West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-09-08


THAT is the important question.
What nextf What are the other mn
tions going TO dor Surely we cannot
be bound longer 10 respect the neu-
trality OF China II China viii not re-
spect Il herself. We certainly cannot
overlook this act any further than we
can overlook similar acts In the fti-
ture.
1T would seem TO me 10 be time for
action by Europe and the United States.
do not mean the sending OF fleets. but
| do mean that some extraordinary step
should be taken. Japan seems deter
mined not only not TO recognize the ncu
trality OF China. but not TO recognize
international law and yet Europe aud
the United States are pledged TO the
neutrality OF China and TO the observ.
ance OF international law.
THE Importance OF this thing as II
appears 20 me. is that II nothing is done
the great act OF MIR, Hay in keeping
China out OF the conflict-Rn net which
we all recognize as making for the
| peace OF the world-becomes absolutely
null and void.
1T is the duty OF every government
| to give the most serious and immediate
attention TO this question. Mr.. Hays
| act was recognized as clever and ben
eficial idea. Was IL worth whilel Ger
tainly IL was. Shall II now fall TO the
| ground because OF this wanton act OF
piracy by a nation pledged TO an agree
ment such rs that7 III China ceases 10
be neutral. what theni That Is the
! question which should be discussed Sc
riously."
1T In stated that Japan's excuse Is
that tho commander OF the Ryeshltelni
was carrying dispatches TO Chefu. and
| Il IN also urged that Russian consul
In Chinese territory ~ suspected OF be.
ing In wireless communication with
| Port Arthur"
And the moon In made OF green
cheesel Nothing can be pleaded in ex-
tenuation OF 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 l see that Great Britain now
says that Japan must have time for ex-
PLANTATION. whatever that may mean"
"What steps will you take?"
''It is impossible FOR me TO say until
I have seen Mr. Hay, the secretary OF
state. | am sure that not government,
| except Japan, that has assented to the
neutrality OF China can remain indiffer-
ent. japan Mt least should be made to
say what she thinks OF making Chinese
neutrality dead letter"
"In your opinion, what follows II II
becomes dead letter In factT'
"Is II not dead letter today? That
Ia for the powers to say. Answering
| your question In that event IL surely
opens up the whole question OF China
again. 1t leaves IL where it was be-
fore Mr.. Hay sent his note. 1t I'm
terests all Europe and all America II
is likely to affect your open door
'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
TO force China into war. A few Incl
dents Ike this will force war on China
| perhaps. Look at the mnssing Of
Chinese troops on the frontiers. They
have been drilled by European officers
and are now under japanese officers.
The ending OF the neutrality OF
China opens UP all eyentualitIes. 1t Is
in the interest OF tho entire world,
once and for all. to put an end TO this
menace We are at war with Japan
| II may be some other power next year
| Then this nation that has done these
| things at Chemulpo and Chofu Will
continue It's same tactics unless halt
Is called. And so in time we Will fall
back on the laws OF war which gov
erned the Huns in the old days"
What have you TO say about the
progress or the WARP
1--WE will bring 1t to an end on our
| own terms. 1t may be two years. It
may be three years. But we will bring
1t to an end on our own terms"
rs II true" Count Cassini was nsk.
| ed, that representations are being
made to the powers that the Russian
destroyer seized at Chefu by the Japa-
nese was fully armedr
II believe such representations are
being made, but that does not alter
the facts as they are known. Read the
report OF your own consul. OF the Brit.
ish consul, Of all the foreign consuls
The RyeshItelni was no longer war
ship. Her colors had been hauled
down. She had been completely dis
armed. The colors and the weapons,
even 20 the revolvers. had been hand.
ed over TO the Chinese authorities. All
the provisions Of International law had
been compiled with"
"But is II not q new point I'm inter
national law that wgrship fleeing
from an enemy can find asylum in a
neutral port and be secure from cap
ture simply by lowering her colOrs and
disarming and giving these weapons
into the keeping OF n neutral pOwerY'
1T Is not at all new; II Is a recog-
nized principle it has occurred I'm
| Brazil It has occurred I'm the history
| OF the United States When this is
done to warshlp, as a belligereut yes
sci, as n fighting craft, she ceases 20
/ exist / see Japan now. instead OF
returning our destroyer 60 Chefu and
restoring her TO the Chinese. is seek
ing 70 bully China and compel her 20
send from other harbors other Russian
ships which have been similarly dis
armed and mismantled. Thus the
| situation becomes additionally grave.
! cannot help thinking that out OF the
Chefu incident will grow very big con.
! sequences"