The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-20
PLANNED TO DIVIDE CHINA.
HAYS PROMPT MOVE CHECKED
NEUTRAL POWERS SCHEME.
state Department 10 Publish Correspond
ence Showing That the Nations OF
Europe Only Awaited the Wars End
20 Seize China--New Russian Note.

20 Seize China-New Russian Note.
WASHINGTON, Jan. l0.--The State De part
ment will soon make public correspondents
forming an interesting chapter in world
history, of which, up TO this time, nothing
has been known outside the imme diate
inner circle concerned. IL deals with
suspected compact on the part Of European
Powers 10 divide up the Chinese Empire
among themselves as soon as the war be-
tween Russia and Japan was ended. How
it was frustrated, or at least checked Is
an interesting story which the state De-
partment correspondence will disclose.
The attitude Of the Powers, as set forth
In the correspondence, is ofespecial interest
and importance just now, because 1t CON
Germs intimately the present international
exchanges over the situation produced
by Russia S charges against China. which
are believed to be forerlnner of an inten-
ton on the part Of the Cars Government
to take radical action that will seriously
affect the maintenance OF China's political
and territorial integrity.
Secretary Hay learned recently of an
arrangement that was being discussed
among neutral nations OF Europe having
for its object the territorial division OF the
Chinese Empire among themselves when
Japan and Russia had finished fighting. or
perhaps sooner.
Mr.. Hay took prompt action. He made
inquiries through American diplomatic
representatives abroad which tended to
confirm the disquieting report, and being
satisfied that something was In the wind he
prepared to make another stand to save
China
Mr.. Hay could not, without fear Of CIV
ing offence directly accuse the suspected
nations Of having decided, without con-
sulting the United States, TO put an end
10 Chinese integrity, but he found another
way to accomplish the result sought, by
addressing an Identical note to the neutral
European Powers asking them 10 reiterate
their previous pledges TO respect the -ad-
ministrative entity" OF China. to adhere
to the principle Of the open door and
10 seek no special advantages from the
Chinese Government without the knowl-
edge of all other nations concerned in the
Chinese question.
Responses have been received from the
nations addressed, and they are OF very
gratifying character. Mr. Hay has sue
oeeded not only in securing repetiti on
OF previous satisfactory views OF these ma
tons but in most cases the responses
have been more emphatic than hereto
fore In declaring the policy OF the United
States 10 be sound and wise.
Through a confusion OF these exchanges
with tho negotiations now in progress
over tho Russian charges against China
the idea has been obtained by diplomats
and others that the neutral European ma
tons have made complete responses to
Secretary Hays inquiries as to their attl-
tude on the new position Russia has assumed
toward the Chinese Government.
II was learned to-day however, that
the Russian charges are still subject OF
exchange. and it cannot be said definitely
at this time that they have reached the con-
Guiding stage. but enough has come TO
light, through the preliminary poWpar-
ers In connect on with the reiteration
Of the pledges to justify the hope that any
attempt by Russia TO seize Chinese terri
tory or take other radical measures against
that Empire, OF the ground that China
i. allied with japan, will at least meet with
tine disapprobation of neutral nations.
These circumstances indicate sufficiently
the seriousness of the present situation,
OF which China is the centre; but additional
action by Russia to-day has made the case
more complicated and critical In com
munication TO this Government, the result
doubtless Of the activity which Secretary
Hay ia displaying in an effort 70 avert a
catastrophe to China the Government OF
Russia has repeated its charges Of violation
of neutrality by the Chinese in langua go
stronger than was used in the original note
embracing its complaints. Special stress
is laid on the Retshitelny incident in which
a dismantled Russian torpedo boat in the
neutral Chinese harbor OF Chefoo was
boarded by men from Japanese vessels
and captured 1t is alleged that the Chinese
grossly failed in this care to exercise their
duty as neutrals in afording protection TO
the Retshitelny.
The note il significant also in containing
an intimation that Russia is not pleased
with the attitude displayed by the United
States. IL was presented personally 70
Secretary Hay by Count Cassini, the Russian
Ambassador, at visit to the State Depart
ment to-day