The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-21
"G00DNOW IS A
VICTIM OF SPITE"
Arthur H. White, Former Vice
Consul at Shanghai, in Min
neapois Today.
CONSUL Is ON THE WAY I'd
TO FACE HIS ACCUSERS
Trade and Political Interests In
volved in the Russian-Jap-
anese War.

A. II. White, Until recently Un1JeQ
States vice consul general at Shanghai,
He arrived this morning from China
and is spending the day renewing old
acquaintance. In Shanghai Mr.. White
was associated, for more than five years,
with John Goodnow, United States con-
sui general for Shanghai and the sur
rounding district.
"Mr. Goodnow is now on his way
home to investigate and answer the
numerous charges that have been made
said Mr.. White. "He is coming volun-
tarily, having asked the privilege Of
leaving his post to make the trip. Usu-
ally, when serious charges are preferred
against consul, he is summoned home,
but the government did not do so in
Mr.. Goodnow IS case.
"These charges are brought by
coterie of malcontents in Shanghai who
are personal enemies of the consul.
Their accusations are without the slight
est foundation and supported by the
I flimsiest of affidavits. From personal
! knowledge, I can say that they are false
and malicious. @@.
Goodnow Is Popular. .......-
'tThers is another side to the case.
Mr.. Goodnow enjoys the full confidence
uUs ~
recent trouble in maintaining the neu-
trality. of China, the Picking govern
ment issued many orders concerning the
administration Of harbor and docking
privileges at Shanghai. These orders
were issued to.sthe head administrator
of the Shanghai district and always
=, with instructions to consult with MI.
GGoodnow. He is the senior consul at At
Shanghai and is easily the leader OF
the thirteen consuls representing as
many great nations. His seniority
makes him presiding officer at all meet
ings and his words and actions
i are accepted without question by these
representatives. If there was anything
wrong with the consul or his admins
tration, he could not long hold this
position or the confidence of the Chinese
government and his associates In the
consular service. E. PA.
"The Washington government knows
how Mr.. Goodnow stands in the esteem
| of the Chinese government. The latter
government has taken the trouble to
| let it's kindly feelings be known. Mr..
Goodnow was out in China working to
the limit of his ability as consul, and
this crossfire Of charges was going on
here in this country until it became I'M
bearable. The government, when petit
toned for leave to come home and clear
them away, granted the permission, but
added that Mr.. Goodnow could come
when he pleased I left Shanghai on
Dec. 2l, and Mr.. Goodnow planned to
leave about Jan. 10. believe he is
now on his way. ~-..
China Is Neutral. .....
"China has used every effort to be
neutral during the war. The
charges that she has violated neutral
ity I believe to be unfounded. Sympa-
thy is with Japan, but further than this
I do not think she has gone. American
trade in Manchuria has been at a
standstill since the war started, but it
will probably open up again now that
Port Arthur is out Of the way. The
United States trade with Manchuria
was greater than that Of any other ma
tion before the war, and once the wal
is settled T think it will be recovered
! "There is nothing in the talk that
Russia left Port Arthur to it's fate. ]
know that Russia spent thousands, and
I might say millions, attempting to re-
lieve the citadel. Every possible
scheme was tried to get supplies an6
war materials into the fortress. The
Russ, personally, is splendid fellow
but he was caught unprepared for this
war. The Russians did not expect japan
to strike. I think Japan has gone
about as far as she can, and there i
no telling when the war will end.
Russians Are Tricky.
"Russians are tricky-just as tricky
as Japanese. When the destroyer Ros
toropny arrived in Chi-fu zharbor, thu
Japanese consul Immediately demand
ed that she 60 out and meet the fv.
Japanese vessels outside or dismantle
This was communicated to the Russian
commander, and that evening the Ras
toropny was 4 blown up, so report said
I heard later a pretty scheme involved
in the Explosion The story wen
that the boat was not damaged in thu
!, slightest degree and that she sunk thr,
, the opening of the plugs in her bot
, tom. The story continued to the eff
feet that Russians were going to sell
, her to some private Individual VIII
/ would 'start for Singapore about il
time to meet the Baltic feet Jus
! how the scheme will work, if the stor,
is true, remains to be seen.
ct have resigned from the consula
3 service and am going on east to visi
8 relatives. shall return to China in
! year or two and embark in business
: Mr.. Goodnow will be on in few week
9 and the investigation Of the charge
; against him will result in complet