The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-15
TO DRAG CHINA INTO THE WAR
RUSSIA DECLARES THAT no BIZ
JAPAN'S AN.
Powers Warned That Gie Cars Govern
nicnt VIM soon tate Decisive Action
II Violations O: Neutrality Continue
-Japancse Can he Charges Absurd

ncnt VIM soon tate Decisive Action
II Violations q: Neutrality Cont,nuc
Japanese Can he Charges Absurd.
WAsHIS1ToE, Jan. IA synopsis Of
tho Russian note OF protest against the
attitude Of China add charges Of violations
Of Chinese neutrality has reached the State
Department through Count Cassini the
Russian Ambassador The Department will
not make tho contents OF the note public
at present, but il Is understood that the
charges are in line with the reports which
have come from st. Petersburg.
One Of Russia's limitations. as expressed
by Count Cassini. is that Japan Ia trying to
drag China into the present war. All
Europe and America have vast interests
in China, and the engaging in war with
Russia by China would be almost sure to
bring other countries into the struggle
The fun text of the note which Russia
has scnt TO all the Powers ia expected
10 arrive here within few days by mail.
The attitude Of this Government is not
yet known. but the Russian protest will
undoubtedly be a matter for much con-
slderation.
II was circular note from Secretary
Hay to the contendlng Powers that brought
about an agreement between them to limit
their field Of operations in Manchuria.
II Russia finding that China is not main
tanning her neutrality az the charges made
in the note specify, should take free action
in her attitude toward China IA she now
threatens. the field of operations will I'M
douhtedly be extended into China, and tho
latter will accordingly respond by going
To arms.
What Russia's action will be in the affair
Is a matter OF conjecture. Count Cassini
said tonight that he did not yet know.
but. whatever the action was, it would bs
most decisive. The main object in sending
the note was to call the attention Of the
Powers 10 the gravity of the situation with
regard to China.
THE situation in China is most critical
he continued, mot only for Russia, but
| for the entire world. Russia has now sent
the circular note to tho Powers, citing facts
which can be proved that the Chinese
Government has not prevented violations
| Of Chinese neutrality in niauy specific
| cases.
China has not prevented the use Of
Miaotao Island. which has been used as
japanese naval base in the operations
against Port Arthur.
The Hainan mines in China have fur
nished immense supplies Of iron for the
manufacture of munitions of war for the
Japanese
There has also been extensive CONTRA
band commerce between Chefoo and Dnlny.
! The Chinese have placed their army is
northern China under japanese Instructors
and there Is increased activity 10 the army,
showing an intention to begin extensive
military operations in favor Of the Jap
anese 1t is also true that Japanese are
leading Chinese soldiery in depredations
on the Siberian Railroad
RUSSIA issues this note 10 inform the
| Powers that she will take whatever nc ion
! she dee ms necessary to protect her own
! interests and TO Impress upon tho Power.
the gravity of the situation for II - vident
that the Japanese seek an alliance with
China, which Is not only menace 10 Rus
sian interests, but TO those as well Of all
Europe and America.
1T IL of advantage neither to Russia,
Europe nor America to push China into the
war, while Il Is to the interests Of Japan TO
do so. The effect of China > en- gaging in the
conflict IL obvious"
The Japanese officials here say the
charges are absurd One of the members OF
the legation stan said tonight that Mao
tao Island is much too small 10 be used al
naval base for the japanese and that
such charge could not be substantiated.
In regard to the charge OF rnaiang use Of
be Chinese hrigands. he says that the
Japanese had con plants on that score
when the Russians were in possession Of
Tianvang and surrounding territory
That the Hanan mines were being utll-
ized in any way by the japanese was also
declared untrue. Complaints on the part
Of Russia Of the attAGde Of tho Chinese
at hefoo were characterized az III put,
inasmuch as the Russians maintained
wire less telegraph station there until the
las ages Of the sic 20 Of Port Arthur.
Minister Tuklhira expressed great sur
prise at Russia charges but until be sees
the full note he will not commit himself.
lie said
Such charges are so surprising that I
desire to see the full note before saying
anything. can hardly realize the charges,
and want to sec them complete before l
express my opinion Of them