Evening star., 1901-03-28
DENIED BY RUSSIA
Did Not Influence the Dismissal of
McLevy Brown.
CONFERENCE WITH COUNT CASSINI
Manchurian Agreement Merely
Modus Viyendi.
RESTORING LAW AND ORDER

The Russian authorities have given def
mite and positive assurances to the State
Department that the dismissal OF McLevy
Brown. the high Official of the Corean gov
ernment. was not due I'm any way to Rus
sian influence. Minister Payloff. the
Russian representative at Seoul, had no
hand In the transaction, which was con-
summated entirely through the imperial
authorities OF Corea.
The Russian ambassador here, Count
Cassinnt. had an extended conference with
Secretary Hay this afternoon, lasting al
most an hour. 1t was of more than usual
interest in view of the pending uncertain
ty as to the Manchurian agreement. The
ambassador was entirely without informa-
tion as to what had been done on the
agreement.
The Removal of Brown.
Although the general question Of China
was gone over. yet the chief purpose of the
visit was to clear up the reports that Rus
STA had been instrumental In the removal
Of McLevy Brown. The latter Is an Eng
lishman and for years has been high in
authority In Corea. occupying a place some
what like that of Sir Robert Hart in China,
including the complete control of customs.
When his position was threatened several
years ago 1t was then said that Russian in
fuence was at work, and again recently
when Brown was dismissed reports came
through British sources that Browns dis
miSsal was due to RuSsfaS purpose not to
nave any high officials other than Russians
in the service of Corea. Inc United States
took cognizance of Browns dismissal but
1t Is not known whether this went to the
extent of disapproving the influences which
were alleged to have brought 1t about.
At all events, Count Cassini's visit to-
day resulted IN the fullest assurance that
tha. fraf
had been concerned. and that it was pure
iy matter of the domestic affairs of
Corea, which the Corean officials had car
ried out according to their own desires.
A Msdus Viyendf.
During the course OF the interview be-
tween Secretary Hay and Count Cassini
there was a further reference to Russia's 3
purpose In Manchuria. This was on pre-
cisely the same lines as the ambassador
had before laid down. but with more par
ticularity.
For instance. 1t was made to appear that
this particular agreement between Russia
and China Is really nothing more than a
mOdus Yiyendt- 1t is purely temporary in
character. according to the Russian con-
tention. as will appear when the document
is published. The purpose is, according to
that contention. to restore law and order
under Chinese authority in Manchuria and
provide for the gradual withdrawal of the
Russian troops.
Agreement Not Signed.
Secretary Hays callers today also In
cluded Lord Pauncefote, the German am
bassador and the Japanese minister, all OF
whom are concerned in the status of Chi
nese affairs. and particularly the final out
come of the Manchurian question. Little
definite additional information was deyl-
oped. the Japanese advices being most am,
pie. however. along the lines already made
known. that the agreement had not, up to
this time been signed. t.-.-