The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1904-02-18

shall be respected by both parties. and
that the area of hostilities shall be local
ICED and mited as much as possible, so
that undue excitement and disturbance
of the Chinese people may be prevented,
and the least possible loss to the com
merce and intercourse Of me world will
be occasioned."
(Signed) John Hay.
sat the same time this government
Informed all the powers signatory of
the protocol at Peking of it action, and
requested similar action on their part
Has Indirect Knowledge.
Although Russia's answer to Secretar!
Hays note asking her to respect the
neutrality of China and localize hos
tilities as much as possible has not yet
been received. the state department
knows indirectly from London and Paris
that Russia will reply favorably. 1t then
will remain for the powers to fix the scope
of their note and to draft more definite
proposition for acceptance by the two
combatants. Satisfaction is expressed
in administration circles that Great Brit
ain as we'll as Russia has decided to waive
objections to the note. 1t is expected that
all the formal answers to the secretary's
note will reach here early this week.
Russia and France Agree.
Paris, Feb. 15.-France has given Of
fetal notification of her adhesion to Sec
rotary Hays note on China. United
States Ambassador Porter and NJ. Nell
doff Russian ambassador to France,
called at the foreign Office Saturday and
held long and important conferences
with Foreign Minister Delcasse. The
conference was the third held in the last
few days, NJ. Delcasse in the meantime
having conferred with the cabinet and
consulted with Russia. The French au-
thorities were advised that Russia
waived her objections to the Hay note
thus removing the obstacles in the way
Of its acceptance by France. The ap-
prevail of Japan has not been doubted,
and this is made more certain by the
receipt of an official Japanese declara-
ton favoring the neutrality of China and
limiting the area of the war Exchanges
between Paris and the chancellories of
Europe have shown their favorable con-
sideration of the Hay note.
The semioficial Temps says the cabi-
nets of London. Paris and Berlin are
/ in accord with Secretary Hays note In
1.-THE response which the three powers
will make to the United States it will
be suggested that the text of the Ameri-
can document be clarified and simpli-
fed. The three powers agree in giving
the note construction favorable tC
China proclaiming her neutrality and
also that this neutrality be recognized
and respected throughout the period OF
hostilities, but that owing to the spe.
cial conditions prevailing in Manchuria,
which is the present theater of actual
warfare, Manchuria will not be included
under the declaration of Chinese neu.
tralfty, this exception Of Manchuria not
affecting China's rights or stipulations
in treaties. 1t is believed the United
States will accept this limitation of the
Interpretation, which: it is said, is &C.
ceptable to Russia and Japan.
The outcome of these negotiations is
considered another admirable stroke
Of American diplomacy and one which
is likely to have far-reaching conse-
quenCes in limiting the scope of the
war and its after effects.
Russians Anger Hay.
Washington, Feb. 15.-Although Sec
rotary of State Hay has announced his
purpose to keep the United States out
of the Russian-Japanese conflict, he
took action which may necessitate the
use of American warships in a demon
stratiOn against Russia. He demanded
from the government at st. Petersburg
an explanation for Russia's compul-
sorry detention of an American steam
ship, the Pleiades. in the harbor of
Port Arthur. The Pleiades sailed from
Seattle January and from Honolulu
just before the war began, taking a
cargo of -four to Port Arthur and ar
irving while the naval battles were in
progress. When the American vessel,
flying the American flag, sought to
leave Port Arthur after discharging IT'S
cargo the Russian naval authorities
forcibly detained it and the Pleiades is
yet practically prisoner of war. Sec
rotary Hay proposes to release the
Pleiades and obtain from Russia 10th
an apology and damages for its deten-
ton.
Asks Our Help.
Washington. Feb. 15.-Japau will ap-
peal to the United States to prevail on the
Russian government to release the 100
Japanese subjects reported detained at
Port Arthur Mr.. Takahira, the Japa-
nese minister, it is expected, will present
the appeal to Secretary Hay to-day. In
a cablegram received from Toxic Sun
day the minister was informed that ac-
cording to news brought to Chefoo by a
British steamer from Port Arthur 100
Japanese refugees had been taken from
the steamer by the Russian authorities
just before the vessel sailed, in spite of
the protest of the japanese. Having
agreed 10 look out for japanese citizens
in Russian territory during the war, this
government will linstruct Mr. Mccormick,
the American ambassador at st. Peters
burg, to inquire Of the Russian govern