The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-04-09
WILL LEAVE
WHEN READY
RUSSIAN STATEMENT CON-
CORNING MANCHURIA.
ITS ORIGINAL INTENTION
Special Treaty Was for Gradual
Evacuation and Restora- ALI
tion Of Order.
IT'S ORIGINAL INTENTION

ct. I0ieIsOuiS, n pI1l O-ll0 OllCldl
Messenger today publishes a detailed
review of the negotiations conducted
hy the allied powers with the Chinese
plenipotentiaries at Tien Tsin and
I'ekin, and of the negotiations. that
led to the present term of the French
draft Of peace conditions which con
sisted OF IL points, but which are not
yet concluded. The Russian govern
ment then makes the following state.
ment:
"While anticipating an early settle
ment OF the questions affecting the
mutual relations between all the pow
ars and China, the Russian govern
ment OIL its part considered it neces-
sary to concern itself with the estab-
lishment of a permanent order Of
things in tho Chinese territories along
the boundaries of which the Russian
Asiatic possessions extend for a dis
lance of 5000 versts Is, 800 miles,.
To this end provisional written condi-
tions for a modus vivendi were agreed
upon, first between the Russian mill
tary authorities and the Chinese gov
ernors of the Manchurian provinces.
"With reference to the institution
of a civil administration, subsequent
~, and after a careful consideration
of all the circumstances, the Russian
government drew up the draft of a
special agreement with China provid-
ing for the gradual evacuation of Man
churia, as we'll as for the adoption of
cnpoIa1 moQC1rpc fn ocSu1,a ,,oo0o II,
that territory and to prevent recur-
renee of events similar to those of last
year. Unfortunately, with the object
Of stirring up public opinion against
Russia. alaImist rumOrs were circu-
lated in the foreign press regarding
the purpose and intentions of the Rus
sian government. Falsified drafts of
a treaty establishing a pr~otectorate
over Manchuria were circulated and
erroneous reports were designedly
spread of an alleged agreement be-
tween Russia and China. AS a matter
of fact this agreement was to serve
as a basis for the restoration to China,
as contemplated by the Russian gov
e%rn1nent, Of the provinces of Man
churia which, in consequence of the
alarming events of last year, were oc-
cupied by Russian troops. In order
that the requisite military measure
might be taken, it was imperative
that the question should be settled one
way or the other. 1t was impossible
TO lay down forthwith. by means Of a
mutual agreement, the conditions of the
evacuation of Manchu1ia. According
to the news received serious him
ORANGES were placed in the way of the
conclusion of such an agreement and
in consequence it's acceptance by
China, which was indispensable for
the gradual evacuation of the prov
ince, proved to be impossible.
Gas regards the eventual restoration
of the province to China, il is mani
fest that such intention can only be
carried out when the normal situation
is completely restored and the central
government established at the capital
is independent and strong enough to
guarantee Russia against recurrence
of the events of last year.
"While the Russian government
maintains it's present organization in
M%anchuria, to.preserve order in the
vicinity of the broad frontier of Rus
STA, and remains faithful to it's origi-
nal and oft-repeated political pro-
gramme, it will quietly await the fur
Their course of events"