Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-03-15
TOLD 70 SAVE Chinese
Secretary Hay Gives Rockhi|'
Orders.
RUSSIAN MINISTER TALKS.
Ho Makes Clear tho Position OF Russia
in Regard to Her Interests la Man
churIa-Why the Russian Troops Stay
In That Land.

WuSuluSLOIl, ~ S.y N1iSiA Ao' . ~
ther indiscriminate execution OF Chi
nese will not be countenanced by the
United States. Moderation not only
in demands but in the infliction OF
punishment by the Chinese authorities
is now sought by President Mckinley
and Secretary of State Hay. Special
Commissioner Rockhill having cabled
the state department for specific in
structions In the matter of tho punish
ment of provincial officials, whose
heads are sought by the German and
other diplomatic representatives. Sec
rotary Hay wired him this afternoon
that the president desired him to use
his influence in behalf of moderate
punishments. Mr. Rockhill will not
demand any further executions. but
will leave to the Chinese authorities
the infliction of such penalties as they
may see fit to impose upon officials
and persons charged with completely
in the anti-foreign outrages.
To Prevent Rupture OF Powers.
The attitude of the United States is
similar to that Of Russia. The report
published this afternoon that the Rus
sian minister had broken the concert
by his refusal to join in demands for
further punishment is not believed
either at tho state department or the
Russian embassy. Mr.. Rockhill will
also object to the proposal for addi-
tional executions. but this objection
will not. it is believed, result in rup-
tlre. The authorities propose to con-
tinue their efforts to preserve the con.
cert.
Cassini Talks OF Mauchurla.
The Russian ambassador, Count Cas-
SIM. talked during the day concerning
the reiterated reports as to Russia's
designs on Manchuria. He said he was
not authorized to make any official
declaration on the part Of his govern
ment but he gave his individual views.
He called attention to the Chinese in
vasion of Russian territory last sum.
mer and said:
'"There is a great stretch of border
between the two empires, about 5000
kilometers in length, and over the
Manchurian border the Chinese forces
poured. committing depredations and
Russian interests. This
invasion was of such character that
Russia would have been justified then
and there in declaring war against
China and taking Manchuria. Such
course would have been justified by
every principle of international law,
and the right Of Russia in this respect
could not have been doubted by any
other nation If Russia had been dis
posed to exercise this undoubted right
she had the military force on the
ground ready to execute it. But Rus
STA did not at that time take Manchu-
ria, and in that very fact il the best
answer to the present reports of Rus
sia's purposes to absorb Manchuria. If
she did not choose to take Manchuria
when the opportunity was open and
clCdl, why HIOuiu LhcAc oc any oICp
in that direction now?
why are Russian troops in Man
churia?' is frequently asked. Why are
German troops, British troops, Ameri-
can troops and other troops in Pekin?
There seems to be no surprise about
this latter condition, and yet it is en-
actly parallel to the presence of Rus
sian troops in Manchuria In each
case depredations were being COM
mitted, foreign interests were in jeo-
pardy and each nation sent its troops
to give due protection to the lives and
property Of it's people and to prevent
the recurrence of disorder. In Manchu-
ria the Russian civil engineers at one
time were driven away from work
along the Trans-Siberian railway. with
its spurs southwark to Port Arthur
and eastward to Vladivostok. 1t was
necessary to give adequate protection
to these engineers and to the railway
as we'll There was not the slightest
auction as to the right Of Russia to
construct the line across Chinese ter
-itory, and with this authority came
the necessity of protecting the line and
tho interests connected with il