Evening star., 1904-03-18
CHINA REVIEWS HER PLEDGE.
Promises That She Will Maintain the
Strictest Neutrality.

A cablegram from ST. Petersburg says:
United States Ambassador McCormick mas
communicated to the government memo
randum containing the assurance received
by United States Minister Conger from the
Chinese authorities at Peking pledging the
neutrality of China while the neutral terri
tory is respected by the belligerents. Salts
faction is expressed here at this new as
surance of China's neutrality.
The Russians deny that they have any
intention of going west of the Lao region.
The railroad from Peking west of the river,
from Niuchwang and to Sin-mintin, Rus
sia considers in neutral territory and be-
yond the sphere of operations unless the
japanese invade 1t.
The Chinese legation here has assured the
Associated Press most positively that the
government at Peking intends not only to
observe the strictest neutrality during the
war between Russia and Japan, but that
the government thoroughly realizes the
danger threatening the integrity of the
Celestial empire in case 1t should become
embroiled in the conflict.
Can Play Only One Role.
1--WE are well aware" said a member or
the legation, that the eyes of other pow
ers are watching our every movement, and
we know also what Is being said about
general uprising against foreigners Should
no chance whatever for our giving the
slightest ground for complaint.
China can play only one role during the
war, namely, that of absolute quiescence.
l will not deny that there is some pro-Japa-
nese feeling among my countrymen, but
there is also a good deal of pro-Russian
feeling One neutralizes the other.
Il know nothing officially" continued
the informant of the Associated Press,
Concerning China's new neutrality under
taking q
ports are doubtless correct. We are not
carrying on negotiations with the Russian
government here, but l believe that some
matters are being discussed at Peking
Merely Guarding Their Frontier.
II see no reason why the fullest agree
ment should not be reached with Russia
Our position is very clear. We have 10000
men guarding our frontier of Manchuria
This force is intended solely to maintain
order and to prevent either of the belliger-
ents entering our territory. The talk of
the foreign newspapers about General Ma
making common cause with the japanese is
nonsense. Should the japanese attempt a
landing On our coast they would be re-
sisted"
Eastern War Notes.
A st. Petersburg correspondent of the
Echo de Paris says Gen. Kuropatkin tele-
graphs that he has passed Omsk and he
adds that tomorrow there will be 230 600
Russian troops concentrated between IIar-
bin and Port Arthur.
The Japanese authorities at Seoul have
been advised that the Russian cavalry in
northern Korea have partly recrossed the
Yalu river and that Cossack battery has
also withdrawn. A small Russian force still
occupies Chong Ju.
Five thousand engineers are now en-
ployed in the building of the military rail-
road from Seoul to Win. Only few miles
have been completed. Civilians working
on the railroad from Seoul to Fusan. This
road cannot be completed before next Oc-
tober.
script, a special session OF the Japanese
diet opened today. NJ. Matsuda, the leader
of the SeiyuKai party formed by Marquis
Ito, was elected president of the house of
representatives.
The ministry of marine at st. Petersburg
has directed the institution of prize courts
| at sebastopol Libau Port Arthur and
Yladiyostok.