The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-19
New York Sun Special Service.

No" LUEh GUN CpoClhA ooTVACos
Bar Harbor, Me-, Aug. 19.-''As the
situation presents itself today, with
out any further steps by the nations
of Europe and by the United States,
the grand scheme of the American
secretary of state, John Hay, to in
sure the neutrality of China, has gone
to wreck, and the entire Chinese Ques-
ton, fraught with danger to all ma
lions that have an interest in that
country, once more lies open to all
eventualities.''
Count Cassini, the Russian ambas-
sador, used this significant language
in an interview in discussing the as
poets of the Chi-fu incident and it's
bearing on the whole world.
do you regard the Chi-fu incident
as closed by the excuses which Japan
has given?" Count Cassini was asked.
No excuses that Japan can give
can alter that occurrence, and, in
stead of being closed, I recognize it
as only opened. I see the incident as
more serious in an International sense
than any question that has been be-
fore the world since the adjustment
Of theaBoxer trouble. 1t is in a fair
way TO terminate suddenly and final
ly the international agreement for the
maintenance of the neutrality of
China. That would be calamity be-
cause of the dangers with which 1t
would threaten not only China but
every nation that Is interested in
| China"
History of Hays Efforts.
| Count Cassini then outlined the his
tory Of the efforts of Secretary Hay
and others to limit the zone Of hostile
ties In order to preserve the integrity
of China. He referred to the sinking
| of the Variag as a fragrant breach of
neutrality by Japan, and described
the Selling Of the destroyer Ryeshi-
telni at Chi-fu after it had been dis
armed and turned over to the Chinese.
What next?" Count Cassini was
asked.
THAT is an important question.
What next? What are the other ma
tons going to do? Surely Russia
cannot be bound longer to respect the
neutrality of China If China does not
respect it herself. We certainly can
not overlook this act any further than
we can overlook similar acts In the
future.
cit seems to me to be time for ac-
ton by Europe and the United States.
do not mean by sending fleets, but
mean some extraordinary step
should be taken. Japan seems de-
termined not only not to recognize
the neutrality of China, but not to
recognize International law; yet Eu-
rope and the United States are pledged
to maintain the neutrality Of China
and the observance Of international
law.
'The Importance of this thing, as
1t appears to me, Is that, II nothing
is done, the great act Of Secretary
Hay in keeping China out of the con-
, f1ict-an act which we all recognize
as making for the peace of the world
becomes absolutely null and void.
Duty Rests on Powers,
, TT Is the duty of every government
to give most serious and immediate
attention to this question. Secretary
Hays act is recognized as a clear anC
t beneficial idea. Was it worth while;
7 Certainly it was. Shall 1t now fall tt
: the ground because of this wantor
act of piracy by a nation pledged t.
! an agreement such as that? If China
: ceases to be neutral, what then? Tha
is a question which should be dis
{ cussed seriously.
Nothing can be pleaded in extern
uation of this act. There is no ques
ton Of the facts. The foreign con
suls in their reports, all agree. Ever
the British consul has reported tn
I facts"
"In your opinion, what follows If
becomes a dead letter in fact p
els it not dead letter today? Tha
a is for the powers to say. Answerin!
e your question, in that event, 1t surel
/ opens up the whole question of Chin
e again. 1t leaves it where it was be
t fore Secretary Hay sent his note. ]
9 interests all Europe and all America
r It is likely to affect your open door
= Suspects Japan's Motives.
t "The powers ought to prepare t
= give the strongest sort Of an admo
e milton to China and to Japan. / hav
e always had the idea that Japan
s seeking to force China into the wal
o A few incidents like this will fore
e the war on China, perhaps. Look q
the massing of Chinese troops on GU
IS frontiers. They have been drilled b
= European officers and now are unde
X Japanese officers.
! What have you to say about tn
~ progress of the war %
- 1--WE will bring 1t to an end on on
y own terms. It may be two years.
: may be three years. But we wi
=, bring it to an end on our own terms