The Washington times., 1904-08-19

~ SoH itbdIu the CheIOO incident as
closed by the excuses which Japan has
given?'' he was asked.
NO excuses that Japan can give can
amer the occurrence. and. instead OF be-
ing closed, / regard it as only open"
do you regard the incident es Sc
rious?"
Most Serious Problem of Today.
i regard It as far more serious. in an
international sense, than any question
which has been before the world since
the adjustment Of the Boxer troubles -
And why do you regard II in such a
serious light?''
Because it Is in fair way to termi-
nate suddenly and finally the inter
national agreement for the mainten-
ance Of the neutrality OF China. That
would be calamity, however, because
OF the dangers with which il would
threaten not only China. but every na-
ton that is interested in nina"
Committed to China's Neutrality.
'wm you outline briefly the history of
matters in the Far East. so far as thev
relate to this question OF Chinese neu-
trality, WIN is affected by the Chefoo
incident"
At the outbreak OF hostilities between
my country and Japan the suggestion
was made by the United States that all
nations interested in the Chinese ques-
ton suggest to the belligerents the de-
STABILITY, so far as practicable. Of limit
ing the zone Of hOstilities and that they
all subscribe TO the principle OF the neu-
tralization OF China with a view to the
maintenance" Of its territorial integrity
All the other nations signatory to the
PeHin peace protocol made this sugges-
ton to Russia and Japan. and my gov
ernment assented TO it and also to the
principle Of the neutrality OF China.
Japan assented also. Russia entered into
this agreement solemnly. believing it TO
be in the interest Of the whole world.
Bad Faith at ChemuIpo.
Now. what has happened? Before
war had been declared a large Japanese
squadron appeared off Chemulpo and
found two Russian ships in the harbor
Notice was served on them TO come out
and be destroyed or the japanese would
lombard them in the harbor Of ChemuI-
pO. The commanders Of foreign ships
entered a protest against such a viola
tion Of neutrality. and in the end rather
than have the town OF Chemulpo bonn
barded, the Russian senior commander
took his ships out. made spirited fight,
and sunk his own vessels.
81 will speak OF this merely TO call
attention TO the disregard OF interna-
tiOnal law and neutrality which was ex-
hibited by Japan at the outbreak of the
war. Japan went into the agreement in
tending to violate neutrality wherever
II suited her purposes. That brings us
down to Chefoo.'
No News But Press Dispatches.
What is your understanding Of what
occurred at Chefoo?"
My understanding Is derived from the
press reports. just, as ] presume. yours
is. There is no question as to the brutal
and essential facts. The commander
Of Russian torpedo-boat destroyer
went 10 Chefoo after a sortie from Port
Arthur. He declared TO the Chinese au-
thorities that he would remain IN that
neutral port absolutely under conditions
prescribed by the law Of nations.
"ie unscrewed the guns and removed
them and the other weapons and the
These he delivered 10 the
Chinese authorities, and the ship was in
the situation that she should have &C
cupied I'm a neutral port, and was en-
Continued on Second Page.)