The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-27

attack the allies
A copy of the dispatch was transmitted
to Acting Secretary Adee at the Depart
ment of State and by him furnished to the
President. While the news of a possible
rear attack on the comparatively small
force of the allies was not received with
surprise, it generally was not regarded
as serious. the foreign forces are be-
lieved to be abundantly able to take care
OF themselves against any force of Chinese
likely 20 be sent against them.
DIPLOMATIC PHASES.
In the absence OF official information
from China or from United States officers
there interest to-day centered i'm the diplo-
matte phases of the existing trouble. The
rumor of a declaration of war by Russia.
IL Is explained, may have grown out of the
operations of the troops of the Car in the
protection of the southeastern frontier of
ms empire, or II may have arisen from
the reported statement of the commander
Oh the Russian forces at Peking that his
government was at war with China and
therefore he must prohibit communication
with the Chinese. Neither the operations
or Russia on her frontier nor the prohibi-
uon by Russian general of communica-
tion with the Chinese would constitute. it
is said. declaration of war by Russia.
NO general by a mere dictum could declare
war Even his statement that his govern
ment had declared war would not make
IL so.
declaration OF war, it is pointed out by
| the best authority, is a perfectly distinct
/ and obvious proceeding. In this country a
declaration of war may be made only by
| Congress Only once in the present century
| has sucn declaration been made, namely,
In 1872 against Great Britain.
1 War may exist actually between the
United States and another country, as was
the case between this country and Mexico,
without action by Congress. The Mexican
war had progressed fourteen months be-
fore action was taken by Congress. Troops
| of the United States had invaded Mexico
and several important battles had been
fought before Congress. to insure the legal
| ity OF the contest and TO protect the rights
| of the United States as probable con-
| queror. declared that a state of war had
| existed from date fourteen months prior
| to the action of Congress. Congress did
not declare war against Spain. 'It declared
| simply that a state of war existed from
| specified time.
Among European nations the method of
| procedure is simpler. but quite as obvious
War is declared by them by edict or proc
| lamation. 1t may be declaration of war
| or IL may be the official recognition that a
state of war exists. In either event the
news of such action would be published to
the world Immediately. Diplomatic repre-
| sentatives of the power making the decla-
ration would be notified instantly, i'm order
| that they might communicate the informa-
| ton to the governments of the countries to
| which they were accredited. The informa-
ton, too, would be conveyed at once to the
| nation against which the declaration was
| made In turn this nation would notify its
| diplomatic representatives abroad that they
| might govern themselves accordingly
Within three hours after the official dec
laration of Congress that the United States
was at war with the kingdom of Spain, the
Spanish government hau on the wires an
! identical note TO all governments TO which
IL had accredited Representatives, notify
ing them of the existence of state of war
between Spain and the United States.
RUSSIAN OBJECTS.
The understanding among Washington
officials of Russias action is that the en-
pire has declared the three provinces on its
southeastern frontier in a state of siege
| This is altogether different from declara-
ton of war. 1t corresponds to a declara-
tion Of martial law by Great Britain and
to suspension of the right of habeas cor
pus by the United States 1t is superces-
sion of civil by military authority. 1t has
no effect upon such treaties as may be in
force between the two countries; whereas,
declaration of war or a declaration that
state of war exists would annul all trea-
ties.
1t is pointed out, further, that Russia
has two objects in her present operations
in China-the rescue and protection of the
foreign legationers and the protection of
her menaced frontier. The avowed object
of the other powers is simply the rescue
and protection of the legationers and other
foreign subjects. In carrying out her sec
ond object Russia has seized New-Chwang.
This was done to obtain base of opera
be reached. precisely as Taku was seized as
a base of operations by the allies i'm their
| operations against Pekng
Whether. in the event of declaration of
war by one or more powers against China.
| an invitation would be extended to the
United States TO retire from China, as inti-
| l-dtcu III tire ulSpdlCH lTOH Cne-FOO, Is
| open TO doubt; and it is decidedly problem
| atical, 1T is said. whether the Invitation
would be accepted. even If it were ten
dered. The United States forces are in
China protecting the personal and 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 specific
rights in China. and 1t is said. on authority.
to be the purpose of the United States to
protect and preserve those rights. The
attitude this government would assume in
the event of declarations of war by an
other power would depend it can be stated.
on immediate circumstances surrounding
the declaration and the situation in China
at the time the declaration was made In
any event 1t can be said to be no part of
the purpose of the United States TO sacrifice
any of its guaranteed rights or privileges
in the Chinese empire.
| Few Replies to Notes.
| WASHINGTON. Aug. 2s-It was stated
tonight that several struggling replies
mad been received by the United States to