The San Francisco call., 1905-01-18
Hays Note Given
to Russian En-
bdSSddOP.
Special Dispatch to The caiL

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17-Secretary
Hays reply to the Russian note al
leging violations of China's neutrality
was handed to Count Cassini, the Rus
sian Embassador. to-day. At the same
time copies of the note were dispatched
to all European powers which ap-
proved or the agreement for the lini-
tation Of the zone of hostiiities.
While the communication Is couched
in the most polite language of diplo-
macy, there is no mistaking it's mean
ing. 1t expresses confidence in the be-
lief that the Chinese Government has
committed no breach of neutrality, but,
on the other hand. has exerted itself
to maintain a strictly proper attitude.
and urges the Czar to adhere to the
agreement by which the war zone was
limited.
Hay also addressed a note to China,
through the American legation in Pc
king, which has a double purpose. It
formally admonishes the Chinese Gov
ernment to maintain an attitude which
can give neither belligerent just ground
for complaint and follows this per-
functory advice with an inquiry as to
the truth of the Russian charges that
China's neutrality has been violated
This inquiry Is made to give the Gov
ernment In Pekfng an opportunity to
reply to the Russian note. The Chinese
Government is afraid to answer direct
ly the Russian charges with a note to
st. Petersburg, but 1t is anxious to
strike at the CZar over Hays should
ers, and Hay Is quite willing that IL
should.
Hay already knows that the Chinese
reply will be a vigorous denial of all
of the Russian charges. 1t will con-
tend that in every possible way China
has preserved her own neutrality, but
will give dates and details of viola
tions Of China's neutrality by Russia.
1t will point out the dangers to the
peace of Europe which will result
from continued invasion OF Chinese
territory by Russian troops.
Touching the charge that many Chi
nese are serving in the Japanese army
for pay, the Chinese Government, af-
ter questioning the truth of the alle-
cation and pointing to the failure of
the Russians to find Chinese among
the Japanese killed in battle, will
raise the point that even II Chinese
did serve as Japanese soldiers, such
fact does not OF itself constitute a vio-
lation Of international law respecting
neutrality. A neutral nation may
properly be required to prevent the
within its territory Of hos
tile expeditions directed against a bell
llBcIents out 1t CANNOT prevent It's Clti-
zens individually casting their lot with
either one of the combatants.
The other charge in the Russian COM
plant, namely, the employment OF
Japanese officers to drill Chinese troops
in modern tactics, will, 1t Is believed.
be declared to be within the rights Of
any power, and not a violation OF the
rules of neutrality.
Hay will make China's reply public
and in this way China will get her
side of the case before the world. II
will be intimated that China's reply
is fully believed by this Government.
Russia to-day, through Count Cas-
sini, expressed her thanks to the
American Government for its prompt
action in calling China's attention to
the charges that her neutrality was be-
ing violated
ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. II. - The
Government of the United States has
not lodged a protest with Russia
against General Mistchenko's opera
tions west of the Liao River, as cur
rently reported. The Foreign Office
points out that the sphere OF hostili-
ties, as specifically defined by Russia
at the opening OF the war, extended
from the line of the Mongolian frontier
to the point where 1t intersected the
Liu River. a tributary of the Lao
River, along the Lao River and along
the Liu River to the point where it
crossed the Yinkow- -Shanhaikwan rail-
road. thence along the railroad to the
Lao River, thence to the left bank and
to the mouth only of the latter A
small section Of the right bank Is be-
yond the sphere. and there is no uues-
tion of General Mistchenko having en-
tered neutral territory.