Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-02-19
NEUTRALITY PROCLAMATION.
President Warns United States Cit
izens and Assures Diplomats.

The neutrality proclamation issued by
President Roosevelt is about as com
piete declaration as could be conceived
1t rejterates general principles between
nations, warns all citizens of the United
Statcs not to aid either side, defines the
rights of all neutrals on sea, and makes
the usual declaration that ships of either
belligerent shall not remain in a port Of
thc United States except iii cases Of
great emergency for more than twenty
four hours.
For the express benefit of the Russians
special attention is called to the treaty
between the United States and the Cars
government signed fifty years ago, in
| which it is declared free ships shall make
free goods and that the property of neu-
| trails, even if on an enemy's ship shall
| not be subject to confscation unless the
| same shall be contraband of war.
Unusual stress has been laII in the
! proclamation upon the section warning
! citizens of the United States that they
must not enlist or aid personally either
one Of the nations at war. Neutrality
is not violated by the selling Of arms or
munitions Of war either to Japan or to
Russia, but neutrality is violated by any
attempt to enlist for service in the ar
1nles OF either country or recruit men in
the United States who are to fight in the
army or navy either of Japan or Russia.
Persons who do this arc likely to be
punished by the United States govern
ment, and persons who carry munitions
OF war on high seas do so at their peril,
Tor such articles are contraband of war,
ana IL seized at sea, even if carried by
neutral ship, will be confScated, and
tile government Of the United States will
not make the slightest effort to recover
damages for the owner
Hays NcEotntions.
Secretary Hay in his negotiations. first
OF all sent individual diplomatic feelers
to France, Germany and Great Britain
suggesting that the Chinese empire pro-
per, by which, of course, he meant terri
tory exclusive of the seat Of war; which
is Manchuria and Korea, should not be
considered as the subject in dispute, but
that it should be preserved intact by Joint
action of neutral powers, and for this
purpose its absolute neutrality should be
guaranteed to them. A favorable reply |
to this was received from all three great |
powers which took an important part in |
tie restoration Of order and the rescue |
of diplomats at Pekin in 1900
Having secured this informal assur-
ance OF moral support the Secretary
next forwarded an identical note to Rus I
Sla ana Japan suggesting they should join
with neutral nations not in the agree
lhent, but In the general understanding
that hostilities in Manchuria and Korea
should not be considered as preliminary
10 the partition of the Chinese empire
ITSELF
Still the third step was taken when
he governments of France, Germany
ina Great Britain sent the same kind Of
note to Russia and Japan
Ihereupon Secretary Hay Immediately
the sphere Of his diplomatic ac-
witty and sent his notes regarding the
neutrality and integrity of China to Italy,
Spain, Belgium and
he Netherlands.
Subsequently the idea of localization
L hostilities was submitted directly to
russia and Japan, and it seems that in
It. petersburg and Paris there has been
ohStdnt confusion between an attempt
limit hostllities to the natural sphere .
action and concurrent action by neu-
raj nations to keep Chino out Of the
Eht and therefore out Of the danger of 1
!
Japan has agreed to accept everything =
lggested by Mr.. Hay. 1t is Russia
Inch is holding back. France, an ally
Russia, is quite willing to take action
secure the neutrality Of China. but !
not yet quite ready to admit that the !
hlhcse empire itself may not be made y
proper subject of n treaty Of peace .
etWeen Russia and Japan. IL IL
The representatives of Japan and Rus
Il were assured it was not the purpose
the State Department to interfere ia
~ way with actual military operations.
he sole suggestion made by Mr.. Hay Of
rs that the armies should confine their CO
tention to the things in dispute. and p1
ould not go wandering all over Asia, IN
vastating neutral countries while os- b1
nsibly running away from or pursuing Ii
e enemy. pl
The readiness with which Mr.. Hay's sc
ews have been taken up by European til
tons, even including France, seems to %
oW that they are suspicious of both p.
pan and Russia, and are anxious to q
We some guarantee that they will not. du
der the guise Of a treaty Of peace be- WI
cen each other, swallow up both Korea tic
q Manchuria and leave the great nell tn
i nations to hold the bag. tn
COZ
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