The Saint Paul globe., 1900-10-30
SAYS GAR IS MODERATE
RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES
HIS CeINTRY'S FRIENDSHIP
FOR UNITED STATES.
CHAOS NOW RE1GNs IN CHINA
The First Desideratum, Says Count
Cassini, Is the Establishment
of a Strong Central Gov
ernment.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29.-The Russian
ambassador, Count Cassini, has returned
to Washington, after an absence OF some
months in Europe, during which time he
conferred with Count Lamsdorf, Russian
minister of foreign affairs, concerning
Chinese and other international questions.
He also talked with NJ. Delcasse, the
French minister of foreign affairs. When
seen at the embassy today Count CassiAi
said that has visit to st. Petersburg oc-
CURED more than two months ago, SO
that he was not in touch with the latest
phases of the China situation.
Count Cassini says he observed at st.
Petersburg tlhat the government was AMI
mated by a most reasonable, concillato1y
and moderate disposition concerning
China. There was a desire to avoid max
ing the crisis the occasion for large prof.
ects. In particular he noted, both at st.
Petersburg and throughout Europe, that
there was a very general feeling as 10
the identity of policy between the United
States and Russia, their position being
alike on many points. The death of Count
Muravieff, late minister of foreign affairs,
had removed an officials who had been a
steadfast admirer and friend of the
United States. And yet, Count Cassini
said, Count Lamsdorf, the new minister,
entertains the same sentiment of friend
ship and admiration for this country.
CHINA DISRUPTED.
Referring to Russa's action in the
Chinese trouble Count Cassini said that
it had been considered essential at the
outset that a ruling bead be given to
China. The empire was in a deplorable
condition, as a result of the uprising, and
the Manchu dynasty seemed weak and in
capable. With the departure of the en-
peror and the empress dOWager from Pc
kin, the empire practically was left drift
ing, and it was not to be expected that
the 400,00O,O0O people of China could carry
on such a vast institution without a
head. Russia therefore considered it es
Sential at the outset to bring back the
emperor and to re-esta blish a government
capable of settling affairs. To this end
it had been proposed that the troops be
withdrawn from Pekin, as there was little
doubt that such withdrawal would be fol-
lowed by the return of the imperial
household and a more speedy conclusion
of binding negotiations. The ambassa-
dor pointed out that any Chinese nego-
tiations will have to receive the ratifica-
ton of the emperor of China. During
the ambassadors service as Russian min
lister at Pekin he became we'll acquainted
with Ii Hung Chang and Prince Ching,
and he speaks in high terms of their abil-
ity and craftsmanship.
Count Cassinis attention was called to
the fact that the credentials of the Chi
nese plenipotentiaries gave them eXtraor-
dinary power and ratified in advance what
they may do But the ambassador smil-
ingly shook his head, saying that under
the Chinese system it would be essential
In the end to secure imperial concur
renee.
RUSSIAN AIMS IN MANCHURIA.
When asked as to Russia's purposes in
Manchuria, the ambassador said he was
not informed on the latest phases of this
branch of the subject and could not speak
definjt ely. But he remarked that Russia S
great railroad interests leading down to
Port Arthur would have to be protected
There was not the slightest doubt of this
1t was in protecting these interests, he
said, that Russia had been attacked by
the Chinese, and it was only natural and
necessity that Russia should resist these
attacks. The ambassador also observed
that it was quite natural that Russia
should feel a deep interest in Manchuria,
as it bordered on Russia, much as Canada
bordered on the United States, so that
anything affecting Manchuria came home
to Russia far more than it did to coun-
tries far removed from that part of the
world. He recalled that France, Russia
and the other powers interested in China
had made analogous decara tions against
the dtsmemberment of China
Count Cassini asked to be excused from
discussing the British-German alliance,
as he has not yet been advised of the pur-
poses Of the Russian government.
The ambassador returns to WASHINGTON
with the expectation of remaining at
this post for the present, and certainly
through the coming winter although in
the natural course Of events he NAV 20
to Paris or some other leading capital
after his service here. He expresses the
wish to remain in Washington, saying he
has found his associa tons with the
American government and the American
people most agreeable, and he adds that
1t is his opinion, as well as that of the
russian government, that the mission to
Washington is now one of the most I'M
portant in the entire foreign service.
MILWAUKEE TRACKS ARE O. X.