Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-05
RUSSIA'S NEW PLEDGE
Satisfactory Assurance Given Regard
ing Manohuria,
QUALIFICATION OF SlATBDEPARTMENF
The Gar Evinces His Devotion to
Principles of Peace.
INSTRUCTIONS TO CHAFFEE

The United States government has re-
CCived a communication from the govern
Irent of Russia of uausual Importance.
bearing conditions i'll China. and par
ticularIy those relating, TO Manchuria. The
document is of such character as to have
produced profoundly favorable impress
sion. and at the State Department it is
looked upon the most salutary develop
neut that has occurred for many months
in the problems of the east As to the
exact terms of the communication there is
10 official disclosure thus far, although
later it will doubtless he communicated to
the public.
Secretary Hay received it from Count
Cassini last night. and took speedy steps
to lay it before the President. The latter
as Well as the Secretary of State, shared in
the qualification that through the devo-
tiCn of the Emperor Of Russia to the prin-
ciries of peace a way has been found to
dispose of the cOmplica tions er the Man
ChErian question and to bring Russia into
strong accord with -hc other powers. At
the Russian embassy ne information was
obtaindble as to the communication, Count
Cassini asking to be excused from all in
qUj"ies
Threatened Crisis ivcrted.
While there is an entire absence of
authoritative information. Yet it is under
stood that Russia now takes occasion to
give positive assurance of the disinteres.ed
sentiments which have animated her
throughout the consideration of the Chinese
questions. As to Manchuria, it is made
clear that Russa's course has never varied
in the purpose to leave that province as an
integral part Of China and to retire the
Russian troops as rapidly safety would
permit. This. moreover, il is made plain in
tIC communication. has been Russia $
course throughout Notwithstanding @sser-
uoaS to the contrary. But as a more sig
nal evidence of RUssia's purpose. ANA in
harmony with the cars aspirations for
peace and harmony between the nations,
The Russian government now gives aSsur-
Hncss Of the most definite and satisf lctory
character as TO the execution Of lhis pur-
pose. The extent of the assurances can
best be Judged by the impression made in
III" highest official quarters here that the
threatened crisis over Manchuria has Iecn
completely averted.
Responsive to Mr.. Hays Note
To the officials in Washington one of the
most gratifying features of Russias ac-
tian is that it is responsive TO Secretary
Hays note Of March l last. That note had
previously been communicated to the Chi
nese minister at Washington, and advised
him that the United States viewed as in
expedient and dangerous to the interests of
CHINA the conclusion of any private terri
tOrial or financial agreement
y copy Of this communication was sent TO
the United States ambassador at St Pc
teTsburg, Mr. Charlemagne Tower and the
Russian ambassador at Washington was
also made aware OF its contents. While
the note was never addressed directly to
Russia, yet by the foregoing means it came
fully TO the attention of the Russian au-
thoTities- For a time it was felt here that
some ground for irritation might be caused
but any such idea has been dispelled by
the friendly tone of Russia's present COM
mUuicatiOu.
There is no disposition among officials
here to exult over the outcome, but rather
TO give recognition to the friendly spirit
which has animated Russia in dealing with
q serious crisis.
Reports From Minister Cenger
Mail adYices have been received at the &.
State Department indited by Minister Con-
ger before he left Pekin on his homeward
trip. These deal at some length with the
negotiations between the ministers of the
powers, but it is not deemed well to pub
lish the details at this time However, the
salient feature of the correspondence is
the disclosure of the difficulties that have
been encountered by the ministers in the
effort to tlnd common ground for the ar
rangement of a scheme for indemnifica-
tion, it appearing that there were as many
projects submitted as there We're ministers
IL attendance at the meeting.
There is still no word from Mr. Rock
hill, our special commissioner at Pekin
and the impression prevails that the nego-
iiGtfONS tiltEt are IN such condition that
II is not possible to make a definite report
OF progress.
GarrisOns in China.
After the subject had been well consider
ea at the White House, as well as at the
War Department. instructions We're cabled
to General Chaffee last night in reference
to the establishment of military garrisons
in China. The text of these is withheld
but ii is stated that they are drawn on the
lines of the instructions sent to Mr.. Con-
ger at the time he accepted the joint agree
ment under which the negotiations be-
tween the ministers at Pekin We're to be
conducted. 1t so happened that in that
case the reservations which Mr.. Conger
was To make are precisely the subjects
which are now before the military COM
manders at Pekin, namely, the destruction
OF the Chinese fortifications and the pro-
vision of armed international posts along
the route from Pekn to the sea. General
Chaffee will, as indicated in yesterdays
Star. favor the disarmament of the forts
instead Of their destruction but will not
participate in the establishment of armed
posts. He Will remain in the conference
however, exerting his best efforts to ameIi-
crate the conditions along the lines indi-
Gated.