The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-13

an inquiry whether the administrative
entity of China involved Manchuria
Japan was heard from with the answer
that she would act on the suggestion
OF the United States If a similar prom
ise could be obtained from Russia.
Italy. Austria-Hungary and the
Netherlands expressed sympathy with
the idea and promised an answer after
consulting with other powers. There is
reason to believe Spain and Belgium
also will accept the invitation. Russia
thus far has been silent and the atti-
tude Of France is one of hesitation.
This is the situation. Meantime it is
learned that Germany is addressing the
combatants with a note in substance the
same as that of Secretary Hay.
Regarding the attitude of Great Brit
ain it has been a matter of some regret
to the officials here that as the prin-
ciple is one for which the British gov
eminent has stood in the past so stall
wartly, it should hold up formal ac-
ceptance of the invitation until it has
learned further details. On the highest
authority it can be stated that there are
no details to the Secretary's note, as il
would be manifestly impossible to hope
for concurrent action by so many pow
erS upon any but the most general
lines That the official of the Washing
ton government could have had in mind
the neutrality Of Manchuria is declared
on the face of it to be absurd Man
churia is recognized by this government
the war and for this reason primarily
is the suggestion made that hostflities
be restricted.
A high official of the administration
has given these details of the diplo-
matte steps which led to the issuance
Of Secretary Hays note:
ON February Baron Won Sternberg,
the German ambassador under instruc-
lions from Berlin. called at the White
House and laid before the president this
proposition:
That the powers urge on Russia.
and Japan the expediency of preserving
the peace of mind of the Chinese court
and of respecting the neutrality and
entity Of administration of China The
German government invited the United
States as the power possessing the least
political interest in the affairs to issue
the invitation in the event, however
that this was not practicable Germany
expressed her willingness to take the
initiative.
1.-THE German ambassador called
again the day following Sunday for a
further conference with the president
to whom the idea at once appealed as
exceedingly practicable and worthy of
execution. Secretary Hay arrived in
Washington that night and had a con-
ference with the president after his
arrival
1.-The next morning the German am
bassador called at the secretarys resi-
dence for 6. conference. 1t was then
decided that probably the invitation
could be issued more advantageously
by this government and the notes to
the peace and com Blatant powers were
that day framed, those to Germany,
France and Great Britain being cabled
that night. Germany made this pro-
position to the United States without
consultation with the other powers. 1t
is said that Russia had no knowledge
in advance of Germa<y's intention to
take this step.
1T should be remembered that at the
time the note was issued there was no
official information that hostilities had
actually begun. This fact necessitated
slight change in the wording of the
invitation to the other powers"
In diplomatic circles the fact that
Germany and the United States took
the lead concurrently in this important
diplomatic move is regarded as having
great significance. Both in official and
diplomatic circles heretofore the belief