The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-09
Britain, the United States and Japan
Opposing Russia, While France
II supporting Her Ally.
SITUATION SAID TO BE GRAVE
MORE DIREFUL IN POSSIBILITIES
THAN THE ORIGINAL TROUBLE.
Count Lnmsdorfs Reply to Britain's
Inquiry Not satisfactory-Atsf-
tude of the United States.

LONDON. March "a crisis has arisen
in far Eastern affairs which, in the opin-
ion OF the British government, is graver al
most 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 view to thwart-
ing what both governments appear to con-
slider determined attempt on the Part of
Russia to plant herself permanently in one
of the richest tracts OF the Chinese empire.
The conference held on Wednesday be-
tween United States Ambassador Choate
and Lord Lansdowne. the foreign secre-
guam canal affair. To quote from British
Official: 1.-The Nicaragua controversy is a
minor matter compared with the present
situation" What Mr.. Choate did was to
receive from Lord Lansdowne an impor-
tant message declaring that Great Britain
was not satisfied with Russia's declaration
Charles Stewart Scott, British ambassador
at st. Petersburg, by Count Lamsdorf, and
asking the United States If they were pre-
pared to take joint action of such de-
cisive nature that Russia would have no
alternative but TO recede from her position.
Almost simultaneously, the Associated
Press understands. the United States gov
ernment instructed the various ambassa-
dors to take similar steps.
The answer of Secretary Hay has ap-
parently not yet been received in London,
although the fact that almost concurrent
instructions were issued from Washington
is taken here to be a sufficient guarantee
that Russia's action in Manchuria will not
be tolerated by the United States.
Japan is relied on to take line in har-
mony with the United States and Great
Britain. Germany. in spite of the Anglo
German compact, is regarded as rather
doubtful. owing TO Emperor williams
friendship to the Gear. France, OF course,
will side with her ally.
BRITAIN AROUSED.
The significance of the present phase
can only be appreciated by those cognizant
of-the lethargic attitude of the British
60 .ernment hitherto regarding Russian ac-
ton I'm China Within the last few days
ell this has changed. What a week or
two ago was pronounced only in line with
Russias usual policy is now termed "a
grave and serious state of affairs" Lord
Lansdowne Is using every effort to bring
the powers into line. in order TO present
10 Russia such a menacing front that with
out any ambiguity regarding temporary
designs upon Manchuria.
What prompts the British Foreign Of
fee to take such an alarmist view of cir
cumstances usually looked on as fatalistic
sequences. Is the apprehension that Rus
sia. having held her own In spite Of the
protest of the ministers of the powers TO
the Chinese government, and having put
herself on record in the reply to Sir Charles
Scott as determined on at least a temporary
occupation OF Manchuria, will refuse 10
back down. That she must do so, Lord
Lansdowne considers vital. both for the
future of China md for the continued ex-
istence of the co.-eert of the powers
Count Lamsdorf's reply to Sir Charles
Scott Is considered quite unsatisfactory.
''If such excuses are accepted by the pow
ers,'' said British official last evening to
a representative OF the Associated Press,
'there will be nothing to prevent the imme-
diate partition of China. for with almost
exactly the same verbiage any European
power could justify the occupation OF other
PROVINCES
Upon the degree of support afforded the
movement by Germany and Japan depends
the result OF what is understood to be the
almost synchronous action of Washington
and London. The whole affair is guarded
with the greatest secrecy. and IL was not
apparently without motive that a special
dispatch was allowed TO so from London
enormously announcing that the negotia-
tions going on between Mr.. Choate and
Lord Lansdowne related TO the Nicaragua
affair. A feeling pervades inner circles
here that II Count Lamsdorf's explanation
Is accepted by the powers Russia will be
accorded a free hand 10 take all she
pleases and the door will be opened 10 any
other power aggressive enough to step in
and annex Chinese provinces under the pre-
text of temporary occupation.
The text of the Russo-Chinese convention
concerning Manchuria has been received
here. 1t confirms the accuracy OF the fore
cast cabled TO the London Times by it's
Peking correspondent Feb q and cabled
TO the Associated Press Feb. 2S
There is much activity in Japanese
naval. military and political circles regard
ing Russia's action In Manchuria." says a
dispatch 10 the Daily Mail. from Kobe,
dated March 5. 1t Is rumored that six hun
dred Russian marines. with ten guns. have
landed at Mesanpo, Korea.
Emperor Kwang su opposes the Russo
Chinese agreement to Manchuria." says
he PekIns correspondent OF the Daily Ex-