The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-03-12
America and England
May Coerce Russia
THECZAR'SATTITUDE
Apparently Consider the Bear
Attempting to Plant Him
self Perm nentiy In
Manchuria.

nrlSeu III Iaf eastern aualrS Wnlcn, III
the opinion of the British government,
is graver almost than the troubles
which originally turned the eyes Of
the world toward the Orient. In this
crisis secret negotiations are going on
between the United States and Great
Britain with a view to thwarting
what both governments appear to con-
slider determined attempt on the
part of Russia to plant herself perma-
nently in one Of the richest tracts of
the Chinese empire.
Choate and Lansdowne Conferred.
The conference held Wednesday be-
tween United States Ambassador
Choate and Lord Lansdowne. the for
eign secretary, had nothing to do with
the Nicaraguan canal affair. To
quote from a British official, "The
Nicaraguan controversy is minor
matter compared with the present sit
uation." What Mr.. Choate did was
to receive from Lord Lansdowne an
important message declaring that
Great Britain was not satisfied with
Russia's declaration regarding Man.
churia, as delivered to Sir Charles
Stewart Scott, British ambassador ut
st. Petersburg, by Count Lamsdorf,
and asking the United States If they
were prepared to take joint action
Of such a decisive nature that Russia
would have no alternative but to re-
cede from her position.
Almost simultaneously, the Asso-
ciated Press understands. the United
States government instructed the va
riOus ambassadors to take similar
steps.
The answer of Secretary Hay has
apparently not yet been received in
London, although the fact that al
most concurrent instructions were is
sued from Washington is taken, here
to be a sufficient guarantee that Rus
sla's action in Manchuria will not be
tolerated by the United States.
Japan is relied upon ITO take line
in harmony. with the United States
and Great Britain. ,eh,
Gsrmanys Attitude Considered Doubtful.
Germany, in spite of the Anglo Ger
man compact, is regarded as rather
doubtful, owing to Emperor Williams
friendship for the czar. France, of
course, will side with her ally.
The significance Of the present
phase can only be appreciated by
those cognizant Of the lethargic atti.
t,ide Of the British government hith-
erto regarding Russian action In
China. Within the last few days all
this has changed. What q week or
two ago was pronounced only In line
with Russia's usual policy is now
termed "a grave and serious state of
affairs"
Lord Lansdowne is using every ef.
fort to bring the powers into line, In
order to present to Russia such a
menacing front that, without any am.
biguity regarding temporary or other
occupation, she may give up all de-
signs upon Manchuria.
What prompts the British foreign
oGfice to take such an alarniist view
Of circumstances, usually looked upon
as fatalistic sequences. is the appre-
hension that Russia, having held her
own In spite of the protest of the
ministers of the powers to the Chi
nese government, and having put her.
self on record in the reply to Sir
Charles Scott as determined on at
least a temporary occupation of Man
churia, will refuse to back down.
That she must do so Lord Lans-
downe considers vital both for tho
future of China and for the continued
existence Of the concert Of powers.
Count Lansdorf's reply to Sir
Charles Scott is considered quite un-
satisfactory. III such excuses are
accepted by the powers" said Brit
ish official to a representative Of the
Associated Press, "there will be moth
ing to- prevent the immediate parti-
tion Of China, for, with almost exact
ly the same verbiage, any European
power could justify the occupation of
other provinces"
Alleged to he Guarded With Secrecy.
Upon the degree Of support afford
ed the movement by Germany and
Japan depends the result of what is
understood to be the almost synchron-
GUS action, Of Washington and Lon
don. The whole affair is guarded
with the greatest secrecy, and 1t was
not apparently without motive that
q special dispatch was allowed to go
from London erroneously announcing
that the negotiations going on be-
tween Mr.. Choate and Lord Lans-
downe related to the Nicaraguan af-
fair.
A feeling peryades inner circles
here that III Count Lansdorf's ex-
PLANTATION is accepted by the powers.
Russia will be accorded a free hand
to take all she pleases. and the door
Will be opened to any other power