The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-01-20
CHINA WARNED BY AMERICA.
Secretary Hay Says Neutrality is In Her Own
Interest.

Washington, ID. Z. (Spec1al CHINA
attention has again been indirectly in
vitcd by the American Government to
the necessity for a faithful maintenance
of her neutrality not only in her per-
sonal interest. but in the interest OF the
worlds peace.
Secretary Hay ON the receipt OF the
full text of Count Lamsdorff's note ex-
pressing Russia's belief that China's neu-
trality had been repeatedly violated pre-
pared instructions for the American
charge at Picking, directing him to make
inquiry of the Chinese Government re-
garding the situation. 1t is specifically
declared that this action cannot in any
way be construed as indicating that this
Government assumes responsibility Tor
the charges made by Russia. Indeed
Mr.. Hay has received no information
through the legation at Pek1ng nor
through the American consulates IN
China. that the Chinese are violating the
rules of neutrals. Nevertheless, in view
of Russia's expressed anxiety over the
situation, the American Government IS
ready to do what it can to save emma
and the other neutral powers from the
far-reaching complications which 1t is
feared would follow an extension to
Chinese territory of the zone OF hostili-
ties,
The long-heralded Russian note reach
ed Secretary Hay from the Russian Elm
bassy direct. In substance it is as
follows:
The Russian Ambassadors to the pow
ers are invited by Count Lamsdorft to
call 10 the attention of the Governments
to which they are respectively accredited
the fact that at the beginning OF the war
the Imperial Government, for humane
tartan reasons, agreed to the proposal
of the Washington Cabinet regarding
the loca!zation of military operations
and the recognition of the neutrality OF
Chinese territory, and announced its
decision to the powers last February. .
That Russia, however, distinctly speci-
fed as a 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, purpose and IN
tent of the Washington Cabinets pro-
posal.
That the experience of the last II
months has made it evident that China
either is unable or does not wish to adj
here to her pledges; that without going
farther back than the Ryeshitelni Incl
dent at Chefu, it would be easy to state
many cases in which the rules of neutral
ity have been violated by China to the
advantage and profit of Japan; that 1t
has been established many times that
certain bodies of Chinese mounted ban
dts have operated on neutral territory
ard that they have been commanded by
Japanese officers; also that whole de-
tachments of these bandits have been en-
rolled in the Japanese army and are re-
ceiving a regular remuneration from the
Government at Toxic for their services;
that Japanese instructors have been adj
mitted all along to the Chinese military
service and accompany the Chinese
troops stationed on the northern border
o. the province of Pechili, professedly
for the purpose of maintaining neutral
ity
That it has been ascertained after
careful inquiry that since the outbreak
Of the war the Japanese have used the
islands of Matao as base for-sheir
naval operations.
That many importations have been
made by the Japanese into Dalny with
out interference of contraband of war
shipped from Chefu and other ports on
the Chinese coast; also, that the Chinese
Government factories at Hanyan fur
nished iron ore to the Japanese for the
use of their soldiers.
That in case the actual situation in
China to which attention is invited con-
tinues, Russia in consequence will find
herself obliged to consider the neutrality
of China from the standpoint of Rus
sia's interest.