Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-17

powers from the far-reaCninS
which it is feared would follow an extern
sion of hostilities to Chinese territory. This
is the second time Secretary Hay in a
friendly spirit has urged upon China the
neutrality holds not only for her people,
but the remainder of the world.
Not Unfriendly to China.
The note of Secretary Hay relative to the
Russian charges of violation by China of
the laws of neutrality, which is to be pre-
scented to the Picking authorities by Mr..
Coolidge, secretary of the United States le-
CATION at Picking. will, it is expected. be
rather welcomed by the Chinese govern
ment as affordng it a proper opportunity
to make formal reply to the Russian
charges. 1t is certain that there is moth
ing in Secretary Hays note in any degree
menacing or calculated in any way to touch
the pride of the Chinese. 1t is further be-
lieved that the Chinese government in an
ticipation of such action by the Secretary
of State has practically prepared it's de-
Tense. That will amount to a sweeping de-
Anial of the accuracy of the Russian charges
in many points. and a declaration that
where the Russian statements are founded
on facts, they do not constitute violations OF
the laws of neutrality as accepted by the
powers
The Ryeshitelni Incident.
Touching the Ryeshtelni incident, where
the Russians complained that the Chinese
admiral and other authorities at Shanghai
permitted the neutrality of the port to be
violated by permitting Japanese torpedo
boat destroyers to enter the harbor and cut
out the Russian boat it will be alleged that
no facts have been adduced to show that
the Chinese authorities had warning of the
japanese intention, so consequently they
could not be accused of willful neglect to
take necessary precautions to protect the
nr.1f Saiz 4 inn yxyilI
also be raised as to whether the Russian
crew on the RyeShitelni had themselves OBJ
served neutrality by completely diSarming
the vessel a very essential requirement If
they were to seek the protection of the Chi
nese port authorities There is a further
question as to the ability of the Chinese ad-
miral to have prevented the Japanese seiz-
ure' even if SO disposed, because of lack of
physical force.
Chinese in Japanese Ranks.
Touching the charge that many Chinese
are serving in the Japanese army for pay,
it is believed that the Chinese government,
after questioning the truth of the allega-
ton and pointing to the failure of the Rus
slams to find Chinese among the Japanese
killed in battle, will make the point that
even If Chinese did serve as japanese SOL
diers, that fact did not of itself constitute
a violation of International law respecting
neutrality. neutral nation may be prop
erly required to prevent the organization
within It's territory of hostile expeditions
directed against a belligerent, but it can
not prevent its citizens individually from
casting their lot with either one of the
combatants
The other charge in the Russian COM
plaint-the employment of Japanese officers
to drill Chinese troops in modern tactics
will. it is believed. also be declared to be
within the rights of any power and not a
violation OF the rules of neutrality.
Dnial by Japan.
The Japanese government has been in
formed of the Russian complaint, and it is
stated here that it is preparing a complete
and categorical denial of the Russian
charges. Besides that denial, it is under
stood that the note will make some sharp
comments upon alleged violations of neu-
trality by some of the powers in favor of
Russia notably in connection with the en-
tension TO Russian vessels which We're be-
ing hotly pursued by the Japanese of rights
OF asylum in neutral ports to degree
never contemplated by the older author
tiles on international law.
Japan's Attitude.
In a conversation last night Mr. Taxa
hira the Japanese minister, reiterated that
Japan desired and intended if possible to
adhere strictly to her agreement to respect
Chna's neutrality. But" he added, .if
the Russian generals invite them to Mon
golia our commanders under the circum-
stances could hardly be expected to refuse
the invitation.
Charges of the Russian Note.
The text of the Russian note is regarded
as confidential. but an approved synopsis of
the note presents in accurate sequence,
however, the subjects to which Count
Lamsdorff refers The Russian ambassa-
doris to the several powers are invited by
Count Lamsdorff to call to the attention of
the governments to which they are re-
spectively accredited the fact that at the
beginning of the war the imperial govern
ment for humanitarian reasons agreed to
the proposal of the Washington cabinet re-
garding the localization Of military opera
lions and the recognition of the neutrality
of Chinese territory, and announced it's de-
cision to the powers last February.
That Russia, however distinctly specified
as condition precedent to her agreement
strict observation on the part of China
of the duties of neutral and also loyal
attitude on the part of Japan toward the
spirit, the purpose and the intent of the
Washington cabinets proposal as express
ed in the circular note which Secretary
Hay addressed TO the powers last Feb
ruary.
That the experience of the past eleven
months has. made it evident that China
either is unable or does not wish to adhere
to her given pledges; that without going
further back than the Ryeshitelini incident
at Chefoo would be easy to state many
cases in which the rules of neutrality have
been violated by China to the advantage
and profit of Japan; that it has been es-
tablished many times that certain bodies
OF Chinese mounted bandits have operated
on neutral territory and that they have
been commanded by Japanese officers; also
that whole detachments of these bandits
hav, been enrolled in the Japanese army
and are receiving regular remuneration
from the government at Tokyo In payment
for their services, and that Japanese in
struotors have been admitted all along to
the Chinese military service and accompany
the Chinese troops stationed on the north
ern border of the Province of Chilli pro-
fessedly for the purpose OF maintaining
neutrality.
That 1t has been ascertained after careful
inquiry that since the outbreak OF the war
the Japanese have used the islands of
Madao as a base for their naval operations.
Importations From China.
That many importations have been made