New-York tribune., 1900-07-19
4 NEW TURN IN THE CRISIS.
CHINESE INVASION OF RUSSIAN TERRI
TORY AS VIEWED IN WASHINGTON.
GBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUNE.l

10y TELEGRAPH To THE TRTBUNE.l
Washington. July 1S-A disquieting and
aholly unexpected turn to tho course Oh the
crisis in China, which had been regarded as
somewhat improved by the success at Tien-Isln'
has been caused by the report that the fanaucal
Boxer movement. instead Of Spreading to the
southern provinces, which is now unlikely, or
conhning itself TO Manchuria and the defence OF
China from foreign aggression. has resulted in
the invasion Of the Siberian Province Of Amoor
burning its capital and cutting the great railway
line 70 Vladivostok.
The consequences of this act, II the report IS
authentic. in the estimation of officials who have
been foremost in keeping open the door OF emma
and bringing Europe to agree TO policy OF pre-
serving Chinese territorial integrity, may be so
far reaching as to defeat the purposes OF the
allies and add most discOuraging complications
10 the problem that was thought to be more
than half solved when the southern Nlceroys
were brought into line against the Tartar move
,nent and when the Powers determined not to
declare war.
Il is recognized that Russia possesses distinct
casus belli wholly different from that which
belonged 10 her only in common with the other
nations now holding Tien-Tsp whose Ministers
were murdered and whose missions and other
property were destroyed. An immediate dec
laration Of war may be averted, not at the re-
gestion could scarcely come with good grace
but through Russia's ability to administer
prompt punishment to the aggressors, and drive
them back across the Amoor River. The VIC
larion of Russia's frontier, the destruction OF
portion of the great Trans Siberian road and
the injury To the capital city Of Russia's east
ernrnost province will have tremendous I'M
portance. however. in their bearing on the set
tlenent that China hopes 10 effect with the rest
of the world sooner or later. Seemingly ac-
cording TO the present outlook, it will provide
Russia with q preteXt. if not an indsputaple
right 10 exact terms wholly apart from those
to be enforced by the concerted or co-operat-
Ing nations for the damages they have sustained
through the affrOnt TO their diplomatic repre-
sentatives the massacre Of their citizens, the
destruction Of their property ana commercial m
terests and the extraordinary expenses they
have been forced TO incur. At the energetic
initiative OF the United States the Powers have
already virtually agreed that territory shall not
be demanded in compensation for these injuries
This coropact could rot be extended TO cover
Russia's new grievance. which, it is thought
would warrant demand for extensive tracts
adjoining the Amoor on the south and east and
perhaps reaching TO the Great wall, II the Chl-
nese attacks are long sustained.
Considerable satisfa stion is manifested over
the report that fifteen thousand JaFanese were
landing al TAXI Although no ofhclal notlce OF
this highly important fact reached the Govern
Tnent today, it was recollectcd that Japan had
ordered this force more than ten days ago and II
already overdue at Tien-Tsin, where II had
been expected to arrive to support last Friday 5
attack on the Chinese city, the allies having at
last been compelled TO 90 ahead with the force
they had to put end to the bOmbardment OF
the foreign concession, which had become un-
bearable.
This homogeneous japanese force. joined by
six thousand seven thousand japanese effec-
tives now in Tien-Tsin is relied on to test at
once the possibilities Of clearing the way to
Peking supported by such II the allies as can
he spared from holding Tien-Tsin and the line
10 Taku. In any event. il viii render the base
established absolutely secure
relieve the Powers Of all apprehension on that