as minated in the dispatch
from che Foo is open to doubt: and it
is decidedly problematical it is said
whether the invitation would be ac-
cepted. even if it We're rendered. The
United States forces are in China pro-
tecting the personal ana property rights
of citizens OF this country. and. in ad-
dition. the treaty rights of the United
States. Under the most favored nation
clause. this country has certain spe-
cific rights in China and il is said on
authority to be the purpose OF the
United States 10 protect and preserve
those rights. The attitude this govern
ment would assume in the event of
declaration Of war by another power
would depend. it can be stated upon
the immediate circumstances surround
ing the declaration and the situation
in China at the time the declaration
was made. In any event. it can be
said to be part Of the purpose Of the
United States to sacrifice any Of its
guaranteed rights or privileges in the
Chinese empire.