New-York tribune., 1905-04-06
THE KAISER SUGGESTED 1T
NEUTRALITY OF CHINA.
Germany's Initiative Disclosed IN
Official Correspondence.

Washington. April SIT was the sugges-
ton of Emperor William that President Roose-
velt last February undertook to arrange con-
certed action on the part OF the neutral powers
for the purpose Of inducing the belltgerents IN
the Russo-Japanese War to respect the neutral
ity OF China. This fact is for the first time ofii-
cially disclosed in the advance sheets OF the
volume of Foreign Relations" made public at
the State Department to-day. It has been hint
ed for long time that the German Emperor
was the initiatory force in these important ex-
changes. but it has been impossible to obtain
any Official confirmation of the report.
The correspondence with Germany includes
paraphrase of a cable dispatch addressed by
Secretary Hay to Mr. Tower. the American Am
bassador at Berlin. on February 10. after Ger
many's acceptance of the invitation of Secre-
tary Hay had been received directing the AM
bassador Ito convey to the Emperor the Presi-
dents profound appreciation of his generous
initiative and powerful cooperation in the mat
ter Of Chinese neutrality
The official paraphrase Of Mr.. Towers reply.
dated February IL, follows;
Mr.. Tower reports that he has conveyed to the
Emperor the profound appreciation of the Presi-
dent of his initiative AMI cooperation in the
matter o9 Chinese neutrality and that the En-
peror was exceedingly gratifed. and expressed
most friendly sentiments toward the President.
1t is significant that in the Acknowledgement
OF the acceptances by the other powers of the
programme suggested by Secretary Hay in his
note of February s. 1904. only in the case of
Germany did the President send a personal mes
sage of appreciation to the sovereign.
In making known the answer Of Germany.
Ambassador Tower reported that ''the German
government sympathzes fully with the purpose
Of the United States on behalf Of humanity. the
protection Of foreigners In China. the main
tenance of order and the safeguarding of the
commerce of the world" and that Germany
believes that. to attain these purposes. the sup
port Of the neutrality Of China would be the
most available means, and the German govern
ment is prepared to act in harmony with the
United States and the other neutral powers to
assure the neutrality Of China In so far as
this may be compatible with the respective
military interests of the belligerent powers
The reason Germany's initiative was kept
secret was because of the Emperor's belief that
the suggestion about Chinese neutrality would
be more certain Of success if emanating from
Washington. particularly in view OF Secretary
Hays previous activity in the same direction
after the Boxer troubles Of 1900. Accordingly
his suggestion was conveyed to the President
through Baron Won Sternburg. the German
Ambassador. Secretary Hay returned at once
from the South. and, after a conference with
the President and the German Ambassador
undertook the far-reaching diplomatic move to
which is due the fact that China's neutrality
has thus far been for the most part respected
by Russia and Japan
The further disclosures in the new volume Of
Foreign Relations" regarding the attitude Of
the powers toward Mr.. Hays proposal Of last
February significant.
1t is shown that Lord Lansdowne before in
dicating Great Britains acceptance, desired to
know whether Manchuria was included within
the phrase neutrality of China" He was
answered in general terms that 1t was the desire
smallest area Of hostilities and the largest pos
sible area of neutrality compatible with the
military necessities Of the belligerents"
France. through NJ Delcasse according to
Ambassador Porters report while receiving the
proposal in the best spirit. showed "a little
anxiety" to know the exact significance of the
phrase administrative entity" This phrase
was not included in Emperor Williams sugges-
ton which concerned the general question of
Chinese neutrality. but was the creation of
Secretary Hay. Later France signifed her full
acceptance.
Italy preferred to await the views of the Cab
inets at Berlin, Paris and London before taking
an active part in the plan. and Austria Hungary
was equally reticent. Ambassador Storer says
the Foreign Minister was cool and rather PES
simistic so far any effect could be antict-
pated."