Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-02-24
NEUTRALITY EXCLAMATION.
President warns United Stntes Gle.
liens and Assures Diplomatic

President Warns United Stntes Gle
liens and Assures Diplomats.
The neutrality proclamation issued by
President Roosevelt Is about as com
plete declaration as could be conceived.
1t reiterates general principles between
nations, warns all citizens of the United
States not to aid either side, defines the
rights Of all neutrals on sea. and makes
the usual declaration TINT ships of either
belligerent shall not remain in port of
tho United States except in cases of
great emergency for more than twenty
four hours.
For the express benefit of the Russians
special attention is called to the treaty
between the United States and the Cars
government signed fifty years ago, in
which il is declared free ships shall make
free goods and that the property Of neu-
trails, even if en- an enemy's ship shall
not be subject to coniscation unless the
same Shall be coutraband of war.
Unusual Stress has beer laid in the
proclamation upon the section warning
citizens OF the United States that they
must not enlist or aid personally either
one of the nations at war. Neutrality
is not violated by the selling of arms or
munitions of war either to Japan or to
Russia, but neutrality is violated by any
attempt TO enlist for service In the ar
mics of either country or recruit men in
the United States who are to fight in the
army or navy either of Japan or Russia.
Persons wac do this are likely to be
punished by the United States govern
ment, and persons who carry munitions
of war on high seas do SO at their peril,
for such articles are contraband of war.
aud IL seized at sea, even if carried by
a neutral ship, will be coniscated, and
the government of the United States will
not make the slightest effort to recover
damages for the owner
Hays Negotiations.
Secretary Hay in his negotiations, FIRST
of all sent individual diplomatic feelers
to France, Germany and Great Britain,
suggesting that the Chinese empire pro-
per, by which. of course, he meant terri
tory exclusive of the seat Of war, which
is Manchuria and Korea. should not be
considered as the subject in dispute, but
that it should be preserved intact by joint
action of neutral powers, and for this
purpose its absolute neutrality should be
guaranteed to them. A favorable reply
TO this was received from all three great
powers which took an important part in
the restoration of order and the rescue
of diplomats at Pekin in 1900.
Having secured this informal assur-
ance of moral support, the Secretary
next forwarded an identical note to Rus
sia and Japan suggesting they should join
with neutral nations not in the agree
ment, but in the general understanding
that hostilities in Manchuria and Korea
SHOULD rot be considered as preliminary
TO the partition of the Chinese empire
ITSELF.
Still the third step was taken when
the governments of France, Germany
and Great Britain sent the same kind OF
a note TO Russia and Japan.
Thereupon Secretary Hay immC lately
enlarged the sphere of his diplomatic ac-
tiyity, and sent his notes regarding the
neutrality and integrity of China to Italy,
Austria-Hungary Spain, Belgium and
the Netherlands.
Subsequently the idea of localization
of hostilities was submitted directly to
Russia and Japan, and it seems that In
st. Petersburg and Paris there has been
constant confusion between an attempt
to limit hostilities to the natural sphere
of action and concurrent action by neu-
trail nations to keep Chino out Of the
fight and therefore out Of the danger sof
ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
Japan has agreed TO accept everything
suggested by Mr.. Hay. 1t is Russia
which is holding back. France, an ally
of Russia, is quite willing TO take action
TO secure the neutrality of China, but
Is not vet quite ready to admit that the
Chinese empire itself may not he made
a proper subject of a treaty of peace
between Russia and Japan.
The representatives of Jap0n and Rus.
sia were assured it was not the purpose
of the State Department TO interfere il
any way with actual military operations.
Tie sole suggestion made by Mr.. Hay
wa that the armies should confine their
attention TO the things in dispute, and
should not go wandering all over Asia,
devastating neutral countries while os-
tensibly running away from or pursuing
the enemy
The readiness with which Mr.. Hays
views have been taken up by European
nations, even Including France. seems to
show that they are suspicious of both
Japan and Russia, and are anxious to
have some guarantee that they will mot,
under the guise OF a treaty of peace be-
tween each other, swallow M both Korea
aad Manehuria and leave the great neu-
trail nations TO hold the bag.