Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1898-09-20
RUSSIA And AMERICA
ambassador Cassini's Impor-
tant Statements.
NOT OPPOSED TO UNITED STATES.
DiJ the Powers Ever Intend TO In
terfere 1.-THE Russian Minister
InSinuntcs They Did Not--Rus-
sin's Interests In the East.

InSinuntcs They Did Not--Rus-
sia's Interests In the East.
HARTFORD, Sept 2).--Count Cassini,
the Russian ambassador. now at Mar
rangansett Pier, has given out the fol-
lowing statement to a representative Of
the press:
There has been absolutely no change
In Russian sentiment or policy toward
the United States, nor does there exist
e reason for such q change within my
knowledge. Russian policy does not
conflict with interests OF the United
States in any part OF the world no
more In China than in England. Russia
seeks only peaceful and friendly rela-
lions with all other nations"
The correspondent reminded the en-
bassador that the American people
were now asked by English writer's to
believe that some Of the continental
powers had sought TO arrange a project
Tor international Intervention on behalf
of Spain in the recent war and that
this plan of action had been defeated
by the refusal Of Great Britain TO be
a party TO IL or even TO consent to see
other powers engage in It, thereby plac-
Ing this country under new and spe-
cial obligation to the British people.
Il never heard that there was such a
proposition by any of the powers" said
Count Cassini. ION the contrary, all
the powers carefully maintained their
neutrality throughout the war between
the United States and Spain"
Coming TO the question OF Russian
development In the orient, Count Cas-
SIM said:
In building the Siberian railroad Il
was found that the route necessary to
be followed in reaching VladivostolS
was a very difficult one, made so espe-
eially by the existence OF areas of al
most impossible marshes. The engi-
neerlng problems presented by that
route were practically insurmountabe.
We also found that It was absolutely
necessary TO cross Chinese Manohuria
In order 10 obtain an ice free port,
which was essential to enable the rail-
road TO be a commercially successful
enterprise. our Pacific port of Vladi-
vostok on the Siberian coast IS closed
by Ice during the winter months. We
are not building a railroad simply for
the purpose OF laying down steel rails
or for the fun of the thing. It must
have traffic when II is built I'm order to
Justify the investment, and so we
sought a terminus to the southwark,
where the ships of all nations could
come at all seasons OF the year. We
obtained from the Chinese government
a lease OF territory for a term of years,
like the lease Of Kiao Chou by the
Germans and Wei-Hai-Wei by the
British
TN making the arrangement we were
ward any other power. The only sure
and certain revenue which the Chinese
government possesses Is It's maritime
customs, and a portion Of these were
pledged for the payment OF our loan to
china. The administration Of the mari
time customs Is in the hands Of an Eng
lshman, Sir Robert Hart. but we did
not undertake TO remove or disturb Sir
Robert Hart. We are represented as
hostile TO the interests OF other nations
In China, but we have not objected to
pr sought to prevent other nations from
Increasing their commercial privileges
IN that country. When the English ac-
nuired an extension Of territory near
Hongkong, we said nothing against IT,
and the Germans have had free hand
In the Shang-Tung peninsula, where
they have obtained very valuable priv
ileges. Furthermore. II should be re-
membered that Russia and China have
a common boundary of some 5000 kllo-
meters (nearly 5000 miles) in extent. so
that we have a close national relation
TO China exceeding that of any other
power"
In regard TO the future OF China he
baid:
There Will be no partition OF China.
There were 429. 00O. 900 OF people in that
country when the last effort was made
10 obtain a count OF them. 1t is a huge
population In a vast country. but 1 do
not expect TO see Il divided. In extend
Ing the Great Siberian railway to the
yellow sea the purpose OF Russia was
not TO acquire or annex Chinese terri
lory, but to secure a commercial outlet
from Siberia and to provide necessary
commercial facilities for our vast north
Eastern territory as well as for the parts
81 China through which the railway win
pass"
Upon the subject of the Philippines
the ambassador had no opinion TO ex-
press. his attitude being chat merely
Of an observer of what is happening IN
that part Of the world. The Russian gov
eminent does not concern itself with
those parts OF China or with outlying
Stands made from its borders. AS TO the
question of the acquisition of the Phil
Ippines by this country, Count Casslnl
went no further than to remark, TT Is
very grave problem" meaning that II
Is very grave problem for the people
Of the United States.
? THE AWAKENING OF CHINA.