The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-30

.RUSS|A'S PLANS IN CHINA.
COUNT cAssISI OUTLINES THE POL
ICY OF HIS GOVERNMENT.
Declares That Russia IL Friendly
Toward the United states and
Courts Ce-operatien 81 America

WASHINGTON. Oct. se-The Russian
ambassador. Count Cassinf, has returned
TO Washington after an absence OF some
months In Europe. during which time he
conferred with Count Lamsdornf. Russian
minister OF foreign affairs. concerning
Chinese and other International questions.
He also talked with ~ Delcasse. the
French minister OF foreign AFFAIRS. When
seen at the embassy today Count Cassini
said that his visit to st. Petersburg &C.
CURED more than two months ago, so
that he was not in touch with the latest
phases OF the Chinese situation.
Count Cassini says he observed st 81.
Petersburg that the government was ami
mated by q most reasonable. eonciliatory
and moderate disposition concerning Chi
ma There was desire to avoid making
the crisis the occasion for large projects.
In particular he noted both at ST. Peters
burg and throughout Europe that there
Was general feeling ~ to the identity
OF policy between the United States and
Russia. their position being alike on many
points. The death of Count Muravien.
late minister OF foreign affairs. had re-
moved an official who had been q stead
fast admirer and friend Of the United
States And yet, Count Cassini said.
Count Lamsdorf. the new minister. en-
tertains the same sentiment OF friend
ship and admiration for this country.
Russsa's Action Explained.
Referring to Russfa's action In the Chi
nese trouble. Count Cassini said that II
had been considered essential at the out
set that a ruling head be given to China.
The empire was In deplorable condition
as result OF the uprising and the Man
chn dynasty seemed weak and Incapable.
With the departure OF the emperor and
the empress dowager from Picking the
empire practically was left drifting, and
II was not to be expected that the 400
10000 people OF China could carry on
~
Russia, therefore. considered II essential
at the outset to bring back the emperor
and , TO establish e government capable OF
proposed that the troops be withdrawn
from Peking, as there was little doubt
that such withdrawal would be followed
by the return OF the imperial household
and a more speedy conclusion OF binding
negotiations. The ambassador pointed out
that any Chinese negotiations would have
to receive the ratification of the emperor
of China. During the ambassadors SER
vice as Russian minister at Peking he
became well acquainted with Ii Hung
Chang and Prince Ching. and he speaks
in high terms OF their ability and states
manship.
Count cassini's attention was called to
the fact that credentials OF the Chinese
plenpotentiaries gave them extraordinary
power. and ratified In advance what they
may do. But the ambassador smilingiy
shook his head, saying that under the Chi
nese system IL would be essential to Sc
cure imperial concurrence.
Rusaia In ManehuPia.
When asked az 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
definitely. But he remarked that Rus
sia's great railroad interests leading 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 II was only natural ana
necessary that Russia would resist these
attacks. The ambassador also observed
that II was quite natural that Russia
should feel n deep interest in Manchuria.
as II bordered on Russia much as Canada
bordered on the United States. so that
anything affecting Manchuria came home
to Russia far more than II did TO countries
far removed from that part OF the world.
He recalled that France. Russia and the
other powers Interested In China had
made analogous declarations against the
dismemherment OF China.