The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-12
GERMANY ASKED
AMERICA TO ACT
Suggested That We Take
Initiative as to China.
HAYS NOTE FINDS FAVOR
Effect of Cooperation of Powers Win
Be Moral Prop for Chinese
Government.

Abundant authority exists for the
statement that the Government of thu
United States took the Initiative I'm an
effort TO insure the administrative
entity OF China on the suggestion IF
Germany. that the initiative OF the
United States has been favorably re-
ceived by the foreign offices of several
of the great European powers, and
that the combined influence of these
powers will be a strong moral proi
for the support OF China throughout the
current war between Russia and Japan.
The Temps" OF Paris. published as
a clause from the note sent by Secre-
tary Hay to the American representa-
tives at the capitals of the powers:
Consult with the government 10
which you are accredited. with the view
OF learning IL. in order to AVOID the
possible outbreak of troubles in China
and 10 limit the prejudice OF war on
neutral commerce. it will not be proper
TO respect the neutrality OF the admin
istrative entity Of China
A reliable news source in St Peters
burg also publishes an extract from the
American secretary's note, as follows:
-" proposing joint representa-
lions to Russia and Japan TO prevail
upon them TO ciTcumscribe the war OPP
erations as far as possible. with view
to preventing disorders In China. which
might threaten international trade. and
TO the preserving of the integrity OF
China.
Endorsement Expected.
1t seems to be. accepted by diploma
fists everywhere that the purposes Of
this note VIII be Endorsed by all the sew
eraI governments to which II has been
addressed. Those purposes are con-
strued to be the restriction of the COM
batants to carry on the war in Korea
and Manchuria; in other words. to local
ize the combat to an area so small that
China need not fear invasion
At St. Petersburg il is suggested that
any such project must meet with the
support of the Russian government but
the practicability OF the proposition is
doubted.
In Paris. NJ. Delcasse, French minister
OF foreign affairs. has expressed the ut
most desire to cooperate with the
United States as Secretary Hay has pro-
posed so long as nothing inimical TO
Russia is DONE the minister thus seiz-
ing the opportunity to affirm publicly
the close symps thy known TO exist be-
tween his government and that of the
Gar.
Russia is believed, however. to have
referred the note to Niceroy Alcxieff and
the impression prevails that the Car
will be extremely slow to accept any
proposals from the United States or any
other power which would hamper Rus
sia's military operations.
Several replies have already been re-
ceived by Secretary Hay. Their con
tents are not disclosed but II seems to
be the general impression that their
tenor is favorable.
China to Proclaim Neutrality.
A belated dispatch from United States
Minister Conger has advised the State
Department that China is prepared to
proclaim neutrality and will do so as
soon as notice Is received of the declars-
ton OF war by Russia and Japan,
The proclamation OF neutrality by
China and the maintenance OF neutrali-
ty in China are different propositions
Minister Chentung Lang Cheng inform
ed the State Department several DAYS
ago Of the purpose Of his country 10 re-
main neutral. and said the governors OF
the various provinces had been ordered
TO maintain that attitude But Chinese
governors were ordered not 10 shoot for
eigners at the time Of the Boxer ltrou-
bles, and they are not noted for their
obedience to the orders OF the central
government