West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-09-08

bassauof' ns homcntous ma Boxer
Crisis-Be Adds That Russia WIZ
End the War ON Her own Terms.
Count Cassini. the Russian anibas.
sador, recently used the following Wig.
orous and significant language In an in-
terview at Bar LIarbor with cor
respondent OF the New York Herald.
In discussing the grave aspects OF the
Chcfu incident and it's bearing on the
whole world, when he said:
AS the situation presents itself to-
day, without any further steps by the
nations of Europe and by the United
States, the grand scheme OF tho Amer
lean secretary OF state. Mr.. Hay. to
insure the neutrality OF China has gone
to wreck, and the entire Chinese ques-
ton, fraught with danger to all ma
tions that have an interest I'm that
country, once more lies open TO all
eventualities"
"Do you regard the Chefu incident
as closed by the excuses which Japan
has givcng'
"No excuses that Japan can give can
alter the occurrence. and. Instead OF
IA.
do you regard the incident ns serl-
ousT'
Il regard II as far more serious. In
an international sense. than any ques-
tion which has been before the world
since the adjustment OF the Boxer
troubles"
"And why do you regard II in such
a serious lightT
Because Il Is I'm fair way 20 ter
inmate suddenly and finally the inter
national agreement for the mainte-
nance OF the neutrality OF China. That
would be calamity, because OF the
dangers with which it would threaten
not only China, but every nation that
is interested I'm China"
"Will you outline briefly the history
OF matters I'm the far east, so far as
they relate TO this question of Chinese
neutrality, which is affected by the
Chefu incident7"
"At the outbreak OF hostilties be-
tween my country and Japan the sug-
gestion was made by the United States
that all nations Interested in the Chi
nese question suggest to the bellIger-
ents the desirability, so far as prae-
ticable, OF limiting the zone OF hostili.
ties, and that they all subscribe TO the
principle OF the naturalization OF China
with view to the maintenance of It's
territorial integrity. All the other ma
tons signatory to the Pekin peace pro-
focal made this suggestion to Russia
and Japan, ana my government assent
ed to II and also TO the principle OF
the neutrality OF China. Japan assent
ed also Russia entered into this agree
ment soleInnly, believing II to be I'm the
interest OF the whole world
"Now, what has happened7 Before
war had been declared large Japa.
nese squadron appeared or Chemulpo
and found two Russian ships In the
harbor. Notice was served on them
to come out and be destroyed or the
japanese would lombard them I'm the
harbor OF Chemulpo. The commanders
of foreign ships entered protest
against such a violation OF neutrality,
and I'm the end, rather than have the
town of Chemulpo bombarded, the
Russian senior commander took his
ships out, made spirited fight and
sunk his own vessels.
II viii speak of this merely 20 call
attention to the disregard OF interna-
tlonal law and neutrality which was
exhibited by japan at the outbreak OF
the war. Japan went into the agree
ment intending 10 violate neutrality
wherever it suited her purposes. This
brings us down to Chefu."
what rs your understanding OF what
occurred at Chefu?"
"My understanding Is derived from
the press reports, just as ! presume
yours is. There is no question as 70 the
brutal and essential facts. The com
mander of a Russian torpedo boat de
stroyer went to Chefu after n sortie
from Port Arthur lie declared to the
Chinese authorities that he would re.
main in that neutral port absolutely
under conditions prescribed by the law
of nations.
"He unscrewed the guns and re-
moved them and the other weapons
and the ammunition. These he dellv-
cred to the Chinese authorities, and the
ship was IN the situation that she
should have occupied I'm a neutral port
Ahu Whh tnlilttN 10 TIC protection OF
the neutral power, which had gunbOats
and cruisers i'm the harbor
''That night came two japanese men
of-war. The japanese commander dis
covered the Russian ship I'm exactly
the state / have described. lie attack
ed our ship, boarded her and attempt.
ell to run up the japanese cOlors. The
Russians. recognizing this as an un-
lawful act, defended the ship with
their hands In the hand TO hand
struggle which ensued the japanese
commander was thrown overheard, but
superior numbers prevailed. ana the
Russian ship was taken out OF this
neutral port as n prize. The Chinese
were I'm duty bound not to have per
mittcd the japanese to enter the har-
Dor. They were bound not to have per
mitted the attack, and they were bound
not 20 have permitted the cOmsumma-
ton Of this act Of piracy by the re-
moval OF the Russian ship"
what steps have been taken by
your government