New-York tribune., 1905-01-25
CHINA PUTS In A DENIAL
THEN ACCUSES RUSSIA
Bandits First Enlisted for Cars
44rmg, 1t Is CHARGED


American governments communication calling
attention to the Russian charges that the Chi
nese were violating neutrality was delivered to
Secretary Hay at his home to-day by Sir Chen
tung LANG -Cheng. the Chinese Minister. It
viii later be sent to the President
Regarding the charge that Chinese bandits
were enlisted in the japanese army, the Chinese
government calls attention the fact that they
were enlisted first by the Russians as frontier
guards and fought against the Japanese II it
is true. alleged. that they enlisted in the
japanese army. that is matter for the beIIig-
erents. in the opinion of the Chinese govern
ment. The subjects of a neutral power have the
right, as private citizens, 10 enlist in foreign
army. This is an established fact in the law Of
nations for which China cannot be held respon-
sible. Whenever these bandits entered the Chi
nese neutral zone every effort made for
their arrest and punishment. and in most cases
they have been arrested the answer declares
We find no Japanese officers in our northern
army at all. We do find in the government
school in Pao-Ting-Fu several japanese trans
lators. All of them, however. had been engaged
before the war, and after hostilities broke out
they were required to give their word OF honor
to have nothing to do with the conflict They
are on the same footing as Russians and other
foreigners in educational institutions throughout
the empire and in our mdrltlne custom houses.
China further regards this q matter of inter-
nal administration of which no other govern
ment has cause TO complain China sets forth.
Regarding the iron said to have been fur
nished the japanese army, the answer says this
is from certain mines owned by Chinese
merchants, separate from the government mines
at Han-Yang. The iron sold has not gone
through the furnace process. The transaction
is entirely between japanese and Chinese mer-
chants, and in fulhment or contract made in
1900. The transactions are not recognized by
the Chinese government. International law does
not include this article under the head of con-
trc hand of war
the Matao Islands are said to have been used
by the japanese as a base for their navy. The
Chinese government for the last year has sta
toned the swift cruiser Haiku TO watch this
island. and the local prefect summoned there
the gunboat Haipu 10 patrol those waters. No
sign of any landing of japanese has been re-
ported TO the government, and lit is unneces-
sary add that such permission has been
given by the Chinese government to JAPAN" the
Chinese note says
Regarding the articles of contrabard alleged
10 have been sent to Dalny the answer says no
ships have left Che-Foo for Dalny with the
knowledge of the Chinese government, and no
clearance papers for that port have been issued
run the blockade that is the belgerents' look
out China is doing all SIC can to maintain it,
she AYERS. ...-....
Regarding the Ryeshitelni incident. it is stated
that the seizure was as unexpected by the Chi
nese as by the Russians. The Chinese govern
ment did everything il could against such seiz-
ure The Chinese government later requested
Japan TO return the vessel, and while the Incl
dent is not yet closed. China considers that her
government has done all possible in the mat
Ter.
The Chinese government considers that Rus
sia has violated neutrality in a number of in
stances Bridges have been built by the Rus
slams the Lao River and Russian troops
have encan1ped on the west side of the river,
which is supposed to mark the boundary line OF
the neutral zone. In many places in the neutral
zone the Russians have forced the sale of pro-
visions. The Chinese have made many arrests
of Russians smuggling ammunition, arms and
other contra band articles.
The captain OF the Ryeshitelni, while going to
Css,~.,x -
stated in conclusion. that in view of the base
less charges made by belligerent China feels il
incumbent upon her TO make this answer and
let the truth be known: that the Chinese gov
ernnent has not swerved one iota from her
neutrality. and that the general attitude of her
people is peaceful and has been appreciated as
such by the powers.