The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-10
UNITED STATES TAKES
STEPS TO PRESERVE THE
INTEGRITY OF CHINA
Secretary Hay Has Addressed
Identical Note to Power of
Europe on Subject.
RESTRICT OPERATIONS
Purpose Is to Save China from
Invasion and Protect Her
When War Closes.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-Secretary Hay
has addressed an identical note to num-
ber of European powers to ascertain IL
they are willing to join in a notice to Rus
sia and Japan that during hostilities and
thereafter the neutrality and integrity or
China must be recognized. Details OF the
note are not obtainable in advance of the
receipt of replies. 1t is known, however,
that exchanges already have taken place
which justifies the State Department IN
expecting favorable responses to its note.
The matter has created great sensation in
diplomatic circles here.
1t is understood, relative to the question
of restricting warlike operations to the
narrowest possible limits, that the PROPOSE
ton took the form of a note to Russia and
one to Japan suggesting some such limita-
ton. In addition the neutral powers were
called on by the United States to address
themselves in the same fashion to Rus
sia and Japan, and it is intimated that the
suggestions have been well received.
1t is further learned that the proposition
of the United States contemplates re-
striction of hostilities and the consequent
hardships of war to the smallest possible
area. Just what this means is not made
clear to the public but the determination
may have the greatest effect upon the
struggle between Russia and Japan. 1t is
almost certain that neither will be al
lowed to invade China proper, meaning by
that, that they may not with hos
tile intent go southwark below
Shan-Hai-Kwan on the border line
between Chilli and Manchuria. 1t is a
W q
also to Korea, which is striving desperately
to preserve neutrality and prevent lnva-
sion, but the general opinion Is that II is
too late in that case TO do more than seek
to preserve Korean independence after the
war No explanation is accorded as to
whether Manchuria itself, already the scene
of the first battle off Port Arthur, is, being
part of China, regarded as being within
the scope of the proposition here, as in the
case of Korea, it is believed that the de-
termination will not be reached before the
close of the war.
The exchanges referred to as preliminary
to the issue of the note have been going
on for several weeks in anticipation of an
outbreak of hOStilities. IL was at first sup
posed that the intention was to do no more
than maintain the open door in Manchuria,
but IL is apparent that there is deeper
purpose and that from the original thought
the proposition has grown into one that
will conserve the territorial integrity of
China. 1t Is pointed cut that some such
outcome followed the Chino-Japanese war,
so that after all the present action Is With
in the line of precedence.
GREAT POWERS INDORSE HAY.
Announcement may be expected from the
State Department probably tomorrow. of
the hearty Endorsement by the European
powers of the note of Secretary Hay, call
ing on them to take concurrent action with
the United States in its effort to insure the
neutrality of China and to confine the Japa-
nese-Russian war to the two combat tants.
A sufficient number OF governments already
have been heard from, including Great
Britain, to insure the success of Secretary
Hays latest diplomatic move. Japan, IL
can be stated the highest authority,
welcomes the action of this government,
and while up TO a late hour tonight the
Russian position had not been ascertained,
officials of the State Department feel con-
fident the representations of this govern
ment will be received with favor at St.
Petersburg. 1t is felt that any official word
on the subject would be imprudent at the
present, but il can be said that unofiicially
ii was known in advance that Germany and
Great Britain and France and Japan were
all anxious that the neutrality of China be
preserved.
Unofficial pour parlors on the subject
were exchanged and it was pointed out by
European diplomats that the United States
had the key to the situation, being free
from entangling alliances. At the Japa-
nese embassy the principle that Secretary
Hay is contending for is indorsed.