The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-25
CLIMAX IS NEAR.
Future of Manchurfa Is Hang
ing in the Balance.
China Must Decide On~ Russian
Treaty by Tomorrow.
1T MEANS ANNEXATION
If the Pending Proposition
Shall Be Accepted.
Nj. De Giers' Actions COmpIicate
Negotiations at Pekfn.
IT MEANS ANNEXATION

Pekin, March 24--The foreign minis
ters seem utterly unable to agree as to
-he best method of policing the Legation
quarters. The proposition most favored
by the majority and most complained Of
by he minority is one providing thar
men of the regular armies shall be de-
| tailed for the service under one officer
connected with the allies. United States
Special Commissioner Rockhin is ore
who objects to this plan, as Is also the
British minister, Sir Ernest Satow, who
says that though an international force
is dc sirable, it would be better that ehe
police detailed should be composed of
soldiers who are not liable to be called
away when they are most useful 1t is
also undesirable, he thinks that the corr
mandant should be an officer actively
connected with an army while the inter-
ton to make each legation practically an
armed camp is a great mistake and is
lab TO cause friction; and it would be
better far to make a general internation-
al district.
The home ministers are considering
asking the government to reconsider the
decision in favor of big legation guards
as being liable not only to keep the court
from returning to Pelxin but also as
continual source of danger in the deal
lngS with the Chinese as it would be inn
possible to keep the guards entirely with
in the legation quarter, which condition
Prince Ching and Ii Hung Chang insist
upon, saying that otherwise it would be
impossible to guarantee order especially
when the Chinese troops shall have re-
turned to Pekin. One drunken soldier
outside the foreign settlement they say
might cause another war.
The time which the Russians have Civ
en- the Chinese to sign the ManchuriaEf
agreement expires on Tuesday ard
should the agreement not be signed, then
Russia will break off the negotiations
The agreement practically annexes Man
churia.
Prince Ching and Ii Hung Chang con-
suited this morning but did not decide
either to sign the convention or appeal
to the powers.
on behalf Of China Ii Hung Chang
desires to express gratitude to America
for ner position in the matter
The attitude Of M. DeGiers, the Rus
sian minister at the meeting Of the for
eign representatives is enbarrassi and
causes considerable annoyance He re-
fuses either to agree with the other MN
isters or holds apart entirely
A committee will consider the ques-
tion of China's ability as regards in
demnity ard the most practical methods
for guaranteeing payment of indemnity
to the powers
1t is not thought likely, on account Of
Sir Robert Hart's increasing age and the
will continue long in charge of the i'm
perial customs on behalf Of the powers.
The body of Capt Riley and seven en-
listed men which We're buried at the
American legation We're removed to the
temple of agriculture this morning with
military honors, Gen. Chaffee and his en-
tire staff accompanying the remains. The
body of an American marine which was
buried at the Russian legation will lie
removed on Tuesday with the same hon.
will lc.ax .,-1f ri
transport Egbert for the United States
abolt the middle of April
The signal corps has completed all ar
rangements and is awaiting transporta-
ton to Manila
WAYS AND MEANS.
Berlin, March 25-A Pekin dispatch to
the Cologne Gazette dated Sunday,
March "a, says that at the first formal
meeting Of the committee on indemnity
held in Pelxin Sunday, it was decided to
invite Sir Robert Hart, director of the
Chinese imperial maritime customs,
Mgr Favier, vicar apostolic at Pekin
and other experts financial and other
wise, to submit proposals on the best
methods for raising the amount of ~
demnity to be demanded from China.
RUSSIA MODIFTES TERMS.
London, March Pa dispatch from
Pekin AYERS that the Russian govern
inert has consented to a number of mod
ificauions in the Manchurian convention.
the principal ones being: Kinshow ard
Port Arthur shall not be annexed but
shall be leased from the Chinese govern
ment as heretofore; Russia viii not in
Sist upon there being a Russian resident
at Moukden; the Chinese army viii be
permitted to maintain order in Manchu-
ria prior to the completion Of the Man
churian railway, which, while in course
of construction, viii not necessarily re- ]
quire the protection of Russian troops; /
Russia will forego her demand tlat /
mining and railway concessions in Mon /
golia, TurlSestan and Kashgaria shall be |
granted to none but Russian subjects.
Russia. stipulates, however. that none /
but Chinese and Russians shall be al /
lowed to undertake such enterprises
In consequence Of these concessions /
the Russian government asks for an ear
" signature OF the convention.
RUSSIA'S INTENTIONS
London. March 25.-Replying to Sir I
Ellis Ashmead- Bartlett, Conservative. /
who asked in the house OF commons to- |
day whether Russia had presented Chin3 +
with modified agreement regarding I
Manchuria and whether Russia had 1
withdrawn from the so-called concert o. /
Europe, the under secretary. Lord Gran /
borne said the government understood /
that the terms OF the proposed agree
ment were still under discussion but be /
was unable to make any positive STATE /
ment on that subject. The Russian gov
ernmenf, he added. had informed the l
sia has no intention of Withdrawing from Il
with the other powers in 4
China
JAPAN IS KEEPING QUIET
Yokohama, March 25.-Replying to q /
question in the house of peers today the /
for foreign affairs said Japan I
had not communicated with Russia IN