The evening times., 1900-07-19

eial character from representatives OF the
! United States in China this morning in
/ terest at the White House and the de-
partments was concentrated on the report
that Russia had declared that a state of
war exists in the Russian Provinces bor-
this report was generally accepted as au-
thentic, the effect that such move might
have on the Eastern question was discuss
ed from variety of premises.
Mr.. De WoIIant, Charge d'Afaires Of
Russia. was an early visitor at the State
| Department. He said that he had heard
nothing to confirm the report that Rus
sia had declared that state OF war ex-
lists on her Chinese border
Some OF the officials at the state De-
partment said this afternoon that the pow
| ers would hardly act as allies TO Russia If
that tion began a fierce campaign Of
slaughter and conquest. There would, it
was said. be all TO gain for Russia. while
the nations acting merely as guardians OF
their respective rights and properties n
China could but supply troops and ammu-
milton with no result except to play into
Russias hands and give her the benefit Of
their allied forces.
It was doubted by many that the United
States would join with Russia in devasJat-
ing the Celestial Empire. while the other
powers remained neutral. and IN the opln-
/ ion Of the diplomats. such an event would
az once create dissension and lack Of ac-
/ ticn.
The State Department officials claim
| that Russia had been informed as 70 the
attitude Of the others powers in the mat
ter Of q declaration Of hosuIiues, and had
( to ali in,ents and purposes agreed 10 stand
upon the same footing as the other allies.
Therefore the declaration of war seems TO
{ create an international complication which
may result in the withdrawal Of the forces
] Il -ome Of the other powers.
Relying on the Agreement.
According to the views expressed at the
State Department. it is this agreement
which had been the main factor in causing
this Government to refrain from any de-
claration Of war. I, is said in good faith
that the United States has as great cause
as Russia TO declare war against China.
but in the interest OF the restoration Of
/ peace had refraiued from such action.
Some Of the officials sail that in the
light of their knowledge r. Russia's pre-
viOus attitude in the present crisis. they
/ could find no reason for a radicaIehange.
While it has been belle ed that Russia
and Germany were endeavoring TO have an
understanding among the powers as to the
extent of Japan's use of her large contin-
gent Of troops in North China. they were
supposed to be in accord with the other
/ nations as TO general policy.
The communications received by this
/ Government from Russia in the exchanges
among the powers now going on had shown
| that her apparent purpose had been to act
with the other European nations, Japan,
and the United States in restoring order
and protecting foreigners. Russia had vir-
| tually endorsed the position Of the United
| States as given in the declaration Of prin-
| ciples sent to the powers on July by the
Secretary Of State, with he possible ex-
ception of the declaration against the par
/ titiOn Of China She appeared to be op-
posed to declaring wax at this time. beIiev-
ing with the other nations that the best
results could be attained by Withholding
such 4 declaration.
The fact that Russian territory had
been invaded by Chinese troops was not
| regarded as changing the situation any
more than it was changed by the killing
of the German Minister by Chinese troops.
| The powers proceeded on the theory that
| the Chinese Government was willing to
protect foreigners and that any Imper ial
| troops engaged in the anti-foreign crusade.
including those that have invaded Russian
| territory, were in revolt
Nothing From American Sources
| No word was received from any source
in China by any Of the Government Off
cials during the morning Secretary Hay
received eahlegram from Consul General
Goodnow, at Shanghai. during the after
noon. but refused to make the contents
| public 1t is understood that the Boxers
are beginning to show open hostility to
| foreigners in that city AMI that aid is
asked from this Government No word
came from either Admiral Kempr or Ad-
miral Remey, and it is supposed that the
situation is still unchanged.
Mr.. WI called at the State Department
during the morning and seemed disan-
pointed at not receiving any news. He still
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