Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-03-29
IN PARLIAMENT.
Chinese and Boer Questions
Both Under Discussion.
England VIII Strongly Object to Any
Division Of Chinese Territory.
Reini0rcements Sent 10 Kitchener Cape Col
ony ENJOYS Shut Out Of Commons.

London. March 2S.-In the House OF
Lords today. Lord Lansdowne. the
| foreign secretary, announced that ne
further military operations by the
British troops in China were contem-
plated for the present.
When Field Marshal Count \ on
Waldersee recently ordered prcpara
tions for the recent expedition. The
| British government instructed Gen
Gasalcc to communicate with the home
government before participating there
in. The compliance of China To the de-
mands OF the powers Ia hardly Of such
character as TO Justify the withdraw
~ Of the allied forces but the British
government hoped to he able before
long to Withdraw or reduce It's forces
in China. ON the broad questions. how
ever. there was practical Unaninity
among the powers.
The allies had agreed that they were
not at war with China. and desired "a
derive no territorial advantage flom
the present events. They also recog-
nizcd the binding nature Of the exist
ing treaties ard desired to maintain
the open door in commercial and ESQ
nomical questions while within the
spheres where existed preferential
rights there should be equality Of Op-
rortunitv for all IN" powers concerned.
TIE British minister at Pekin had Been
instructed to bc moderate IN his le-
mands. and the government only 'l"-
sired 10 strengthen the guards sf;ft.-
cicntly to insure the safety II the le-
cations.
IN regard to the question ~ iadcm-
nifty nov under discussion il had been
decided that the claims should be for
Narded by the powers in one lot. As
Ia the source whence the indemnity
should hc paid. IL was noy desired p
impose on China any crushing burden.
Ey doing gn would be acting contrary
to the policy ~ the British govern
ment. which was Ia respect the exist
,nro III china us a power.
Both the British and German gov
ctumcuts had Informed China that ID
WAS not desirable while negotiating
With the powers as whole that She
should enter into private arrange
ment involving territorial or financial
conditions with any other power. Rus
yil had again assured Great Br'aln
that the occupation Of the British rail-
road was only temporary ana without
prejudice 10 the interests involved.
In regard "a thc reported Manchuri-
nm agreement. Lord LanSdowne said
he was not in position Ia pass final
opinion upon the matter.
The government would not CritiCise
IN carring spirit any arrangement
regarding Manchrria which was in the
nature VI 4 modus vivendi 1t was
suggested that the versions Of the
treaty published were simply trial bal
looms. on the part Of some official. or
pure inventions designed to bring
about = misunderstanding.
lie added; Nothing would give us
greater pleasure than to cooperate
with the Russian government in expos
inc such an unworthy object. If Hls-
sla would only. by communicating the
real text of the agreement. enable
Great Britain to put an end to ;his
misconcertion. We should be- prepared
to cooperate with her. What militia
ted against any such hopes has been
the mystery in which the negotiations
have been involved throughout
Count Lamsdorff, the Russian min
lister of foreign affairs. had. however.
informed the British ambassador at
st Petersburg (Sir Charles L. ScotD
that Il was the purpose of Russia TO
arrange n modus vivendi with China
with the object of preventing disturb
ances in the vicinity of the Russian
frontier. and she had no intention Of
seeking that guarantee in any acquisi-
tion Of territory or in any actual or