The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-08-27
HAVE NOT DECLARED WAR
THE REPORT REG4RDING RUSSIA
GERMANY AND JAPAN.
Not Taken Seriously In Washington :
High OfficiaI Authority for the
Statement that the Three Nations
Named Have Not Made Any Such Dec
Inrntion Either Separately or In
Concert.

Concert.
| Washington, Aug. 26.-Russia, Ger
many and Japan have not declared war
upon China, either separately or in con-
cert. This statement is made upon au-
trorty of the highest character, What
those nations may do within the next
forty-eight hours, or within the next
fortnight is a question which no one in
Washington is prepared to answer.
A brief dispatch from Che Foo con-
veying rumor current there that Rus
sia, Germany and Japan had Joined in a
declaration of war upon China aroused
some interested comment among Wash
ington officials and among diplomatic
representatives of foreign governments
resident here. In neither official nor
diplomatic circles, however, was the
rumor taken seriously. No informa tion
of such action has reached either the
department of state or the legations Of
the governments primarily interested.
That fact alone is accepted in official
circles as sufficient refutation of the
rumor
Officials of the state, war and navy
departments were at their desks early
to-day; but up to the hour of closing
for the day not word had been heard
from Minister Conger, General Chaffee
or Admiral Remey. Since the dispatch
from Consul Fowler was received late
last Thursday night, the department of
state has received no advices from any
sources in China, except brief cable
gram from Minister Conger inquiring
how he should route his messages. The
text of the dispatch, which, is was ex-
planned was very brief and purely ad-
ministrative in character, was not
made public.
The rumor of declaration of war by
Russia, it was explained may have
grown out of the operations of the
troops Of the car in the protection of
the southeastern frontier of his empire
or it may have arisen from the re9orted
statement of the commander of the
Russian forces at Pekin that his gov
ernment was at war with China and,
therefore, he must prohibit communca-
ton with the Chinese. Neither the op-
erations of Russia on her frontier nor
the prohibition by a Russian general of
communicat ton with the Chinese would
constitute, it is said, declara ton of
war by Russia. No general by mere
dictum, could declare war Even his
statement that his government had de-
clared war would not make it so. A
declaration of war, it is pointed out,
by the best authorities is a perfectly
distinct and obvious 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 a
state OF siege. This is altogether dr.
ferent from a declaration of war. 1t
to a declaration of martial
law by Great Britain and to a suspen-
sion of the right of habeas corpus by
the United States. IT is supercession
of civil by military authority. 1t has
no effect upon such treaties as may be
in force between the two countries;
where, as a declaration of war or a
declaration that state of war exists !
would tear up all treaties.
1t is pointed out further that Russia
has two objects in her present opera
tionn in China-the rescue and protec- |
lion of her foreign legationers. and the !
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