Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1904-02-18
Mr.. HAYS PROPOSALS.
Story of How the Movement for Guar.
anteeing Chinese Integrity Was
First Copceived.

First Conceived.
Washington, Feb. 13.-Russia has in
vited OF the United States a declaration
Of her neutrality in the far eastern war.
Secretary Hay sent d draft of the declara-
don of our neutrality TO the president for
mis- signature and it will be issued from
,he state department today.
Having received enough favorable re-
plies TO insure the concurrent action OF
European powers In his endeavor ITO To-
cal.ze within as small an area as possible
the hostiiities in the far east and to In
sure neutrality over as much of China
as possible Secretary Hay has ad-
dressed notes to Russia and Japan !nvit-
ing their cooperation In this endeavor,
end announcing. that the United States
TODD stalwartly for this principle. 1t
vas known in advance that both The
omba.ant powers desired the localiZatio
+ the war. II the present stage of the
regulations state department officials
Ind it inexpedient to discuss the various
!. geps which led up to the issuance of the
(Jte. but from a diplomat whose govern
ent. while entirely neutral. Is CONVEX
nj with The progress OF events, this
emen Mas obtained:
: TO Secretary Hay undoubtedly belongs
se fu;i credit for the initiation of this
hey. which is the boldest step yet aiken
any country for the preservation Of
e integrity IF China. The Washington
~vornrlcn,, however. awaited a SUCCESS
IN from another power before issuing
re circular note.
Limiting Hostiiities.
Germany called the attention Of the
United States 10 the desirability of limit
y hostiliti-s to The two combatants.
niong my conterees the belief is general
al Germany acted with the know!cdg
Russia. bu. Of this j am not certain.
this connection 1t should be remen-
red that both Russia and Japan are
ost anxious to conane hostil!ties TO
scmscives, and in this they undoubtedly
ave the support OF my government and
III the powers.
1T was impossible for Great Britain to
,1ake the suggestion and hope fer its Sc
Gus consideration by Russia. France
ould have been disposed TO regard with
ispicion any such proposal coming from
erinany and Japan would have hest
lied to acquiesce in a like suggestion
cmanating from France The United
States was the only power that could take
the initiative. This fact was called to
The attention of the secretary during a
caN of the German ambassador on Mon
day morning last, shortly before Baron
~Sternberg left for New York.
Not only. however, has the secretary
suggested the limiting of the zone of hos
%tilities. but he has improved the oppor-
tunity to make another step toward pre-
serving China's integrity. Examination
OF ms note will show no reference what
soever TO the integrity Of China, but GER
tainly the naturalization of that country
would contribute powerfully to the pres
ervatlon of China's integrity and the
maintenance OF Its administrative con-
troll. The note is general in character,
ana therein lies its greatest strength.
Germany was the first to respond favor
ably. In the case OF France 1t was nee
essa'y for that government to ssure IT.
gestion to which Russia might take cx-
ception."
Ncto Went to Other Powers.
, After addressing Germany, Great Brit
ain and France, Secretary Hay sent the
same note to the other power %sigilatory
10 the peace protocol of 1900, including
austria Hungary, Italy. The Netherlands,
Belgium and Spain, and finally he ad-
dressed the combatants. Russia and Japan,
Inviting their cooperation In ties upport
OF the principle for which this govern
ment stood.
NJ. Jusserand. the French ambassador.
mad a long conference today with Count
Casstni. the Russian ambassador. The
note of Secretary Hay was discussed, and
us humanitarian purpose was approved.
In diplomatic circles the feeling Is strong
that Russia will acquiesce to the srgges-
ton, but as to the limiting of hostilities
ana the naturalization of China when she
mas satisfied herself there is no Interior
motive involved.
On the authority OF a high administra-
ton officer 1t can be said that this gov
has no intention of suggesting
anything about Korea. 1t is accepted that
Korea Is the natural battle ground, and
1t Is useless even to discuss the neutraliza-
tion of that country.
1t was decided today that the cruiser
fquadron OF the Asiatic fleet with propriety
could so as far north as Shanghai. and
orders to that effect have been sent. From
Shanghai q vessel will be sent northward
to Chcmulpo. Korea. 10 maintain commu-
nication with the American legation at
Seoul. Probably the vessels of the cruiser
squadron will take turn about at this
duty. 1t is possible that several naval
attaches may be sent to Manchuria. 1t
mas been suggested that a laval officer
at Dainy and one at Mukden or Antung
could be of assistance to the consuls this
government is sending there.
Admiral tlria. of the Japanese fleet, was
graduated from the naval academy at An
iapolis in 1852.
st. Petersburg IL Doubtful.
st. Petersburg. Feb. 1.-THE statement
hat Secretary Hay had issued a note to
the powers asking them to Join in insist
ING on the recognition of the integrity
OF China and Korea during and after hos
tilities created much comment in diplo-
matte circles. where any action taken with
the View Of localizing the theater of war
is welcomed. There seemed 10 be great
doubt. however. of the propriety of adj
herring to the later clauses of Mr.. Hays
note. pending more definite advices.
At the foreign office, where there is
some disposition to distrust the purposes
of the United States. al authoritative ex-
preston was not obtainable.
Foreign Minister ~Lamsdorff, talking to
the diplomats at his reception this after
noon. spoke feelingly of Japan's action,
and declared the czar had lone all in his
power to avert a conflict, but the events
Of the past few days had proved Japan
to he bent on war. and that no conces-
slons Russia could have offered would
fave restrained her.