New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-08
NEUTRALITY LAWS
NOT TO Be EVADED
Movements of Foreign
Ships Here Engrossing
Governments Care.
MEDIATION OFFER
IS ACKNOWLEDGED
Chinese Seek Aid to Prevent
Their Country Being Made
Theatre of War.

Washington. Aug. Observation Of
neutrality by the United States IN inc
European war, especially as to the
movements Of foreign ships IN Ameri-
can waters. gave the Washington gov
eminent most concern to-day.
Special instructions we're issued by
the DEPARTMENT of Commerce which
may have an important effect on the
movement Of reservsts from the
United States. State, Treasury ana
Commerce Department officials were
tonight absorbed in deciding the nu-
merous technicalities which have arisen
in connection with foreign-owned
ships. such as the Olympic and the
Vaterland so that it may be estab-
lished definitely whether they are be-
ing Converted for war purposes"
Relief measures for Americans IN
Europe are working smoothly. me
State Department cabled 100000 TO
Paris and $4,000 to Rome, in addition
to the 100000 previously sent to Lon
don. These sums are for the immedi-
ate use of the American embassies
pending the arrival of the Tennesee's
consignment of gold
Assurances that tie Tennessee and
the North Carolina, as well as vessels
to bring Americans out of Europe,
would be admitted TO the ports Of the
countries at war, brought relief to Of
fcials. The two warships are bound, y
is understood, for Falmouth, England.
There a portion Of the gold on the
Tennessee will be placed on the North
Carolina. One Of the vessels then Will
go to northern Continental ports, while
the other steers into the Mediterra-
mean.
The French and Russian govern
ments acknowledged receipt Of the
tender Of good Offices" looking toward
mediation, but gave no hint as to their
attitude toward its acceptance.
The response from the Russian For
eign Office said that the proposal had
not yet reached Emperor Nicholas, be-
cause he was moving about the country
directing preparations.
No word has as yet been received as
to whether or not President Wilson's
message to Emperor William reached
him.
The situation in the Far East is
giving administration officials some
worry. They do not expect general
hostiities there, because the British,
Russian ana French ships predominant
and could rely on the Japanese for as
sistance. However, the problem of
preserving the integrity of China and
maintaining her neutrality is being
carefully considered.
Chinese Minister Shah and Young
Kwai, the counsellor of the legation,
conferred to-day with Secretary Bryan
on the subject. The Chinese govern
ment is making a supreme effort to
prevent China from being made a the
atre Of war.
Secretary Bryan has been consider
ing a suggestion that the United States
use it's influence not only to preserve
neutrality, but to prevent conflict be-
tween the foreign forces in China. He
has been in conference during the last
two DAYS with the British, Japanese and
Chinese diplomatic representatives, and
is believed 20 have touched upon the
subject.
The Secretary's attention has been
called to the fact that he has ample
precedent for adopting this suggestion
in the action taken by Secretary Ham
ilton Fish in 1870, during the Franco
Prussian War. Secretary Fish person.
ally cabled the American ministers in
Germany and France to sound the gov
ernments to which they were accredit-
ed with purpose of securing an agree
ment to have their forces then sta
toned in China restraIted from flying
at each others throats. Mr.. Fish's
move had been anticipated, however, by
the French and German commanders in
Chinese waters, for at the instance Of
the latter the French admiral had
agreed to a truce which lasted until
the end of the war
At present there are new phases in
the situation which may make the task
much more difficult. japan is now the
most potent factor, and is commonly
understood to cherish a strong desire
for the exclusion of the Germanic ele-
ment from the Far East.