The San Francisco call., 1905-01-25
China No Longer in
Fear of Musco-
vite Power.
Denies All Charges
of Violations of
Neutrality.
Russia in Turn Ac-
cused of Breach
of Faith.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


CALL BUREAU, POST BUILDING,
WASHINGTON, Jan. "a = China has
struck back as vigorously as diplomacy
will permit at Russia's recent charges
that the Chinese Government has
countenanced fragrant pro-Japanese
violations OF neutrality. In a note
delivered to Secretary Hay. who was
slightly i'll at his home to-day, by Sir:
Chentung Liang Cheng. the Chinese
Minister, the Peking Government not.
only vigorously and specifically denies
the Russian charges, but accuses Rus
sia of fiagrant violations of Chinese
neutrality.
This note is surprisingly vigorous for:
a Chinese document. 1t is bold diplo-
matte challenge to Russia. Sir Chem
tung advised his Government last week,
to say frankly whatever it had to4say,
and apparently his advice has been
followed
This stiffening of the backbone Of,
to the growing Japaneses influence In
China. Half dozen years ago, when
Chinese affairs were swayed by a,
clique of men at Peking, most Of
whom were under Russian influence,
the Russian charges would not have,
evoked such a radical reply. But now
the voice of the Chinese people is
potent in Peking and Japanese aeinfiu-l
ence Is growing rapidly. :.
Secretary Hay will convey this note,
tC the President. A similar note will.
be transmitted by China to an neutral.
powers.
GIST OF CHINA'S ANSWER. S.
Regarding the charge that Chinese.
re 1fcta IN fI1e To- cs<,t
army, the Chinese Government calls
attention to the fact that they We're
enlisted first by the Russian frontier
guards and fought against the Japan
csc army. If it Is true, as alleged,
that they enlisted in the Japanese
army, that Is a matter for the belliger-
ents. The reply continues:
We find no Japanese officers in our northern
army at all. We do find in the Government
school at Paotingpu several Japanese trans
lators. All Of them. however. had been en-
Soke os thew required o g%s
word Of honor to have nothing to do with the
conflict. These are on the same footing as
institutions throughout the empire and In our
maritime customs houses. China further re-
cards this & as matter after Of internal admlnistra-
to complain.
Regarding the iron ore said to have
been furnished the Japanese army, the
answer says this ore Is from certain
mines owned by Chinese merchants,
separate from the Government mines
at Hanyang.
The Maotao Islands are said to. have
been used by the Japanese as a base
for their navy. The Chinese Govern
ment for the last year has stationed
the swift cruiser Haiku to watch these
islands and the local prefect sum-
moned the gunboat Haipu to patrol
these waters. No sign Of any land
ing of Japanese has been reported to
the Government and 1t is unnecessary
to add that no such permission has
been given by the Chinese Govern
ment to japan.
SHIPMENTS OF CONTRABAND.
Regarding the articles of contra
band alleged to have been sent to
Dalny, the answer says no ships have
left Chefu with the knowledge of the
Chinese Government for Dalny, and
no clearance papers for that port have
been issued by the Chinese customs
officials. If ships have run the block
ade that is the belligerents' lookout.
China is doing all she can to maintain
it,
Regarding the Ryeshitelni incident,
it is stated that the seizure was as un-
expected by the Chinese as by the
Russians. The Chinese Government
later requested Japan to return the
vessel and while the incident is not
yet closed, China considers that her
Government has done all possible in
the matter.
The Chinese Government considers
that Russia has violated neutrality in
a number Of instances. Bridges have
been built by the Russians west Of the
Laio River and Russian troops have
encamped on the west side of the
river, which is supposed to mark the
boundary of the neutral zone. In
many places in the neutral zone the
Russians have forced the sale of pro-
visions. The Chinese have made many
arrests of Russians smuggling ammu-
nition,. arms and other contraband ar
ticles.