Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-19
RUSSIA AND CHINA
A Declaration of War by the Former
Would Alter Conditions.
OUR TROOPS WOULD Be WITHDRAWN
Appointment of Special Diplomatic
Agent Discussed.
NO NGE OF PLAN

The point of special interest in the Chi
nese situation this morning is the threat
ened declaration of war against China by
Russia on account of the frontier demon
STATIONS, independently of the action of
the other powers. This government as yet
possesses no information as to the intention
of Russia. or the accuracy of the reports
from St. Petersburg. The Russian charge,
who saw Secretary Hay this morning, could
give no information on the subject.
War Would End Cooperation.
If war is openly declared between Russia
and China it will materially change the
pect of affairs. According to the best avail
able authority, 1t would speedily put an
end to the operations of the allied forces,
inasmuch as the United States has not de-
clared war against China, and does not in
tend to do so upon the meager information
now in our possession. Our troops would
probably be speedily withdrawn from China
should there be declaration of war be-
tween Russia and China before further de-
yelopmentS draw us deeper into the entan-
clement. 1t is said that under conditions
of actual open war there would be no place
for our troops in China unless we were
parties to the hostilties, and that. there
fore, If Russia and China should go to war
on an account of our own, our troops would
be withdrawn and the two nations at war
be left to fight ii out between themselves
1t is said that the only contingency under
which we would maintain an army in
China, with such condition of war exist
ing. would be the development of a state of
facts which would compel US to de-
clare war against China - that would be
the establishment of the fact that our min
lister at Pekin had been murdered. and that
the Chinese government was responsible
for the murder. If this should become es-
tablished as a fact. 1t would then be for
Congress to determine whether there should
be a declaration of war. but In the absence
of a declaration of war by Congress. there
would be no participation by this govern
ment in hostlities under the declaration of
war by another power, and our troops
would be withdrawn.
Why Troops Are in China.
From the point of view of this govern
ment the presence of our troops in China
Is for the purpose of rescuing and protect
ing American citizens-not as a punitive
expedition. The question of reparation or
of war is a thing to be considered apart
from the operations for relief and protec-
ton. Preparation is to be had for a wrong
done we will go about it in our own way.
AS long as the other powers are operating
upon the same theory of a state of war not
existing, cooperation is not only possible,
but essential: but ii would be impossible
for US to cooperate with a power at war
with China. while we were technically not
at war. Until it is ascertained with GER
taiuty that our minister is dead or that he
is alive and removed from danger from the
mob the effort to effect his rescue and that
of Americans under his protection must
continue. When all doubt on this point is
removed our troops will probably be with
drawn if a state of declared war exists be-
tween China and any other power. In
this event the American interests in China
Will he protected by the presence of
strong a fleet available for the service as
can be assembled in Chinese waters and
vicinity.
No Change of Plan.
Meanwhile. in the absence of information
as to the intentions of Russia and China
toward each other as Independent powers
and without knowledge as to whether the
ministers at Pekin have or have not been
murdered no change of plan Is contem-
plated until developments demand it. If
the graver question Of dealing with China
as a nation responsible for the murder of
our minister and his household shall arise
1t is said that the matter will be proceeded
with in the spirit of calm elaboration which
Its immense gravity demands. The with
drawal of our troops account of dec
laration of war between Russia and China,
should this happen, would in no way preju-
dice our claim upon China for reparation,
nor our right to infiict punishment for a
crime committed. nor our interest in the
maintenance of the integrity of the empire
in accordance with the policy announced by
Secretary Hay.
Special Diplomatic Agent.
The President and the cabinet have been
considering the appointment of a special
diplomatic representative agent to
China. and it is probable that within a
short time ex-Assistant Secretary of State
w. W. Rockhill will be appointed to such
of the bureau of American republics but
was assistant secretary of state under Sec
rotary Olney. and was also secretary of the
legation at Pek!n for a number of years.
He has not only had experience in China,
but he speaks the native Chinese language,
as well as several dialects. He has also
Travelled extensively in the east. and has
long been considered the authority on Chi
nese questions. During the present situa-
ton he has been consulted frequently by
Secretary Hay, and ever since the an
nCuncement of the massacre of the foreign
ministers. including Mr.. Conger, at Pekn,
Secretary Hay has been considering the
subject of appointing some one who can
act in diplomatic way in China and
through whom the State Department can
communicate and receive communications
from the far east. Il would be impossible
~ this time TO appoint new minister to
China. for there has been no official notifi-
cation of the death of Minister Conger nor
does the State Department know who is
the official head of the Chinese govern
ment. and therefore could not accredit any
one TO the Chinese government in the alb
sence of any official knowledge as TO what
constitutes the Chinese government at
present.