The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-08-26
THE DIPLOMATIC VIEW.
Japan Defines Attitude on R~ycshiteini
Case and China's Neutrality.

Case and China's Neutrality.
Toxic, Aug. a4.-The Japanese gov
eminent gave to the Associated Press
a statement defining its attitude in the
capture of the Ryeshitelni and declar-
ing Its position on the entire question
of Chinese neutrality as follows:
The status of China in the present
struggle is wholly unique. Nearly all
the military operations are carried on
within its borders. 1t is not Il party to
the conflict, nevertheless its territories
are In part belligerent and in part ner-
tral. That condition of things in the
contemplation of International law is
an anomaly and Il contradiction. In
this case it is Il feature of "A special
understanding. to which belligerents
have given a decision with a view to
limit the area of hostilities In the in
terest OF foreign intercourse and the
general tranquility of China.
The japanese government engaged
to respect the neutrality of China out
side of the regions actually involved in
war, provided that Russia made a sim
liar engagement INC carried it out in,
good faith. The Japanese government
considered hat belligerents were pre-
Guided by this engagement from &C.
cupying or making use for warlike pur-
poses of any of the territory or ports
of China outside of the zone which has
pSCii lIlstNlS lllG lileStlCT OIL MlT, because
1t seemed to them that any such occu-
patton would ipso facto convert the
places thus occupied and used from
neutral to bel!igerent territory.
1t equally seemed to them that any
such occupation and use of neutral
Chinese territory or ports by the Rus
sian forces would give effect to the pro-
viso In the Japanese engagement and
justify it in entering territory or ports
so occupied and used as belligerent.
China's Neutrality Imperfect.
I'm other words. the Japanese gov
eminent held that China's neutrality
is imperfect and applicable only to
those places which are occupied by the
armed forces of either belligerent and.
Russia cannot escape the consequences
of an unsuccessful wal by moving its
army or navy into those portions of
China which by arrangement had been
made comfortably neutral.
A Russian warship from Port Ar
thur sought in the harbor of Chefoo
asylum from attack which it's home
port had ceased to afford. In taking
that step it was guilty OF a breach OF
the neutrality of China as established
by the agreement of the belligerents,
and Japan was fully justified in regard
ing the port Of Chefoo %belligerent so
far as the incident in question Is con-
cerHed. With the termination of the
incident the neutrality Of the port was
revived. :.
THE action taken by Japan at Che
foo was a direct natural course OF
consequences Of Russia's disregard OF
its engagement. but it is not alone in
this matter nor alone in the Chefoo
matter that Russia has f%lagrantly VIC
lated China's neutrality and ignored
its own engagements.
Shortly after the investment and iso-
lation of Port Arthur a system of wire
less ~telegrapEy was installed between
the beleaguered forts and the Russian
consul at Chefoo. The system is still in
operation Notwithstanding the repeated
protests of the Japanese government.
Russia Inconsistent.
"At Shanghai at the beginning of the
wal the Russian gunboat Mandjur, in
defiance of China's neutrality, re-
manned in the port for weeks after re-
ceiving notice to leave. Finally after
long negotiations 1t consented to dis
armament. Again, the Russian cruiser
Askold and the destroyer Grozovoi have
now been at Shanghai for more than a
week and still refuse to disarm or leave.
The Japanese government has no inten-
ton of disregarding China's neutrality
SO long as 1t is respected by Russia,
but they cannot consent thai Russian
warships as a result of a broken en-
gagement n a violated neutrality
shall unchallenged find in the harbors
of China safe refuge from capture or
destruction"