Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-11
Unusual Number of Callers
on Secretary Hay.
REPLIES TO HIS NOTE
HAVE BEEN CENTRALLY FAVOR
ABLE AND SATISFACTORY.
Meeting of the Russian Ambassador
and the Japanese Minister-FeeI-
ing in DIPLOMATIC Circles.

Hay in connection with the proposed neu-
traiizstion of China has aroused the great
est interest in diplomatic circles mere anu III
consequence, this being the regular weekly
diplomatic day, many more than the usu'i
number Of ambassadors and MINISTERS
called at the State Department 1t Is I'M
derstood that while as a matter or courtesy
the representatives here of the powers sig
natory to the Picking treaty We're INFORMED
nv Secretary Hay Of the nature OF MS
proposition yet this was only for their III
formation and the Secretary Is negotiating
on the subject directly with the European
foreign office or this subject through 'he
resident American ambassadors ana MINIS
tiers.
Representatives of fourteen powers at
tended Secretary Hays weekly dlpiomauc
reception at the State Department. 'ooay'
All came to inquire about the faf eastern
situation, and especially about the secre,
tary's note to the powers. the Brltisn an
bassador was among the callers. 1reat
britain has formed this government Oh
bsr adherence to the principle set forth IN
tho nots hut the formal acceptance of the
London government has not yet come.
Replies Generally Favorable.
It was stated this morning that some, put
mot all of the countries addressed had re-
plied and that these replies were generaly
favorable and satisfactory. But II is oe-
clared to be too early yet to pupllsh the
text of Secretary Hays note ana any oi
the replies It is intimated, however, tnat
this may be done as soon as the heSo,l
lions on this point have been colfcluueu.
Az some doubt was expressed III cel Yam
Quarters as to whether Japan would con-
sent TO be bound in the fashion proposed, IL
can be stated that such Information as tile
State Department mas on tne supJeol 10 "
the effect that Japan would Weicome aii
;ntarna tiouai agreement neutraiiZlnS emma
An intimatiOn has been thrown OUT 'nat
one reason for this apparent sacrlnce ny
Japan OF the prospective iruhts vi 80 -,
il she succeeds in her campaign, Is rear
that some of the great neutral powers may
grow covetCus of more Chinese son anu
seize the opportunity when the DelilseIe!i.s
are exhausted TO extend their Chinese hoid-
80 Thara ia precedent for this action as
q result of past wars. and having IN mlhu
her own bitter experience as the outcome
of the Carbohydrates war, II Is salu ,lia'
Ianan would rather forego the appropfla-
ton nv herself of Chinese territory than
have the same appropriation py otler
Mowers which had not been put TO any eA-
pense or suffering to gain IT,
An Interesting Incident.
One of the incidents of diplomatic day
which was witnessed with great interest by
a number of persons in the neighborhood
of the diplomatic room OF the state De-
partment was the meeting OF the RUSSIAN
ambassador and the japanese minister
The one was entering and the other was
leaving the diplomatic room ana the meet
ing took place in the small reception room
Count Cassini was chatting with the Aus
TRAN charge; Mr.. Takahlra was alono. NC
Russian, who is dean OF the dlplomauc
corps bowed with marked poiltenesS anu
,-pntI roI
not once but twice, and the Japanese re-
turned the bow in like manner without
speaking they parted.
That Baron Giskra. the Austro-Hunga-
rian charge, who was the only other dplo-
mat in the ante-roem at the time, might
not attach too much significance to his
bow to Count Cassini, the Japanese minis
ter turned to the baron as the Russian was
leaving the room and said: Il am saluting
the dean of the diplomatic corps.
1t is known also that the salute of the
Russian ambassador who appeared TO en-
10y the incident, which was repeated as ne
was leaving the ante room. was given not
as the Russian ambassador, but as dean or
the corps. Officially the relations OF the
Russian embassy and the japanese legation
have been severed, ana there is an inter-
ruption OF communication between them.
1t is the rule of diplomat. however. that
when he meets the representative or a nos
tile power on neutral ground an exchange
of bows is in order. This rule Will be OBJ
served whenever the Russian and the Jap
anese diplomats here are brought together
at the various social and official functions.
The statement that Count Cassini neglect
ed to send to the japanese minister com
munication which was said to have been adj
dressed to the other members of the corps
calling on them to assemble in the blue
room at the White House upon the occa-
sion of the reception TO Congress is emphat-
ically denied at the Russian embassy, and
at the other embassies and legations ii is
said Count Cassini has never issued any
ct,ch ipati ion or1ylif
sent to the corps by Count Cassini as
dean of the diplomatic corps. Will go to the
japanese legation.
Notes to the Belligerents.
Having received enough favorable replies
to insure the concurrent action of Euro
pean powers in his endeavor Ito localize
within small an area as possible the
hostihties in the far east and to insure
over as much of China possible her neu-
trality," Secretary Hay addressed notes to
Russia and Japan inviting their co-opera-
ton in this endeaVOf and announcing that
the United States stood stalwartly for this
principle 1t was known in advance that
both the combatant powers desired the
localiZation of the war.
In the present period of the negOtia tons
State Department officials find it inexpedi-
ent to discuss the various steps which led
up to the issuance of the note, but from
diplomat whose government, while entirely
neutral is conversant with the progress of
events this statement was obtained:
Credit Due to Secretary Hay
''To Secretary Hay undoubtedly belongs
the full credit for the initiation of this
policy, which is the boldest step yet taken
by any country for the preservation of the
integrity of China. The Washington gov
eminent however. awaited a suggestion
from another power before issuing the cir
cuiar note. Germany called TO the atten-
ton of the United States the desirability
of limiting the hostilities TO the two COM.
Blatant powers. Among my confreres the
belief is general that Germany acted with
the knowledge of Russia but of this / am
not certain. In this connection il should
be remembered that both Russia and Japan
are most anxious to confine hostilities to
themselves, and in this they undoubtedly
nave the support of my government and all
the powers of Europe.
I'll iuanaSsihl for.