The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-06-08
CH|NA'S HOUR OF PERIL
Will Be Dismonoared if She Takes
Part in War.
NOT WANTED AS ALLY BY JAPAN

american Government Doing All in 1ts
Power to Prevent the Outbreak Which
Greedy European Powers Are Hoping
Pledges Which Have Been Made to
This Government by Leading Chinese.
Washington. D. C.-Tha State De-
partment has automatically warned
China that if she allows herself to be
drawn into the wal between Russia
and japan. the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the
Chinese Empire will probably follow.
Some Of the European nations which
signed the neutrality agreement of
Secretary Hay are watching China
with greedy eyes. awaiting a violation
of neutrality on her part as a pretext
to step in and grasp territory which
they have long desired.
State Department officials do not be-
lieve the Chinese Government means to
take any active part in the Japanese
Russian war, but is taking every pre-
caution to impress upon China the ne
cessity of maintaining neutrality.
Additional assurances have been re-
ceived by the State Department from
~China-either from United States Min
lister, Conger, at Pekin. or from Sir
Liang-Chang, the Chinese Minister
here-that China will keep out of the
Far Eastern imbroglio. and realizes
that her integrity depends upon the
maintenance Of neutrality. No cred
ence is placed at the State Department
in the reports emanating from st.
Petersburg that Japan and China have
laid a trap for Russia which has for
its object the driving of the Russian
army into Mongolia. and the conSe-
queDt uprising Of China "to repel the
invaders" On the contrary Japan is
said to be more anxious than any other
Power that China keep out Of the war.
and feels that she alone is capable of
dealing with Russia.
Whether or not there will be an up
rising of the Chinese similar to the
Boxer outbreak of 1900 cannot of
course be foreseen: but it seems that
fear of such an outbreak exists. Adj
vices from China indicate that a feel
ing of unrest exists among the common
people which might at any time take
the form of an actual outbreak against
foreigners, and especially against all
who sympathize with Russia. That the
Chinese people are with Japan heart
and soul in the present war is evident,
but it is hoped by the State Depart
ment that the powerful influence of the
Viceroys may be sufficiently strong to
keep the people in check.
st. Petersburg, RusSia.-The Chinese
Minister here has given L oreign Minis
ter Lamsdorf fresh assurances of the
purpose Of his Government not to vio-
late its neutrality and to preserve tran
guilty throughout the Empire.
While there has not been the slight
est fear that the peace Of the Empire
would be disturbed or that my Gov
eminent would intervene in the war"
said the Chinese Minister, ST was still
Heemed wise to communicate to
Pekin ana Viceroy Yuan Shi Kai.
eommander-in-chief of the Chinese
forces, the sensational rumors circu-
ating in Europe.
The Chinese Foreign Office tele-
graphically reiterated that China is de-
termined to continue to observe the
strictest neutrality. gi-ing support
neither to Russia nor japan.
"Viceroy Yuan Stl Kai ~telegraphed
that the l1mors OF impending upris-
hgs were without oundation and as
sured me that a repetition of the Boxer
revolt Of 1900 ,7as impossible.
The Viceroy is a strong man, who
can be depended upon to preserve or
der. The of the army. consisting
Of 10000 men is distributed in small
detachments throughout the vast terri
tory, which undoubtedly is under Chi
nese control. Its duty is to maintain
peace and see that neutral territory is
not violated by either Delligerent."