The age-herald., 1901-03-14
CASSINI TALKS OF
 RUSSIA'S PLANS Explains the General Policy
 Maintained in China THE MANCHURIA TROUBLE Russians Have as Much Right There as Soldiers of Other Nations
 Have In Pekln-Foreign h.
 terests in Jeopardy.

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 says he was not authorized to make any official declaration on the part of his government, but in view of the con stant reports he consented to say his in- dividual views, based on his long service in China and his familiarity with the general policy Russia has consistently maintained toward China.
 The commander first called attention to the Chinese invasion of Russian territory last summer. There is a great stretch of border between the two empires, about 5000 kilometres in length, and over the Manchurian border the Chinese forces, he said, poured, committing depredations and threatening Russian interests. The invasion was such, the ambassador said that Russia at the time would have beer Justified by international law in declaring war against China and taking Mauchuria But Russia did not at that time take Manchuria, this being, the ambassador said, the best answer to the present re- DOTIS OI ItuSSld pulP POS6 tO opocfp A'Ae"'A churia. As to the Russian troops now in Manchuria, the ambassador said:
 Why are German troops, British troops American troops and other troops in Pekin? There seems to be no surprise about this, and yet 1t is exactly paralle. to the presence of Russian troops In Man churia In each case depredations were being committed, foreign interests were in Jeopardy and each nation sent It's t< ha lives and DTODertN of its people. In Manchuria the Russian civil engineers at one time had been driven away from work along the Trans Siberian Railway with its spurs south ward to Port Arthur and eastward tt Vladivostock. It was necessary to give adequate protection to the engineers and to the railway as well.
 Benefit of the Enterprise.
 Count Cassini pointed out the extent of this great enterprise, with it's benefits of traffic not only to Russia but to the world at large and said there was not the slightest question as to the right or Russia to construct the line across Chi- nese territory As to the report that an agreement was about to be concluded be- tween Russia and China, the ambassador suggested that such report must be taken with a great deal of allowance, particu- larly if they emanated from Shanghai. He was not advised of any such agree ment but on general principles he point ed out that any agreement which Russia might make with China would involve ad- eouate protection for Russian interests in Manchuria and maintenance of Chi nese territorial integrity. As far back as August 25, Count Cassini pointed out 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 it could not be doubted that when order has been established in Man churia, and measures taken for the pro- lection of railway construction, Russia would recall her troops from Manohuria, provided the action of other powers c not place an obstacle in the way of such a measure.