The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-27
HAY AND CASS|N|
 EXCHANGE NOTES

Washington, January 26-The most in- teresting feature of the correspondence letweon t'.e State DopaI tment the Rus sIan embassy and the Chinese legation relative to Russian allegations that Chinese neutrality has been violated is a proposition from Secretary Hay that the Russian complaint should be considered by conference of the powers, sugges- tion which thus far has called forth no response. Secretary Hays answer to the Russian complaint after an assurance to Count Cassini that he had instructed our minister to China to express to the for eign office of Pekn the earnest hope of the President that China would scrupu- lously observe her neutral obligations, "any departure from which would se- riously embarrass not only China, but also the powers interested in limiting the area of hostilites," proceeds:
 q willingly took advantage of this oc- caslon, as I have of similar occasions in the past to make proof of the frank and loyal friendship which has always existed between our two nations. But I feel that I ought with the same frankness to call your excellency's attention to the fact that the Chinese government declares with great earneSIneSS that they nave constantly observed that strict neutrality in the present war which Is imposed upon them, not only by their solemn engage ment, but also by the very necessity of their 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 re- spect the neutrality of China within the limits then agreed upon."
 In his answer to Secretary Hay Count Cassini makes light of the Chinese denial of the Russian charges, which he says was of course was only to be expected, and he refuses to have the responsibility placed on Russia for maintenance of a presided neutrality. He says
 This denial of China is being met by the imperial government with a full presentation of facts, for the most part matters of public knowledge, which the foreign representatives at Pekin-those at least who wish to reach a conscien- tious appreciation of true condition of things-cannot fail to know and to report to their respective governments.
 "The present aspect of the situation is as follows:
 lncited By Japan.
 "On the one hand a series of acts unquestlonably contrary to the neutrali- ty of China and melted by Japan: on the other denials unsupported by any evil dence. l beg to take up among the facts cited in the Russian memorandum the Ryeshitelni incident at Che Foo. This incident showed to the world what heed Japan had paid to neutrality of China and the inability or unwillingness of the latter, intimidated by Japan, to enforce the neutrality of which she had as- stunned the obligations The United States and Europe saw fit to close their eyes upon that fragrant breach of neutrali- ty of China, as well as upon the deplora- ble attitude the latter assumed on that occasion Finding encouragement in that attempt, both China and Japan perse- vered in that objectionable course which placed upon Russia, scrupulously true to the promises made, the necessity of noticing at every moment the encroacb- ments of China encouraged by Japan upon the duties of the neutralities which had been imposed upon her in her own interest. and in that of the whole world. Russia surely is as mucn interested as the others powers, and perhaps even more in the maintenance of the neutral ity of China. as long as this neutrality is strictly and Loyalty observed. Engag- ed as Russia is. in a serious war, it is obviously not to her advantage to com picate the situation by creating addition al difficulties but it is impossible for her to admt for an instant that while is herself observing her duties of neu- trality, China. influenced and intimidated by Japan, may commit acts contrary to her natural obligations, and detrimen- tai to the interest of Russia
 Secretary Hay in his next communica- ton, January 23 1905. advances the propo- sition that an international conference be called to consider the subject of Chinese neutrality. This note says:
 ''Excellency-I have given consideration to your excellency's note of the 18th, in reioinder to the note addressed to you upon the 17th.
 Your excellency states that the decla- ration of China Is met by the facts ad- duced by the imperial Russian government as matters of public knowledge, and you specifically state the case of the Rye shitelni at Che Foo as an instance of the disregard of Chinese neutrality by Japan. and of the unwillingness of China to force the neutrality which she has as stunned the obligation.
 United States Kept Faith.
 "It does not seem incumbent upon me to take up the question your note seems to present touching the asserted inac- tion 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 the refugee torpedo boat in the port of a neutral by one of the bellgerents, found no encourage cement whatever; while out at titude when the Aslxold and her compan- ion vessels subsequently took refuge at Shanghai was in full announcement of the efforts and eventual success of China in enforcing neutrality.
 '.The interest of so many powers being