The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-02-15
NATIONS MUST KEEP
HANDS OFF China

WASHINGTON, d. c., Special.-In
a note TO the German Ambassador,
made public last night, Secretary OF
State Knox has again put the United
states l.. the pOsiuOn of protector o.
The integrity of the Chinese empire
and places this government on recort
IN favor of a policy of hands of
during the present political upheava
IN China. The publication Of the mote
is also regarded as in effect a decia-
ration to the world that the Uniteo
states and Germany will be founo
acting together against any grabs
N China by any other power.
Told Our Attitude.
The publication of the note follows
IN exchange between the governments
Of Germany and the United States H.
regard to the situation. The note was
handed to Ambassador Bernstorff in
response to an inquiry from his gov
eminent as to the attitude and gene
yal impressions Of the government OIL
the United States in regard TO condi-
lions in China"
Copies of the note have been placed
in the hands Of the governments OF
the other powers chiefly interested
in China-namely, Great Britain,
France, Italy, Russia and Japan. 1t
is expected the text of the note ana
the circumstances in which it's publ
cation was agreed upon by the GOV
ernments of. Germany and the Unite
States Will have a strong moral effect
in regard to future developments in
China.
Full faith in the adhesion of all
the powers to the policy of non-in-
tervention and absolute neutrality In
the Chinese situation is expressed by
Secretary Knox in the note. The
Secretary further declares that the
United States is firmly convinced that
in the event Of further steps by the
an cff oil
will agree to the policy of concerted
action.
Secretary Knox also declares it to
be the policy OF the United States to
discourage its nationals from making
any loan to either side in the Chinese
situation. regarding a loan to either
a violation of the policy of absolute
neutrality.
This step upon the part of Secre-
tary Knox is regarded as a move in
continuation of the Hay policy in re-
gard to China. Germany has from
the first been most heartily la accord
with the United States in maintain
ing the integrity of China and the
absolute neutrality of the powers dur
ing the present revolution.
Secretary knox's Note.
Here is Secretary Knox's note:
Your EXcellency:
In reply to your note of the 31st
ultimo. requesting information as to
the attitude of the government of the
United States with regard to condi-
tions in China, ! have the honor to
state that since the beginning of the
present disturbances this government
has from time TO time. as occasion
arose, exchanged views with the
other Interested poWers-particular
France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan
and Russia, as we'll as the imperial
German goVernment-as to what
q
ton of the common interests.
From these exchanges it has been
quite clear that all the powers con-
cerned were as one as to the wisdom
action in the circumstances.
This unanimity of view found con-
crete expression in the ldentical note note
France, Great Britain. Germany, Japan,
Russia and the United States stimuli
taneously TO the peace commissioners
at Shanghai on December goth, as well
as in the cooperative measures taken
for the protection OF their common IN
terests throughout China.
.''rhe advices received by this govern
ment moreover, show that the other
governments concerned nave likewise
had similar exchanges OF views and
that offcial statements of policy to the
same effect have appeared In the public
press of various countries.
Act In Full Accord.
eft is. therefore, evident to this gov
eminent that all the powers nave up
TO the present by common consent, not
only refrained from Independent action
and from intervening in Chinas In,
ternal affairs. but have acted In fun
accord with their mutual assurances
that they would respect its integrity
and sovereignty. There happily has
thus far been no reason for interior
ence on the part of the foreign pow
ers, inaEmuch as both Imperialists and
Republicans have guaranteed the life
and property Of the foreign population
and the latest reports tend to strength
en- thu belief that IT is improbable that
futile Developments will necessitate
such interference. II, however, con-
trary to ali expectations further steps
should prove necessary, this govern
policy of concerted action after 1ull
consultation by the powers should ano
clude from the beginning all possible
Misunderstanding.
Moreover, this government has felt
1T to be a corollary of the policy .
strict neutrality hitherto pursued
common accord with respect to loan
to China, to look with disfavor upor
loans by it's nationals unless assured
that such loans would be OF neutra
effect as between the contending fac
tons as II has also felt that the pres
ent was the occasion where there Nigh
be Invoked with peculiar appropriate
ness the principle Of lending govern
nents lettering their nation is from
making loans not approved as to tbel
lr0a& policy by their own government
n cEnsultatjon with the other inter
IsteH powers.
Ncept excellencg, the renewed as
ura r. OF my highest cens.fesa slSn.
Sic Excellenc5. Count :. 81 Won
BE stcriI. Inptr;al G8lnan Ar
tHtE n. E. | 81