The Oskaloosa herald., 1901-03-14
VERY GRAVE CRISIS.
Another Dark Cloud Arises in the
Far East.

London, March GA crisis has
arisen in far eastern affairs which
in the opinion of the British govern
ment is graver almost than the trou-
bles which originally turned the eyes
of the world toward the orient. In
this crisis secret negotiations are
going on between the United States
and Great Britain with a view to
thwarting what both governments
consider a determined attempt on
the part of Russia to plant herself
permanently in one of the richest
tracts. of the Chinese empire.
Urges Joint Action.
The conference held Wednesday be-
tween United States Ambassador
Choate and Lord Lansdowne, the for
eign secretary, had nothing to do
with the Nicaraguan canal affair. To
quote from a British official, "the
Nicaragua controversy is a minor
matter compared with the present
situation" What Mr.. Choate did a
to receive from Lord Lansdowne an
important message declaring that
Great Britain was not satisfied with
Russia's declaration regarding Man
churia, as delivered to Sir Charles
Stewart Scott, British ambassador at
st. Petersburg, by Count Lamsdorf,
and asking the United States if it
was prepared to take joint action of
such a decisive nature that Russia
would have no alternative but to re-
cede from her position. Almost 81
simultaneously the United States gov
eminent instructed the various am
bassadors to take similar steps.
The answer of Secretary Hay has
apparently not yet been received in.
London, although the fact that al
most concurrent instructions were
issued from Washington is taken
here to be a sufficient guarantee that
Russia's action in Manchuria will not
be tolerated by the United States.
Japan is relied upon to take a line
in harmony with the United States
and Great Britain. Germany, in spite
of the Anglo-German compact, is re-
garded as rather doubtful. owing to
Emperor Williams friendship for the
car. fdiCt, VI COulSC. VIII SidC
with her ally,
To Bring Powers Into Line.
The significance of the present
phase can only be appreciated by
those cognizant of the lethargic at
titude of the British government
hitherto regarding Russian action in
China. Within the last few days all
this has changed. What a week or
two ago was pronounced only in line
with Russia's usual policy is now
termed "a grave and serious state
of affairs" Lord Lansdowne is using
every effort to bring the powers into
line, in order to present to Russia
such a menaciHg front that, without
any ambiguity regarding temporary
or other occupation, she may give up
all designs upon Manchuria.
What prompts the British foreign
office to take such an alarmist view
of circumstances usually looked upon
as fataIistic sequences is the appre-
hension that Russia, having held her
own in spite of the protest of the
ministers of the powers to the Chi
nese government, and having put her
self on record in the reply to Sir
Charles Scott as determined on at
least a temporary occupation of Man
churia. will refuse to back down.
That she must do so Lord L~ausdowne
considers vital. both for the future of
China and for the continued existence
of the concert of powers.
japanese Active.
London. March 9.-'"There is much
activity in Japanese naval. military
and political circles regarding Rus
sia's action in Manchuria." says a dis
patch to the Daily Mail from Kobe,
dated March 8. ''It is reported that
600 Russian marines, with ten guns,
have landed at Masanpo. Corea."
Opposed H. the Emperor.
London, March 9.-"Emperor Kwang
Su opposes the Russo-Chinese agree
ment as to Manchuria." says the Pc
king correspondent OF the Daily Ex-
press, land has instructed Ii Hung
Chang to refer Russia to the other
powers"
Lin Kun vi, the viceroy of Marking,
has appealed to Great Britain, Japan
and the United States. according to
- C1..zzl a..