New-York tribune., 1905-01-27
NEUTRALITY OF CHINA.


Continued from first page
/ has always existed between our two nations
| But / feel that ought. with the same frank
ness, TO call your excellency's attention to the
| fact that the Chinese government declare with
| great earnestness that they have constantly OBJ
| served that strict neutrality in the present war
! which is imposed upon them, not only by their
I solemn engagements. but also by the very neces-
sity Of their Independent existence. and that the
| government of Japan insist that they have kept
| and intend to keep inviolate the pledges they
made at the beginning of the war to respect the
neutrality OF China within the limits then agreed
upon.
COUNT CASsINFS REPLY.
In his answer to Secretary Hay Count Cas-
SIM makes light of the Chinese denial of the
Russian charges, which he says was, of course,
only to be expected. and he refused to have the
responsibility placed Russia for maintenance
of one-sided neutrality. He says:
This denial of China is met by the imperial
government with the presentation OF full series
OF facts, for the most part matters OF public
knowledge. which the foreign representatives at
Peking-those, at least who wish to reach a
conscientious appreciation of the true condition
of thngs-cannot fail to know and to report to
their respective governments
The present aspect of the situation is as fol-
lows; On the one hand, series of acts, unques-
tionably contrary to the neutrality of China and
melted by Japan; on the other, denials unsup-
ported by any evidence. l beg to take up,
among the facts cited in the Russian memo
randum. the Ryeshitelni incident at Che-Foo.
This incident showed to the world what heed
Japan paid to the neutrality of China and the
inability or unwillingness of the latter, intimi-
dated oy Japan to enforce the neutrality of
which she had assumed the obligations. The
United States and Europe saw flt to close their
eyes upon that fragrant breach of neutrality of
emma, as well as upon the deplorable attitude
the latter assumed that occasion Finding
encouragement in that attempt, both China and
Japan perseVered in that Objectionable course,
which placed upon Russia, scrupulously true to
the promises made the necessity of noticing at
every moment the encroachments of China, en-
couraged by Japan, upon the duties OF the neu-
trality which had been imposed upon her in her
own interest and in that of the whole world
Russia surely is as much interested as the other
powers, and perhaps even more, in the main
tenance Of the neutrality OF China long as
this neutrality is strictly and Loyalty observed
Engaged as Russia is in serious war, it is OBJ
Vlously not to her advantage to complicate the
situation by creating additional difficulties but
it is impossible for her to admit for an instant
that. while she is herself observing her duties Is
neutrality, China influenced and !ntimidated by
Japan, may commit acts contrary to her neutral
obligations and detrimental to the interests of
Russia.
SECRETARY HAYS PROPOSAL.
Secretary Hay in his next communication.
dated January %. 1905. advances the PROPOSE
tion that an international conference be called
TO consider the whole subject of Chinese neutral
ity This note says:
Excellency: have given careful attention to
your eXcellencys note of the 18th instant in
rejoinder to the note addressed to you the
18th.
Your excellency now states that the declara-
ton OF China is met by the facts adduced by the
imperial Russian government as matters of pub
lie knowledge, and you specifically cite the case
OF the Ryeshitelni at Che-Foo an instance of
the disregard of Chinese neutrality by Japan
and Of the inability or unwillingness of China
to enforce the neutrality of which she has as
sumed the obligations
1t does not seem incumbent upon me to take
up the question your note seems to present,
touching the asserted inaction of the United
States and Europe. So far as the course of the
United States is concerned, the correspondence
exchanged at the time shows that the seizure of
by one of the belligerents found no encourage
ment whatever, while attitude when the
Askold and her companion vessels subsequently
took refuge at Shanghai was in full encourage
ment Of the efforts and eventual success OF
China in enforcing neutrality 70
The interest of SO many powers being deeply
affected by the continuance and observa vance Of
the neutrality of China, and their keen solicit
tude for the maintenance of that neutrality and
it's observance by both the belgerents, having
been so conspicuousy manifested many
casions, the government of the United States
does not at this moment feel that it is called upon
to~expreSS an isolated judgment to consider
the adoption Of individual course of action,
looking to the observation of that neutral status
which we all desire. 1t would, on the other hand,
seem that this general solicitude of all the in
terested States would make it expedient and
proper that the matters concerning which the
Russian government raises an international is
sue, should be considered in a conference of the
powers.
of the reply of the Chinese Foreign Office to the
Russian charges full abstract of which was
telegraphed recently from Washington.