New-York tribune., 1901-03-26
AMERICA KEEPS HANDS OFF.
TEST AGAINST SEIZURE OF MAN
CHURIA BY RUSSIA
Inv TELEGRAPH 10 TIE rRrnrxE.1

Inv TELEGRAPH 10 TIE TRIRCNE.1
Washington March 25-The United States de-
cned to-day to enter protest against the
seizure of Manchuria by Russia, although ap-
preached by other powers with that end in view
and warned by them that the cOnsummation of
the negotiations tomorrow in ST. Petersburg
would insure the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the Chinese
Empire and probably lead TO war in the Orient.
The decision of this government to abstain
from intervention. in accordance with It's ira
ditional policy. in complications beyond the
seas was communicated TO WI Ting-fang by
Secretary Hay. The progressive element of
China. composed of the Southern viceroys and
those Ministers to foreign powers who were so
indefatigable in their efforts last summer to
save the legations at Pekng and prevent the
Boxer movement from spreading beyond the
northern provinces, have now exhausted their
resources, and expect the actual partition of the
empire to begin at any moment 1t was repre-
sented to this government that Great Britain
and Germany were not ready to support Japan's
protest against the seizure of Manchuria, nor
did either wish take the initiative in inde-
pendent remonstTances. for obvious national
reasons but they prepared to support the
pacific intervention of the United States with all
the moral suason they could bring 10 bear.
II was further represented that nothing could
be expected from the Chinese Court, and that
Yang Yu the Ambassador of China at st.
Petersburg, would in all probability sign the
convention of cession tomorrow. II he does 1t
Is further declared that Japan will promptly
seize the rich province Of Fu-Kien with the
great ports of Annoy and Foo Chow. This con-
stitutes the japanese sphere of influence direct
ly opposite the island of Formosa. which Japan
wrested from China in the war Of 1895. and
which constituted the sole territorial prize Of
that conflict.
ADHERING TO IT'S DECLARED POLICY.
The United states Government has been
luctant TO contemplate this second step in dis
memberment as an inevitable result OF the
Manchurian grab which now appears certain
but is constrained to rest it's commercial rights
on its emphatic declarations in the last year,
which II believes cannot be disregarded by Rus
sia or any other nation These declarations OF
the American position before the world were
contained in Secretary Hays first note regard
ing the open door in China, which led Russia:
Japan, Great Britain. Germany ltaly ana
France 10 guarantee To preserve the status quo
and not to impose any determinations whatever
against American products in their so-caled
spheres Of interest or leased territory. The
decision OF the United States not 10 intervene
in the present crisis is further strengthened by
the cordial assent Of all the powers TO the as
sertions of American policy in the memorable
note Of July last, wherein this government
distinctly stood for a solution which would
preserve Chinese territorial and Administrative
entity. protect all rights guaranteed TO friendly
powers by treaty and International law and
safeguard for the world the principle of equal
and impartial trade with all parts of the Chinese
Empire If these two solemn promises are to
be broken in China, it will then be time for the
people OF the United States, the farmers, manu-
facturers and producers generally, TO say
whether this government shall take steps to
enforce the observance OF the obligations.
A PROTEST MADE IN FEBRUARY.
The third and final reason which led the
United States to-day 20 withhold its interven-
tion rests a hitherto unpublished but brief
and very important diplomatic incident. Stead
policy of abstainine from Old World disputes
the East. adopted the expedient in the Chinese
crisis Of sending circular notes to all the powers
even when such notes were directed to q single
power. This procedure of itself would have pre-
vented the United States this morning from
leading Great Britain and Germany and japan
in a direct formal protest Russia against the
seizure of ManChuria But it is now disclosed
that the United States has already fled such
an effective protest no longer ago than Febru-
airy II, when Secretary Hay warned China that
it would be unwise and dangerous to have
separate or secret negotiations with any single
power and giving notice that the United States
would not recognize the validity of such treaties
On March l a circular quoting this warning
lar care was taken that the American Ambassa-
dor at 81. Petersburg should present his COPY
directly TO the Russian Minister of Foreign
AHairs, and simultaneously Secretary Hay de-
nyered copy to the Russian Ambassador at
Washington. 49,
After expressly declaring to Russia and the
rest OF the world that this government would
not recognize SUCH treaty as that now pending
at 81 petersburg it would appear supernuous
later.