Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-17
STAY NEUTRAL
Is the Somewhat Direct
Hint to China
Though Given in: An Indirect
Manner from Washington.
Powers Do Not Desire Extension Of the
War Zone.

Washington. Jan. 16.-China's atten-
ton has again been indirectly invited
by the American government to the ne
cessity for faithful maintenance OF
her neutrality. not only in her person.
al interests. but in the interest Of the
worlds peace. Secretary Hay, on the
receipt of the full text of Count Lanls-
dOrf's note expressing Russia's, be-
lief that China's neutrality had been re-
pe3tcdly Violated, today, prepared in
structions for the American charge at
Pekin. directing him to make inquiry
Of the Chinese government regarding
the situation. .--,...
Ii is specifically declared that this
action cannot in any way be construed
as Indicating that this government as
sumCs responsibility for the charges
made by Russia. Indeed this govern
mint has received no information
through the various American consul
lates in China that the Chinese are wi
olatinS the rules of neutrals.
Nevertheless. in view Of Russia's Ok
pressed anxiety over the situation in
CHINA. which her investigation dis
closes, the American government is
ready to do what it can to save China
and the other neutral powers from the
far-reaching complications which 1t is
feared would follow an extension tn
Chinese territory of the zone of hostil-
tiles.
This is the second time Secretary
Hay. in friendly spirit, has urged OFT
China tho advantages which a strict
observation of neutrality holds, not on
ly Tor her alone. but for the remainder
Of the world.
In China This is the only subject Of
conversation in diplomatic circles. At
the state department. today. Sir Mort
i:acr EuraIId. the British ambassador.
WAS among the earliest callers. He had
Il long conI ersation with Mr.. Loomis.
y ho is acting secretary Of state while
Air. Hay is confined to his house by
cold
Shortly after Sir Mortimer left. Baron
Eussche. German charge d'affairs. saw
Mr.. Loumis for a few moments on the
same subject as the representative of
the government from which enlanated
thC suggestion that the American gov
er"meIt invite the powers concurrently
to urge on Russia and Japan the re-
speeding Of thinas neutrality. his visit
was naturally significant. Later in the
dry rame the Japanese minister. He
brought. however, no communication
from his gov eminent. although he was
enabled to say very positively that Jap
an desired sincerely to adhere to her
agreement regarding China's neutrality.
Sir Chentung LANG Cheng, the Chi
nesc minister. called on Secretary Hay
AT his home. Although suffering from a
cold, the secretary is keeping in close
touch with the situation and it can be
stated that this government by no
means has abandoned he hope that
china may yet be saved from an ex-
tension of hostilities across the Dor
dcrs of Manchuria. 80
The long hcralded Russian note
reached Secretary Hay from the Rus
sian embassy direct. 1t was in French
ard its substance was given the sccre-
tary several day ago by Count Cassini.
the Russian ambassador, during a call
ut the state department. t.
Tho text of the Russian note ie re-
;,nrdod as confidential and for this rea-
son the state department has not made
ii public. The Associated Press has OBJ
tanned an approved synopsis Of the note
which, without nurporting to give the
language presents in accurate sequence
the subjects to which Count LamsdOrff
refers.
The Russian ambassadors to tn" sew
'ral powers arc invited by Count Lams-
dorff in the circular note, to cali the
attention Of the ministers Of foreign af-
fairs for the government t. which they
are respectively accredited, the fact
that at the beginning Of the war the
imperial government for humanitarian
reasons agreed to the proposal of the
Washington cabinet regarding tn, To-
caiiZatiOn of the military operations.
ana the recognition Of the neutrality
Of Chinese territory and announced Its
ecislon to the powers, last February.
That Russia, however. distinctly speci-
lied. as condition precedent to her
agreement. strict observance on the
CONTINUED on page 81