The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-04-11
WHAT WILL LCzAR DO?
China Defiant1y Refuses to Sign
That Agreement.
RUSSIANS FORMALLY NOTIFIED
Celestials Will Not Offend Other
Powers and Assumes Risk.
Japan Promises Aid?

A special of Wednesday from Pekin
says: The Chinese government has
formally notified Russia that China,
owing to the attitude of the powers, is
not able to sign the Manchurian con-
vention.
cit is China's desire." says the for
NAL notification, ito keep on friendly
terms with all nations. At present she
is going through period which is the
most perilous in the empires history,
and it is necessary that she should
have the friendship Of all.
"however much she might be will
ling to grant any special privilege to
one power, when others object it is
impossible that, for the sake of max
ing one nation friendly, she should
ALLEVIATE the sympathy of all others"
Ii Hung Chang says this letter set
ties the matter definitely and that
Russia was informally notified to the
same effect March 29th.
Prince Ching asserts that every
Chinaman except Ii Hung Chang was
against signing the convention.
INTEREST AT WASHINGTON.
Great interest was manifested in
official and diplomatic circles Wednes'
day night over the Associated Press
report from Pekin that the Chinese
finally had determined not to sign the
Manchurian agreement. No official
information had reached this govern
ment or the principal foreign en-
bassies.
To the Russian ambassador, Count
Cassini, the news came as great sur
prise, as he had hoped for a success
full conclusion of the convention. Rus
sia, he said, had informed the Chinese
government that she did not mean to
take Manchuria, and that her desire
was to make such arrangements as
would avoid the repetition in the
future of the boxer troubles of last sum-
mer. The ambassador declined, in the
absence of official advices, to indicate
what probably would be the future
course of his government.
Russia, in measure, at least con-
trolls the situation in Manchuria, as
she has possession Of the country and
the great mass of her soldiers now in
Asia are within that territory. China
having refused the terms specified by
Russia, the Russians assert she may
take her own good time and retire
from the country whenever she is in.
cliued to do 80.
Sould Russia continue in Manchuria,
however, beyond a reasonable time,
there is no obligation upon any power
to respect her title, and it may be
predicted that this subject will lead to
a controversy of the gravest character.
The United States was firm in its
opinion that it was inexpedient for the
Chinese government to enter into q
treaty with any Of the powers interest
ed in the present status of the Chinese
situation pending the general settle
ment of the matters at issue, and this
position. backed by the views OF other
governments, 1t is felt here, has been
an important factor with the imperial
government in determining it's attitude
upon the Russian government.
JAPAN TO BACK CHINA?
A dispatch to The New York Herald
from Pekin says:
"Japan has given China written as
surances that she will share the con-
sequences of China's refusal to sign
the Russian treaty if these consequent
ces include war. The peace negotia-
tions are at q standstill."