New-York tribune., 1905-01-17
TRYING TO SAVE CHINA.
SECRETARY HAY ACTS.
Peking Governments attention
Called to Necessity for Neutrality.

Washington. Jan. 16.-China's attention has
again been Indirectly called by the American
government to the necessity for a faithful
maintenance OF her neutrality. not only In her
personal interest. but I'm the interest of the
worlds peace. Secretary Hay. on the receipt
of the full text of Count Lamsdorff's note
pressing Russia's belief that China's neutrality
had been repeatedly violated, to-day prepared
instructions for the American charge d'Anaires
at Peking. directing him to make inquiry OF
the Chinese government regarding the situa-
tion.
II is specifically declared that this action can
not IN any way be construed as indicating that
this government assumes responsibility for the
charges made by Russia. Indeed. this govern
ment has received no information through it's
legation at Pekiug through the various Amer
lean consulates in China that the Chinese are
violating the rules of neutrals. Nevertheless.
in view of Russia's expressed anxiety over the
situa ton in China which her investigation dis
closes, the American government is ready TO
do what it China and the other
neutral powers from the far reaching compli-
cations which it is feared would follow
tension of the zone of hostiities to Chinese ter
ritory- This is the second time Secretary Hay.
in friendly spirit. has urged on China the
advantages which a strict observance of neu-
trality holds not only for her people. but the
remainder of the world
STATE DEPARTMENT CONFERENCES.
China is the one subject of conversation in
diplomatic circles. At the State Department
to-day Sir Mortimer Durand, the British Am
hassador. was among the earliest callers He
had long conversation with Mr.. LooTnis who
is Acting Secretary of State while Mr.. Hay is
confined to his house by a cold Shortly after
Sir Mortimer left the depa artment Baron
Bussche. the German Charge d'Affaires. saw
Mr.. Loomis for a few minutes on the same
subject AS the representative of the govern
ment from which the suggestion that the
American government invite the powers concur
rently to urge Russia and Japan the re-
specting of Chinese neutrality emanated. his
visit naturally OF significance. Later in
the day the Japanese Minister came. He
brought communication from his govern
ment, although he enabled to say positive
ly that Japan desired sincerely to adhere to
her agreement regarding Chinas neutrality
Sir Chentung Liang Cheng. the Chinese Min
lister. called on Secretary Hay at his home.
Although suffering from a cold. the Secretary
is keeping in close touch with the situation.
and this government has not abandoned the
hope that China may yet be saved from an X
tension of hostiitties across the borders OF Man
Chura-
RUSSIAN NOTE RECEIVED
The long heraded Russian note reached Sec
retary Hay from the Russian Embassy to-day.
It was in French. and its Substance given
TO the Secretary several days ago by Count
Cassn the Russian Ambassador, in call at
the State Department. The text of the note is
regarded as confidential and for this reason
the State Department has not made it public.
The Associated Press has obtained an approved
porting to give the language. presents in
curate sequence the subjects to which Count
Lanisdorff refers.
The Russian Ambassadors to the powers are
invited by Count Lamsdorff in the circular note
to call TO the attention of the Ministers for
Foreign Affairs OF the governments to which
they are accredited the fact that at the begin
ming of the the imperial government, for
humanitarian reasons. agreed to the proposal
OF the Washington Cabinet regarding the To-
caization of military operations and the recog-
milton of the neutrality of Chinese territory.
and announced its decision to the powers last
February.
That Russia, however. distinctly specified
a condition precedent to her agreement a
strict observance on the part of China of the
duties of neutral. and also loyal attitude on
the part of Japan toward the spirit, the pur
pose and the intent of the Washington Cabinets
proposal. as expressed in the circular note which
Secretary Hay addressed to the powers last
February.
That the experience Of the last eleven months
has made 1T evident that China either IS unable
does not wish to adhere to her given pledges;
that without going further back than the Rye
shiteIni incident at Foo, it would be easy to
state many in which the rules of neu-
traIity have been violated by China TO the adj
vantage and profit of Japan; that 1t has been
established many times that certain bodies of
Chinese mounted bandits have operated IN |
neutral territory and that they have been COM
manded by japanese officers; also that whole /
deta chments of these bandits have been en-
rolled in the Japanese army and are receiving /
a regular remunera ton from the government
at Toxic in payment of their services. and that
Japanese instructors have been admitted an
along 10 the Chinese military service and ac- |
company the Chinese troops stationed on the |
northern border of the Province of Chill. pro- !
fessedly for the purpose of maintaining neu- |
traltty.
That II has been ascertained after careful |
inquiry that since the outbreak OF the war /
the Japanese have used the islands of Madao as !
q ba So for their naval operations.
That many impOrtations have been made by I
the Ja apanese into DaIny without Interference !
Of contra band Of var shipped from Che-FOo /
the government factories at Hanyan furnished |
iron ore 10 the japanese for the use of their /
soldiers
That to all the representations and protesta- !
tions of the imperial government 70 the Pel1tng /
regarding these incidents the /
Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs gave vague (
promises and evaslve answers; that the reports I
recently received indicate that the Chinese gov {
not content with violations Of neutral I
ity of this kind, fragrant they are. is now /
seriously preparing to take active part in the /
all tho whites without exception has taken hold 4
on the people and is heirS constantly stiInu- {
lated.
That the imperial government finds il impossi- /
coll tba 4tfa Of hs IN ha