Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-25
Menace to American Interests ip
That Country.
STBSERVIENT TO ST. PETERSBURG
Reason for Japan's Vigorous Op-
position.
MANCHURIAN AGREEMENT

The State Department has received from
| Mr. Allen, our minister at Seoul, Corea.
cabled advices confirming the report Of the
removal Of McLeavy Brown. the director
general Of Corean customs As this action
of the emperor undertaken at the beseet
| Of Russia, goes far to wipe out the integ-
rity of Corea, according to the estimate of
the officials here, 1t will not be allowed to
pass without a remonstrance on our part.
| The officials are convinced that Russian
| domination of Corea would mean the ex-
| tinguishment of American interests in that
| quarter, and these in recent years have
become important.
Legation Guards i'm Pekfn.
Mr.. Rockhiil has been heard from FUR
ther respecting the conditions at Pekin,
and it is said that his report is confirma-
tory of the latest press advices. Touching
the question of size OF the legation guards.
which appears to be giving concern 1t 10
pointed out that the United States was
the first of the powers to reduce her mil
itary force in China to the condition of a
simple legation guard, and that now our
guard is exactly of the proper proportions,
namely, two companies. The European
powers in some instances have in contem-
plation several times this number for their
own guards, and it is that fact that leads
to the conviction that the Chinese court
reduce their contingents to the proportions
of our legation guard.
Germany Indemnity Claim.
The advices from Pekin and other quar-
ters are also beginning to clear up some
Misrepresentation of the indemnities claim
ed by the different powers. A recent pub
lished report was that Germany's claim
amounted to $50 100000 This proves to be
erroneous. The actual amount of the Ger
man indemnity, 1T can be stated positively,
is $50 0O0, 600. The basis for this is the
large military establishment which Ger
many sent to China, and since maintained
to the present time, amounting to l7,6O
men. The distance this force was trans
ported was very great, and is another
element In making up the sum of the in
demnity.
Japan's Interest fn COrea.
The information reaching diplomatic quar-
ters here is to the effect that the objec-
tions to the China-Russia agreement on
Manchuria have not been Of such de-
cisive character as to prevent the signing
of the document, and IT is expected that
1t will be executed today or tomorrow.
unless Russia voluntarily withdraws the
agreement. Moreover. in case the docu-
ment is signed, there is no idea that serious
results will folloY in the way of an open
breach between the powers. Japan has
gone furthest in protesting, but even her
objections do not go to the point of indi-
eating that force will be used il the agree.
ment is signed.
The State Department has been made
aware of the fact that the japanese gov
ernment has made a rather energetic pro-
test against the conclusion of the agree
ment. This, however. has not been con-
veyed to the department by means of any
formal note or communication, but has
been verbal in character, and has been
in line with the well-understood attitude OF
las Ine sfapf "A
for some time.
The warlike tone Of reports from Japan
are not taken to refer so much to Man.
churia as to Corea, and Japan's present
purpose is understood to be to prevent
the Manchurian agreement from becom-
ing Russian stepping-stone to Corea- The
reported dispatch of a Japanese squad.
ron to Chemulpo is a move in this direc-
ton.
Chemulpo is the Corean port, about
twenty miles from Seoul. 1t is about two
days sail from Nagasaki, whence the
squadron sailed, and about the same dis
tance from Port Arthur, where Russian
warships are rendezvoused. The report
that the japanese minister of war, Kat
sura, has called a council Of war appears
to be an exaggeration, Katsura having
given place to Baron Kodoma, who is now
minister of war.
The Manchuria Agreement.
So many changes have been reported az
to the Manchuria agreement, there In
much uncertainty even In the best-posted
official and diplomatic quarters as to what
the agreement will bring about. None Of
the embassies or legations has an on-
cial copy, but some of them have an un-
official summary, which is accepted az
authentic on the main points.
This contains twelve articles. The first
gives Russia's assent to China's conduct
ing the entire civil administration of MAN.
churia. The next two articles provide that
Russian soldiers shall police the railway
and assist the Chinese in quelling disturb.
ances. No artillery is to be employed by
the Chinese and Russia is to determine
the arms to be carried by the Chinese.
China is to station no troops In localities
where railways are under construction.
The Chinese soldiers and sailors in north
China are to be drilled only by Russians.
The provision as to Mongolia and Turkes.
tan, which the latest cable reports indi.
Gates has been changed, is as follows:
Eight. In Manchuria, Mongolia and
Chinese Turkestan no railway, mining or
other concessions shall be granted to the
nation of any other power, nor can China
herself construct any railway in these 10.
calities"
other articles related to indemnity Of
damage In Manchuria, and article II prov
vides for Russian railway connecting
Mapchurfa with Pekfn