Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-02-01
conference OF
POWERS PROPOSED
THE PLAN OF SECRETARY HAY
WHICH MAY END Russo
JAPANESE WAR.
CHINESE NEUTRALITY
THE NOMINAL OBJECT
Meeting May Pave Way for Negotia-
tons for Peace Text Of Recent
Note Of State Department Official
Made Public.

washington, Jan. Z8.-Secretdry Hay
has taken q new and most important step
in regard TO the Russian-Japanese war.
he has gone 10 the extent of proposing
formal conference Of powers TO determine
whether or not China has maintained it's
neutrality. This conference nominaLy
would concern itself only with the ques-
ton OF Chinese neutrality, and hence it
does not follow that either Russia or
Japan necessarily would take part in the
conference. 1t does not seem unreason-
able to suppose, however, that Secretary
Hays suggestion. if adopted, and If the
conference actually was called, would re-
suit, sooner or later, in the extension OF
the good offices of one or more nations in
the direction of peace
Secretary Hays Note.
The full text of Secretary Hay's
circular telegram to the powers of
January IL, intended to insure.
the protection Of Chinese integrity.
no matter what may be the out
come of the war now in progress
between Russia and Japan, has been
made public. The telegram was sent
to the American ambassadors and
ministers to Germany, Austria. Bel
GUM, France. Great Britain, Italy and
Portugal, all neutral powers, thus
leaving Russia and Japan bound in
this respect only by their original
pledges given in the early days Of the
war. All of the powers addressed, save
Belgium and Portugal, have replied tc
the American representations, the cor
respondence showing them as teatirely
agreeing with the position taken by
the government OF the United States.
and declaring their constant adhesion
to the policy of tie integrity of China
and the open door, in the orient
The text Of the secretary's note is as
follows:
1T has come to our knowledge that
apprehension exists on the part OF
some of the powers that in the even
tual negotiations for peace between
Russia and Japan claim may be made
for the concession of Chinese terri
tory to neutral powers. The president
would be loath to share this apprehen-
oAOA. OC4ACNAAS tHdt luc 1utTOUuCtlO0 OF
eXtraneOus interests would seriously
embarrass and postpone the settlement
of the issues involved in the present
contest in the far east, thus making
more remote the attainment of that
peace which is so earnestly to be de-
sired. For its part the United States
has repeatedly made its position we'll
known and has been gradied at the
cordial welcome accorded to it's efforts
to strengthen and perpetuate the broad
policy of maintaining the integrity of
China and the open door in the
orient, whereby equality of CONNER
cial opportunity and access shall be
enjoyed by all nations. Holding these
views, the United States disclaims any
thought of reserved territorial rights or
control in the Chinese empire, and it
is deemed fitting to make this purpose
frankly known and to remove all ap-
prehension on this score so far as con-
Germs the policy of this nation, which
maintains SO considerable a share of
the Pacific commerce of China and
which holds such important posses
sions in the western Pacific, almost at
the gateway of China"