Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-04-30
ENGLAND AND RUSSIA ARRIVE AT
AN UNDERSTANDING.
EACH ONES SPHERE DEFINED
ENGLAND AGREES TO KEEP OUT OF
NORTH CHINA.
Russia Consents That No Part of the
Yang tse KianE Basin Shall BE
AllOtted-Why Russia Was
Anxious for n Set
tlcment.

LONDON, April 29.-The announcement
that England and Russia have sigaed a
seif-denying agreement regarding China,
which is intended to put an end to the con-
tention over railway and other concessions
in that country, is the most important news
Of the day in Europe. 1t is officially con-
firmed here this afternoon. and the pa
pers are running it with big headlines
The news comes on top of Mr.. George J.
Goschens speech on Wednesday, last, in
the course of which, after taking an opti-
mistic view of the political future. and
with reference to agreements arrived at
with France and Germany, he said: A
friendly understanding with Russia is also
on the eve of conclusion
The present agreement puts an end to the
Angio-Russian struggle in China, and Is
tantamount to settlement of the queS-
tion of the spheres of influence of the
two countries. Under the agreement, Great
Britain has undertaken not to press rail-
way or other concessions in North China,
while Russia agrees to the British demand
that no part of the basin of the Yang tse
Kiang; shall be allotted. Russia also recog-
terests are supreme in the Yang tse kiang
basin, which is understood to extend a COLI
siderable distance north and south of the
river, though no attempt has been made
to define the region. -' -
Everything recently has pointed to Rus
sias desire for a settlement, in order TO
allow the successful exploitation of the 81
berian railway, and also with view to
raising money in Great Britain for the de-
velopment of the industries of Russia
The activity of Russian bankers and
agents of the Russian ministry of finance
in London has borne testimony to the
financial end that Russia has in view
Strong proof of the anxiety of the Russian
government to tap English capital appear
ed in the publication in the London Times
of a secret memorandum recently submit-
ted to a committee of Russian ministers
by NJ Dewitte, the minister Of finance, who
frankly states therein that Russia cannot
dispense with foreign capital. Referring to
Russia's agricultural depression. M. De-
Witte pointed out that free trade England
is the only market in which Russia can
find relief England, he said, is the larg-
est buyer of the agricultural produce of the
world, yet up to the present time Russia
| has hardly any footing in the English mar
ket NJ. DeWitte adduced statistics of En-
glish imports of cattle, sheep wheat and
flour, showing that. in each case except
| that of sheep,th United States overwhelm-
| ingly headed the imports. while Russia was
at the bottom of the list. He. therefore,
| urged the fostering of Russian trade with
| England, and then enlarged upon the neces-
sity of attracting British capitalists by the
stability of the industrial regulations of
RussiA and otherwise inspiring confidence.
| To+day's announcement of the Chinese set
| tiement is one of the first fruits of NJ. De.
| Whites policy, and it will undoubtedly have
an important bearing upon the future res
| lations of the two countries.