New-York tribune., 1905-01-20
yEUTRAL1TY UNDER DIFFICULTIES

China deserves sympathy. She is trying 10
be neutral but the belligerents viii not let her.
There is reason 10 believe that ar the beginning
OF the war she regarded one belligerent with as
much or as little favor as the other and sincere
" meant TO hold the balance true between them.
We have seen 10 cause since for thinking she
has changed her policy. Her situation has, how
ever, been an uncommOnly trying one. Although
she IS not q party to the war, the war is being
fought upon her soil In such circumstances a
large part OF her lands and waters must be re-
s,arded as the very reverse OF neutral, and it is
obviously difficult 10 draw and 10 maintain a
hard and fast line between what is and what is
lot neutral The American government sug-
gested that that should be done as far as posi-
be and the beIligerents agreed TO do so. Per-
haps they have done so 10 the best Of their
ability. Perhaps, TOO. It was too much TO expect
q strict delimitauOn Of the field Of war. If the
Russians were fighting the japanese IN the Chi
nese province Of Shing-King, and saw they
could win great advantage by making a side
raid into Chi-Li, also a Chinese province, II
would be contrary 10 human nature 10 expect
them 10 refrain from doing so. If the japanese
were using the Blonde and Elliot islands as
bases Of operations against the Russians. and
found II 70 their advantage thus TO employ the
Miao-Tao Islands, il was only natural for them
70 occupy the latter group.
There are charges and countercharges. Rus
sic complains that Japan occupied the Miao-Tao
Islands, "cut OUT a Russian vessel at Che-Foo
and enjoyed special and exclusive commercial
facilities On the Chinese coast. Japan replies
that Russian armies occupied land outside Of
Manchur1a, that q Russian military telegraph
station was maintained at Che-Foo, and thar
Russian ships abusively presumed upon the hos
pitaliry Of Chinese harbors. Nor are complaints
limited to the Far East Japan sees what she
regards as breaches Of neutrality elsewhere.
She thinks France has acted wrongly IN giving
10 the Russian feet so prolonged use Of French
harbors and coaling stations. Thus, charges and
complaints lead 10 threats OF grave retaliation
against China for something which she has not
desired and has not been able to prevent. until
finally the good Offices Of America are practl-
cally asked for all around for q settlement of
tie troubles.
The fact is that neither OF the belligerents has
seemed much inclined 70 forfeit or 10 forego an
advantage through an excessively strict inter
probation OF the neutrality laws-which are not
laws, after all but very elastic customs-while
the rest Of the world has largely misapprehended
The force and application OF those so-called laws
II has seemed strange for France 10 give asylum
and supply 10 Russian warships. Yet she has a
perfect right to do so. unless she has herself
specially Fenounced II. One nation may ordain
that slips Of beliigerent shall remain In its
ports not more than twenty-four hours and shall
receive 10 more coal than is necessary TO carry
them 70 their nearest home port Another NAV.
with equal pr0priety and with equally scrupu-
lors regard for the principles and practice OF
neutrality. permit the ships 10 stay In its ports
as long as they please and to take aboard all
lie coal they want. The only thing that can be
required Is that IL shall treat both beIligerents
slike. II would probably be good thing 10