The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-17
.DIPL LOMATS ARE ALL TALKING OF CHINA Substance of Recent Russian
 Note is Given Out CHARGES MANY VIOLATIONS Japanese Minister Says They Want to Limit War Zone But Will
 Follow Russians Wherever
 They Go.
CHARGES MANY VIOLATIONS

Washington, January 16.-China's atten- tion again has been indirectly invited by the American government to the neces- sity for a faithful maintenance of her neutrality, not only in her own personal interest. but in the interest of the world. Secretary Hay sent the full text of Count Lamsdorffs note expressing Russia's be- lief that China's neutrality has been re- peatedly violated and today prepared in- structions for the American charge at Pekin, directing him to make inquiry of the Chinese government regarding the situation.
 It is specifically desired that this ac- tion cannot in any way be constructed as indicating that this government as sumes responsibility for the charges made by Russia. Indeed, this government has received no information through it's le- gation at Pekin, nor through the various American consulates in China, that the Chinese are violating the rules of neu- trals. Nevertheless, in view of the Rus sian expected anxiety over the situation | which her investigation discloses, the American government Is ready to do what it can to save China and the other complications which it is feared would follow an extension to Chinese territory of the zone of hostiities. This Is the second time Secretary Hay, in a friendly spirit, has urged on China the advantage which strict observance of neutrality holds, not only for her people, but the remainder of the world.
 One Subject of Conversation.
 China is the one subject of conversa- tion in diplomatic circles. Al the State Department today Sir Mortimer Durand, the British Ambassador, was among the earliest callers. He had a long conversa- tion with MT. Loomis. who is acting sec retary, while Mir. Hay is confined to his house by a cold. Shortly after Sir Mor- timer left, Baron Burusche, the German charge daffaires, saw MT. Loomis for a few minutes on the same subject. As the representative of the government from which emanated the suggestion that this government invite the powers concur rently to urge on Russia. and China the respecting of Chinese neutrality, his visit 1 is significant. Later in the day came the Japanese minister. He had, however nc communication from his government, aI- though he was able to say very positively that Japan desires sincerely to adhere to her agreement regarding Chinese neu- trality.
 Chentung Liang Cheng the Chinese minister, called on Secretary Hay at his home. Although suffering from a cold the secretary is keeping in close toucf With the situation, and 1t can be stated that he has by no means relinquished the hope that China may yet be saved from breach of neutrality
 Note Reached Secretary Hay.
 The long heralded Russian note reached Secretary Hay from the Russian embassy direct It was in French and its substance was given the secretary severa days ago by Count Cassini the Russian ambassador, during a call at the state department.
 The text of the Russian note is re. garded as confidential, and for this req. son the state department has not made 1t public. The Associated Press has ob tained an approved synopsis of the note which without purporting to give the language, presents in an accurate se quence the subjects 10 which Count Lamsdorff refers.
 The Russian ambassadors to the severa powers are invited by Count Lamsdorf in the circular note to call the attention of the minister of foreign affairs of tn, governments to which they are attached of the fact that at the beginning of tn, war the imperial government, for hu mantarian reasons. announced it's de csion to the powers last February tha Russia distinctly as a condition to hei agreement to localize the war zone In sisted that China should keep strict neu trality;
 That he experience the past clever months has made .. evident that China Is unable or does not wish to adhere tt her given pledges, that without goinl further back than the Ryeshitelni Incident a. Che Foo 1t would be easy to stat, many eases in whic-. the rules of neu trality have been violated by China tt the advantage and pront of Japan: tha 1t has been established many times tha certain bodies of Chinese mounted bandit. have operated on neutrat territory, anC that they have been commanded by Jap anese officers; also that whole detach ments of the bandits have been enrolled in the Japanese army and are receiving regular remuneration from the govern ment- at Toko, and that Japanese in structors have been admitted to the Chi nese military service and accompany tn, Chinese troops stationed on the northern border of the province of Chi Ii, pro l feSSedly TOT the purpose or nalntalnlnt neutrality: that it has been ascertainet after careful inquiry that since the out break of the war the Japanese have uset the Notifications of Mic Tan as bas' for their naval operations;
 That many importations have beer made by the Japanese in neutral terri tory without interference from China also government factories at Han lar have furnished iron ore to the Japanese for the use of their soldiers;
 Lave Evasive Answers.
 That to all the protestations of the i'm perial government to Pekin regarding these incidents the Chinese charge daffalres gave vague promises and evas i've answers; that representatives con- tinually received assurance that China not content with breaches of neutrality of this kind, has been preparing to take an active part in the military operations that agitation against all the whites | without exception has taken hold on the people and is being constantly stimu- | lated
 That the imperial government finds fl | impossible not to call the attention oi | the powers to the above mentioned facts which prove clearly that it's efforts tc 1 assure the neutrality of China have fail | ed solely because of the character of the acts of the Japanese and their in- | timidating pressure on the government at PelSin and that in case the actual situation in China to which attention is now earnestly invited shall continue, Rus 1 sia in consequence will find herself | oh .iged to consider the neutrality of