The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-19

/ IN the harbOr.
Cutting Out" the Ryeshitelni.
/ That night came two japanese men
of-war. The japanese commander dis
covered the Russian ship in exactly the
state have described. lie attacked our
snip. boarded her. and attempted to run
up the japanese colors.
The Russians. recognizing this as an
( unlawful act, defended the ship with
their hards In the hand to hand strug-
gle which ems ed the japanese com
mander was tn own overheard but su-
/ perior numbers prevailed. and the Rus
sian ship was allen out OF this neutral
port as a prize.
The Chinese were in duty bound not
70 have permitted the japanese 10 en-
ter the hsrDor. They were bound net
TO have permitted the attack. and they
were bound not to have permitted the
contamination ~ this act OF piracy BY
! the removal OF the Russian ship"
what steps have been taken by your
government
Russia Is Released.
Il am Tot further advised beyond the
fact THAI we have entered q strong pro-
test 10 Japan through the French min
ister' who represents Russian interests
at Tokyo. ! have no information that a
protest has been sent by Russia 10 the
other powers, who are almost equally
concerned with Russia I presume a
protest has been sent 20 China, but of
that ] am not advised.
What neXt?"
That Is the important question What
neNt2 What are the other nations going
10 do? Surely we cannot be bound
II China viii not respect It herself. We
certainly cannot overlook this act any
further than we can overlook similar
acts In the future.
Hays Work Set Aside.
at would seem to me TO be a time
for action by Europe and the United
State. I do not mean that some ex-
traordinary step should be taken. Japan
seems determined not only not to recog-
nlze the neutrality Of China, but not to
recognize international law, and yet
Europe and the United States are pleged
20 the neutrality OF China end to the
Observance OF international law
The importance OF this thing as II
appears to me, Is that II nothing Is done
the great act Of Mr.. Hay in keeping
China out OF the connict-an act which
we all recognize as making for the
peace Of the world-becOmes absolutely
null and void"
Shall It Fail Through Piracy?
1T Is the duty OF every government TO
give the most serious and immediate at
>
was recognized as a clever and beneficial
idea. Was It worth while? Certainly
it was. Shall II now fall to the ground
because of this wanton act OF piracy by
a nation pledged to an agreement such
as that? II China ceases TO be neutral.
what then? That is the question which
should be discussed seriously"
1t is stated that JaDan's excuse is
that the commander of the Ryeshitelni
~ H. 81
II IS also urged that a Russian consul
In Chinese territory Is suspected OF be-
ing in wireless communication with Port
Arthur
And the moon is made OF green
cheese; Nothing can be pleaded in ex-
tenuation o. this act. There is no ques-
ton Of the facts. The foreign consuls
IN their reports all agree. Even the
British consul has reported the facts.
though I sec that Great Britain now
says that Japan must have time for
explanation. whatever that may mean"
Will Wait on Hay.
What steps will you take?'
1t is Impossible for me to say until
have seen Mr.. Hay. the Secretary Of
State. I am sure that not government.
except Japan. that has assented TO the
neutrality of China can remain indiher-
ent. Japan at least should be made to
say what she thinks Of making Chinese
neutrality a dead letter"
In your opinion. what follows II II
becomes dead letter IN fact?.'
is II not dead letter tOdaY2 That
Is Tor the powers 20 say. Answering
your question. IN that event It surely
opens up the whole question Of China 1
again II leaves IL where Il was before
Mr. Hay sent his note. IL interests all
Europe and all America. II is likely TO
AFFECT your open door.
Powers Should Interfere.
The powers ought to be prepared to !
give the strongest sort Of admonition to |
China and Japan. ! have always had |
the idea that Japan was seeking 10 force
China into war. a few incidents like /
this will force war on China perbaps
Look al the massing Of Chinese troops ]
on the frontiers They have been drilled /
by European officers a-d are now under /
Japanese officers.
The ending OF the neutrality OF China
opens uD all eventualities. II is in the 4
interest Of the entire world, once and 1
Tor all. 10 put an end TO this menace II J
Then this nation that has done these |
things at Chemulpo and Chefoo wIIl con- |
unue It's same tactics, unless q halt is |
called. And so in time we will fall T!
back on the laws OF war which govern
ed the Huns in the old days"
Must Win Eventually.
What have you 70 say abou, the
progress OF the war;
we will bring it to an end on our
own terms. u may he two years III
may be three years. But we viii bring /
IL to an end on our own terms"
1T is true. Count Cassini was asked. !
that representations are being made 70 |
the powers that the Russian destroyer /
seized at Chefoo by the japanese was !
fully armed2'
u believe such representations are be- /
L.
facts "a they are known. Read the re-
port Of your own consul, OF the British !
consul OF all the foreign consulR The /
Ryeshitelni was no longer warship |
Her colOrs had been hauled down. She
had been completely disarrned The
Colors and the weapons. even to the re- /
voivers. had been handed over to the \
Chinese authorities. All the provisions |