Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-20

JUL Ut would seem to me to be time for action by Europe and the United States do not mean the sending of fleets, but I do mean that some extraordinary step should be taken. Japan seems deter mined not only not to recognize the neu- trality of China, but not to recognize international law, and yet Europe and the United States are pledged to the neutrality of China and to the observ- ance of international law.
 "The importance of this thing, as ii appears to ne, is that if nothing is done the great act of MT Hay in keeping China out of the confiict-an act which we all recognize as making for the peace of the world-becomes absolutely null and void.
 ''It is the duty of every government to give the most serious and immediate attention to this question. MT. Hays act was recognized as clever and ben- eficial idea. Was it worth while? Ger tainly it was. Shall it now fall to the ground because of this wanton act of piracy by a nation pledged to an agree ment such as that? If China ceases to be neutral, what then? That is the question which should be discussed se- riously."
 .'It is stated that Japan's excuse is that the commander of the Ryeshitelni was carrying dispatches to Chefu, and it is also urged that Russian consul in Chinese territory is suspected of be ing in wireless communication with Port Arthur"
 "And the moon is made of green cheesel Nothing can be pleaded in ex- tenuation of this act. There is no ques- tion of the facts. The foreign consuls in their reports all agree. Even the British consul has reported the facts, though I see that Great Britain now says that Japan must have time for ex- planation whatever that may mean
 'sWhat steps will you take?"
 Tt is impossible for me to say until I have seen MT. Hay, the secretary of state. I am sure that not government, except Japan, that has assented to the neutrality of China can remain indiffer- ent. Japan at least should be made to say what she thinks of making Chinese neutrality dead letter"
 Ell yOuL OJ1AAOAJ WAul AOAAOW0 Az At becomes dead letter in fact7"
 .'Is it not dead letter today? That is for the powers to say. Answering your question in that event 1t surely opens up the whole question of China again. It leaves 1t where twas be- fore Mfr Hay sent his note. It in terests all Europe and all America. It is likely to affect your open door
 The powers ought to be prepared to give. the strongest sort of admonition to China and Japan. 1 have always had the idea that Japan was seeking to force China into war. A few incl dents like this will force war on China perhaps. Look at the massing of Chinese troops on the frontiers. They have been drilled by European officers and are now under Japanese officers.
 .The ending of the neutrality of China opens up all eventualities. It is in the interest of the entire world, once and for all, to put an end to this menace. We are at war with Japan. It may be some other power next year. Then this nation that has done these things at ChemuIpo and Chefu will CODl1IuC 1JS pdlnC LdCI4CS ul4lC6S q AuAs is called. And so in time we will fall back on the laws of war which gov erned the Huns in the old days.''
 What have you to say about the progress of the war;"
 "We will bring it to an end on our own terms. It may be two years. It may be three years. But we will bring 1t to an end on our own terms"
 ''Is it true" Count Cassini was ask ed, that representations are being made to the powers that the Russian nese was fully armed?"
 T believe such representations are being made, but that does not alter the facts as they are known. Read the report of your own consul, of the Brit tsh consul, of all the foreign consuls. The Ryeshitelni was no longer war ship. Her colors had been hauled down. She had been completely dis armed. The colors and the weapons, even to the revolyers, had been hand ed over to the Chinese authorities. All the provisions of international law had been compiled with.''
 "But is it not new point in inter national law that warship fleeing from an enemy can find asylum in a neutral port and be secure from cap ture simply by lowering her colors and disarming and giving these weapons into the keeping of a neutral power?"
 Tt is not at all new; it is a recog- nized principle. It has occurred in Brazil. It has occurred in the history of the United States. When this is done to warship, as belllgerent yes ,sel, as fighting craft she ceases to exist. I see Japan now, instead of returning our destroyer to Chefu and restoring her to the Chinese, is seek ing to bully China and compel her to send from other harbors other Russian ships which have been similarly dis armed and mismantled. Thus the situation becomes additionally grave cannot help thinking that out of the Chefu incident will grow very big con- sequences"