Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-05
Generalization ofthe Powers
toRespect Chinese Neutrality.
HINT WAS FROM BERLIN
THIS COUNTRY BEST FITTED TO
TAKE THE INITIATIVE.
German Emperor Thanked by the Presi-
dent for His Suggestion - Diplo-
matte Correspondence Published.

ThPt * was upon the suggestion of EG1
peror William that President Roosevelt in
February of last year undertook to ar
range concerted action on the part of the
neutral powers for the purpose of inducing
the belligerents in the far east to re-
spect the neutrality of China is for the
first time officially indicated in the adj
vance sheets of Foreign Relations made
public at the State Department today. 1t
has been limited for long time that the
German Emperor was the initiatory force
in these important exchanges. but 1t has
until now been impossible to obtain official
confirmation of the fact.
The Correspondence Published.
In the correspondence with Germany is
included the paraphrase of cablegram adj
dressed by Secretary Hay to Mr.. Tower,
United States ambassador at Berlin, Feb
ruary IL after Germany's acceptance of
the invitation of Secretary Hay had been
received. directing the ambassador ito con-
vey to the emperor the Presidents pro-
found appreciation of his generous initiative
and powerful cooperation in the matter
of Chinese neutrality"
The official paraphrase of Mr.. Towers
reply. dated February II, reads:
MI Tower reports that he has conveyed
to the emperor the profound appreciation
of the President of his initiative and coop
GRAFTON in the matter of Chinese neutrality,
and that the emperor was exceedingly graf
flied and expressed most friendly sentiments
toward the President"
II is significant that in the acknowledge
ment of the acceptances by the other
powers of the program suggested by Sec
rotary Hay in his note of February only
in the case of Germany did the President
send personal message of appreciation to
the sovereign.
German EnLperor's Reasons.
1t is now possible to state that the rea-
Germany's initiative was kept secret
because of the German emperor's be-
lief that the suggestion about Chinese
neutrality would be the more certain of
success If emanating from Washington,
particularly in view of Secretary Hays
previous activities in the same direction
after the Boxer troubles of 1900. Accord
ingly his suggestion was conveyed to the
President through Baron Sternburg. the
German ambassador Secretary Hay re-
turned at once from the south, and after
conference with the President he under
took the far-reaching diplomatic move to
which is due the fact that China's neutral
ity has thus far been for the most part
respected by Russia and Japan.
At the present moment the further dis
closures in the volume of foreign rela
lions regarding the attitude of the several
powers to the Hay proposal of last Feb
ruary are significant.
Lord Lansdowne's Question.
1t is shown that Lord Lansdowne. before
Indicating Great Britain's acceptance. de-
sired to know whether Manchuria was in
cluded within the phrase neutrality of
China" He was answered in general terms
that it was the desire of the Washington
government to secure the smallest area OF
hostilities and the largest possible area of
neutrality compatible with the military
necessities of the belligerents"
France. through NJ. Delcasse, according to
hl dor H.
the proposal in the best spirit showed a
little anxiety to know the exact signif-
canoe OF the phrase administrative en-
uty. This phrase. 1t can be stated. was
not included In Emperor Williams sugges-
ZION, which concerned the general question
OF chinese neutrality, but 1t is the creation
or Secretary Hay. Later France sgnified
her full acceptance.
Italy preferred to await the views of the
cabinets at Berlin, Paris and London be-
iore actively participating in the plan, and
Austrla-Hungary was equally reticent. Am
bassador Storer says of his interview with
Count Goluchowsk on the subject, the for
elgn minister was quite cool and rather
pesstmistic so far any effect could be an
tcipated."
Germany's Answer.
In making known the answer of the Ger
man government Ambassador Tower report
ed that the German government sympa-
thizes fully with the purpose of the United
o'@' oi pehdll VI humanity, the prOtec-
tion or foreigners in China, the mainte-
nance OF order and the safeguarding of the
commerce of the world" and that Ger
many believes that to attain these pur-
poses the support of the neutrality of China
would be the most available means and the
German government Is prepared to act in
harmony with the United States and the
other neutral powers to assure the neu-
ualty Of China in so far as this may be
compatible with the respective military in
terests of the belligerent powers"