The news & observer., 1901-03-14
WHAT CASSINI BELIEVES
Russia Might Have Seized Manchuria
After the Invasion.
SEEKS ONLY TO PROTECT HER INTERESTS
Whatever Treaty She Desires With China is for
This Purpose Alone, When Such
Protection is Assured Her Troops
VIII be Withdrawn.
(By the Associated Press. J

Washington. March 13.-The Russian
Ambassador, Count Cassini was seen to-
day concerning the reiterated reports as
to Russia's designs on Manchuria. Count
Cassini said he was not authorized to
make any official declaration on the part
of his Government, but in view of the
constant reports he consented to state his
individual views. based upon his long
service in China and his familiarity with
the general policy Russia has consistently
maintained toward China.
The Ambassador first called attention
to the Chinese invasion of Russian ter
ritory last summer. There is great
stretch of border between the two en-
pires about 5000 kilometres in length,
and over the Manchurian border the Chi
nese forces, he said. poured committing
depredations and threatening Russian
interests This invasion was OF such
character the Ambassador said, that Rus
sia would have been justified by every
principle of international law then and
there in declaring war against emma
and taking Manchuria. Count Cassini
added that if Russia had been disposed to
exercise this undoubted right, she had
the military forces on the ground ready
to execute it. But Russia did not at that
time take Manchuria, and in that very
fact. the Ambassador said, was the best
answer to the present reports of Rus
sia's purposes to absorb Manchuria.
Why are Russian troops in Manchuria?
was frequently asked. In reply the Am
bassador asked: Why are German troops,
British troops, American troops, and other
troops in Pekin? There seemed to be no
surprise about this latter condition, and
yet it was exactly parallel to the pres
ence of Russian troops in Manchuria. In
each case deDredations were being COM
mitted. foreign interests were in jeopardy,
and each nation sent its troops to give
due protection to the lives and properties
of its people and to prevent the recur-
renee of disorder.
In Manchuria the Russian civil engin-
GERS at one time had been driven away
from work along the trans-Siberian
Railway, with its spurs southwark to
Port Arthur and eastward to VladiYo-
stock 1t was necessary to give adequate
protection to these engineers and to the
railway as we'll. Count Cassini said
that there was not the slightest question
as to the right of Russia to construct the
line across Chinese territory, and with
this authority came the necessity of pro-
tecting the line and the interests con-
nected with it against depreciation.
Inquiry was made of Count Cassini as
to the specific reportu that an agreement
containing number Of articles was
about to be concluded between Russia
and China. The Ambassador suggested
that such reports must be taken with
great deal Of allowance. He was not ad-
vised on such an agreement, and in the
absence of such advice. he said. did not
feel at liberty to discuss the subject but
on general principles he pointed out tnat
any agreement or understanding Whlch
Russia might make with China, would IN
yolve two essential features, namely, nfst,
adenuate protection for Russian interests
in Manchuria in order that there might
not be anv repetition of disorder and
danger to life and property; and second,
the maintenance of China's territorial IN
tegrity.
AS far back as August 25th Count Cas-
sini points cut, the Russian Minister OF
Foreign Affairs in a formal note had
announced clearly and distinctly the
policy of Russia in regard to Manchuria.
In accordance with that declaration 1t
could not be doubted that when order had
been established in Manchuria and mea-
sures taken for the protection of railway
construction, Russia would recall her
troons from Manchuria, provided the ac-
tion of other powers did not place an OBJ
stacle in the way of such measure