The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1904-08-23

what nexts~
'That Is the important question.
What nexts What are the other na-
tions going to do? Surely we cannot
be bound longer to respect the neu-
trality of China If China will not re-
spect It herself. We certainly cannot
overlook this act any further than we
can overlook similar acts in the fu-
ture.
"ItwouId seem 20 me to be time for
action by Europe and the United States.
/ do not mean the sending Of fleets. bat
do mean that some extraordinary step
should be taken Japan seems deter
mined not only not to recognize. the neil
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 me, is that il nothing is done
the great act Of Mr. Hay in keeping
China out of the conhiet--an act which
we all recognize as making for the
peace Of the world-becomes absolutely
null and void.
1T is the duty Of every government
to give the most serious and immediate
attention to this question Mr.. Hays
act was recognized as a clever and ben
eficial idea Was 1t worth while? Ger
tainly it was. Shall It now fall to the
ground because Of this wanton act OF
piracy by nation pledged to an agree
ment such as thatl Ii China ceases TO
be neutral, what then? That is the
question which should be discussed se-
riously.n
1T Is stated that Japans excuse is
that the commander of the Ryeshitelni
was carrying dispatches TO Chefu. and
1t is also urged that a Russian consul
in Chinese territory is suspected Of be-
Ing in wireless communication with
Port Arthur"
And the moon is made of green
eheesel Nothing can be pleaded in ex-
tenuation Of this act There is no ques-
ton OF the facts. The foreign consuls
in their reports all agree Even the
British consul has reported the facts,
though see that Great Britain now
says that Japan must have time for ex-
PLANTATION, whatever that may mean"
What steps will you take?"
1T is impossible for me to say until
have seen Mr.. Hay, the secretary Of
state. am sure that not a 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"
I'm your opinion, what follows If it
becomes a dead letter In faetT'
rs it not a dead letter today That
is for the powers to say. Answering
your question in that event ct surely
opens up the whole question Of China
again. 1t leaves it where 1t was be
fore Mr.. Hay sent his note. 1t in
terests all Europe and all America. 1t
Is likely to affect your open door
1.-THE powers ought to be prepared to
give the strongest sort Of admonltion
to China and Japan. I 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 massiug 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. 1t 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 Chemulpo and Chefu will
continue its same tactics unless a halt
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 WARP
1--WE will bring it to an end on our
own terms 1t may be two years. 1t
may be three years. But we will bring
1t to an end on our own terms
us 1t true" Count Cassini was ask
ed that representations are being
made to the powers that the Russian
destroyer seized at Chefu by the Japa-
nese was fully armed?"
Il 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
ish consul, Of all the foreign consuls.
The Ryeshitelni was no longer a war
ship. Her colors had been hauled
down She had been completely dis
armed The eolors and the weapons,
even to the reyolvers. had been hand
ed over to the Chinese authorities. All
the provisions Of international law had
been complied 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 powerY
ut IS not at all new; it f. recog-
nized principle, 1t has occurred In
Brazil. 1t has occurred In the history
OF the United States When this is
done to warship, as a belligerent yes
sci, as lighting craft, she ceases to