The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1904-02-18
NEUTRALITY PROCLAMATION.
President Warns United States Cit.
izens and Assures Diplomats.

President Warns United States Cit.
izens and Assures Diplomats.
The neutrality proclamation issued by
President Roosevelt is about as COM
piete declaration as could he conceived.
1t reiterates general principles between
nations, warns all citizens of the United
Stalcs not to aid either side, defines the
rights of all neutrals on sea, and makes
the usual declaration that ships of either
belligerent shall not remain in port of
the United States except in cases of
great emergency for more than twenty
four hours.
For the express benefit of the Russians
special attention is called to the treaty
between the United States and the Cars
government signed fifty years ago, in
which it is declared free ships shall make
free goods and that the property of neu-
trails, even if on an enemy's ship, shall
not be subject to confscation unless the
same shall be contraband of war.
Unusual stress has been laid in the
proclamation upon the section warning
citizens of the United States that they
must not enlist or aid personally either
one of the nations at war. Neutrality
is not violated by the selling of arms or
munitions of war either to Japan or to
ltussia, but neutrality is violated by any
attempt to enlist for service in the ar
Inies of either country or recruit men in
the United States who are to fight in the
army or navy either of Japan or Russia.
Persons who do this are likely to be
punished by the United States govern
ment, and persons who carry munitions
Of war on high seas do so at their peril,
for such articles are contraband of war,
and il seized at sea, even if carried by
q neutral ship, will be confiScated, and
the government of the United States will
not make the slightest effort to recover
damages for the owner.
Hays Negotiations.
Secretary Hay in his negotiations, first
of all sent individual diplomatic feelers
to France, Germany and Great Britain,
that the Chinese empire pro-
per, 10y which, of course, he meant terri
tory exclusive of the seat of war, which
is Manchuria and Korea, should not be
considered as the subject in dispute, but
that it should be preserved intact by joint
action of neutral powers, and for this
purpose its absolute neutrality should be
guaranteed to them. A favorable reply
TO this was received from all three great
powers which took an important part in
the restoration of order and the rescue
Of diplomats at Pekin in 1900.
Having secured this informal assur
nnce of moral support. the Secretary
next forwarded an identical note to Rus
sia and Japan suggesting they should join |
with neutral nations not in the agree |
hrrt in fho ctap
that hostilities in Manchuria and Korea |
should not he considered as preliminary |
10 the partition of the Chinese empire |
tself
Still the third step was taken when
he governments of France, Germany
md Great Britain sent the same kind of
| note to Russia and Japan.
Thereupon Secretary Hay Immediately
enlarged the sphere of his diplomatic ac-
iyity, and sent his notes regarding the
neutrality and integrity of China to Italy.
Spain. Belgium and
he Netherlands.
Subsequently the idea of localization
# hostilities was submitted directly to
susSia and Japan, md it seems that in
Il Petersburg and Paris there has been
onstant confusion between an attempt
o limit hostilities to the natural sphere
f action and concurrent action by nell
raj nations to keep Chino out of the
ght and therefore out of the danger bf
Japan has agreed to accept everything
uggested by Mr.. Hay. 1t is Russia
which is holding back. France, an ally
t Russia, is quite willing to take action
o secure the neutrality of China, but
) not yet quite ready to admit that the
,hinese empire itself may not be made
proper subject of a treaty of peace
etween Russia and Japan.
The representatives of Japan and Rus
ia were assured it was not the purpose
f The State Department to interfere il
ny way with actual military operations.
he sole suggestion made by Mr.. Hay
as that the armies should confine their
t.eniiOn to the things in dispute, and
hould not go wandering all over Asia,
evastating neutral countries while os-
snsibly running away from or pursuing
lie enemy.
Jews have been taken up by European
ations. even including France, seems to
how that they are suspicious of both
apan and Russia, and are anxious to
ave some guarantee that they will not.
nder the guise of a treaty of peace be-
xeen each other, swallow up both Korea
nd Manchuria and leave the great neu-
al nations to hold the bag
SSS:ss. ->t-