The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-02-12
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT WILL
PROCLAIM ATTITUDE OF THE
UNITED STATES.
NOTE FAvoRABLY RECEIVED
EUROPE WELCOMES SECRETARY
HAYS PLAN FOR LocALlziNG
OF POSSIBILITIES.

Wednesday invited from the OQltoQ
States a declaration Of her neutrality
in the far Eastern Secretary
Hay sent the draft Of the declaration
Of our neutrality to the president for
his signature and 1t will be issued
from the state department today. The
proclamation is in stereotype form
and simply recites and deplores the
existence Of hostilities between Japan
and Russia and enjoins upon citizens
of the United States a strict regard
and observance of the neutrality laws.
Having received enough favorable
replies to insure the concurrent action
Of European powers in his endeavor
as possible the hostilities in the far
East" and to insure owe as much of
China as possible her neutrality, Sec
rotary Hay has addressed notes to
Russia and Japan inviting their CO
operation in this endeavor and an
nouncing that the United States stood
stalwartly for the principle. It was
known in advance that both the COM
blatant powers desire the localization
of the war.
Will Cn0 p0Au1u6 AC6OtA0tAOA0 Ia
progress the state department officials
cumstances which make it necessary
to issue the note, but from the diplo-
mat Of a country entirely neutral, and
who is conversant with these events,
this statement was obtained:
Hay Entitled to Full Credit.
"Secretary Hay is entitled to the
full credit for the initiation of this
policy, which is the boldest step yet
taken by any country for the preserva-
ton Of the integrity of China. The
Washington government, however,
awaited e. suggestion from another
power before issuing the circular note.
Germany called the attention of the
United States to the desirability Of
limiting the hostilfties to the two COM
Blatant powers. Among my conferees,
the belief is that the Germans acted
without the knowledge of Russia, but
of this l am not convinced. In this
connection it may be said that both
Russia and Japan are most active to
conf1ne hostilities to themselves and
in this they undoubtedly have the sup
port of my government and all the
powers. 1t was impossible for Great
Britain to make the suggestion and
hope for it's serious consideration by
Russia. France would have been dis
posed to regard with suspicion any
such proposition coming from Ger
many. and Japan would have hesitated
to acquiesce in a like suggestion ema-
mating from France. The United
States was the only power that could
take the initiative"
After addressing Germany, Great
Britain and France, Secretary Hay
sent the same note to the other pow
ers signatory to the peace protocol
Of 1900, including Austria Hungary,
Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Spain,
and finally he
Addressed the combatants,
Russia and Japan, inviting them
cooperation in the support of the
principle for which this government
stood.
In diplomatic circles the feeling is
strong that Russia will acquiesce in
the suggestion both as to the limiting
of hostilities and the naturalization OF
China when she has assured herself
that there is no Interior purpose in
volved.
On the authority Of a high admins
tration official it can be stated that
this government has no intention of
suggesting anything about Korea. 1t
is recognized that Korea is the natural
battle-ground and it is useless even to
discuss the naturalization of that
country.
1t has been decided that the cruiser
squadron Of the Asiatic fleet with
| propriety could go as far north as
Shanghai, and orders to that effect
have been sent. From there n of
the vessels will be sent northward to
Chemulpo, Korea, to maintain com
munication with the American lega-
ton at Seoul. It is possible that sew
eral attaches may be sent to Man
churia.
Admiral Uria of the Japanese fleet
was graduated from the naval acade-
my at Annapolis in 1882.
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