The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-27
American SecretaryShOwS
 to Advantage.
Russia Placed in Bad Light by Its Pooh-Boohiag of China's stafe- meat that It Has Preserved
 It's Neutrality in War
 New Raging.

Washington, Jan. e6.--The most in- teresting feature of tho correspondence between the State Department, the Rus sian embassy and the Chinese legation relative to Russian allegations tha. Chinese neutrality has been violated. is a proposition from Secretary Hay
 that the Russian complaint should be considered hy a conference of the pow CTS, a suggestion which thus far has called forth no response. .4..a. .s Secretary Hays answer to the Rus sian complaint after an assurance tc Count Cassini that he had instructed Four Minister to China to express to the Foreign Offace of Pekin the earnest hope of the President that China would scrupulously observe her neutral obll- gations, "any departure from which would seriously embarrass not only China, but also the powers interested in limiting the area of hostilities," pro- ceeds:
 'I willingly took advantage of this occasion as 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 feel that I ought. with the same frankness. to call your excellency's at tention to the fact that the Chinese Government declares with great earn estness that they have constantly ob- served 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 Govern
 ment of Japan insist that they have kept and intend to keep invipIate the pledges they made at the beginning of | the war to respect the neutrality of China within the limits then agreed upon" Makes Light of Denial.
 | Tn his answer to Secretary Hay, Count Cassini makes light of the Chi
 nese denial of the Russian charges. which he says was, of course. only to
 be expected, and he refuses to have the
 responsibility placed on Russia for maintenance of a one-sided neutrality. 1 He says:
 "This denial of China is being met by | the Imperial Government with 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 consclen- | tious appreciation of the true condi- | ton of things-cannot fail to know and | to report to their respective Govern ments.
 "The present aspect of the situation | is as follows: On the one hand, a ee- ries of acts, unquestionably contrary to the neutrality of China, and cited by Japan; on the other, deniais unsup- | ported by any evidence. beg to take up. among the facts cited In the Rus sian memorandum, the Rytshitelni in- cident at Chefoo. This Incident show ed to the world what heed Japan had paid to neutrality of China and the in- ability or unwillinsness of the latter. Iintimidated by Japan. to enforce s'the neutrality of which she had assumed
 the obligations.
 'The United States and Europe saw | it to close their eyes upon that fragrant
 breach of neutrality of China as well as upon the deplorable attitude the lat ter assumed on that occasion. Finding Encouragement in that attempt. both China and Japan persevered in that ob- Ijectionable course which placed upon Russia, scrupulously true to the prom ises made. the necessity of noticing at every moment the encroachments of China. encouraged by Japan. upon the duties of the neutrality which had been imposed upon her in her own interest and in that of the whole world"
 Russia Seriously Engaged.
 "Russia surely is as much interested
 as the other powers. and. perhaps. even more. in the maintenance of the
 neutrality of China as long as this neutrality Is strictly and Loyalty ob- | served. Engaged as Russia is in Q
 serious war. it Is obviously not to her
 advantage to complicate the situation
 by creating additional difficu1ties. but | it is impossible for her to admit for
 an instant that while she Is herself observing her duties of neutrality. | China. influenced and intimidated by | Japan, may commit acts contrary to
 her neutral obligations and detrimen-
 tai to the interest of Russia"
 | Secretary Hay. in his next communi-
 cation January 23 1905. advances the
 position that an international confer ence he called to consider the subject of Chinese neutrality. This note says: 'Excellency: I have given consider