The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-09
ANNEXATION NOT CONTEMPLATED
Her sole Purpose to Establish Order I'm
Chinese Provinces Along Russian
Frontier-Agreement Made for Grad
nal Evacuation of
Announcement Communicated tn Our
Government and Causes Great saris-
faction-Russia Blames the Powers
for Chlna's Refusal.

SAcSSeLScT To-Day puDllShed a detailed
review of the negotiations conducted
by the allied powers with the Chinese
plenipOtentiaries at Tien Tsin and Pc
kin and of the negotiations that led to
h presentation of the French draft of
peace conditions which consisted of
twelve points. which are not yet con-
Guided.
The Russian government then makes
the following statement:
While anticipating an early settle
ment of the questions affecting the mu-
tual relations between all the powers
and China, the Russian government on
It's part considered it necessary TO
concern itself with the establishment
OF a permanent order of things in the
Chinese territories along the borders of
which the Russian Asiatic possessions
extend for a distance of eight thousand
VerstS C5,300 miles,. To this end, pro-
Vls1onal written conditions for a modus
ViVendi were agreed Upon first between
the Russian military authorities and
the Chinese governors of three Man
churian provinces.
With reference to the institution of
a local civil administration subsequent
ly, and after a careful consideration of
all the circumstances, the Russian
government drew up the draft of a Spe-
cial agreement with China, providing
for the gradual evacuation of Manchu-
ria, as well as for the adoption of pro-
ViSiOnal measures to assure peace in
hat territory and to prevent the re-
currence of events similar to those of
last year. Unfortunately, with the OBJ
ject of stirring up public opinion
against Russia, alarmiSt rumOrS are
circulated in the foreign press regard
inc tho n1pnnC md Intentions af thu
Russian government. Falsified texts
of a treaty, establishing a protectorate
over Manchuria were quoted, and err
rOneOus reports were deSiSnedly spread
of an alleged agreement etwee u
STA and China.
was to serve as a basis for the restora-
ton to China, as contemplated by the
Russian government, of the province
of Manchuria, which in consequence of
the alarming events of last year., was
occupied by Russian troops. In order
tina the requisite military measures
might be taken,-it was imperative that
the question should be settled one way
or the other. 1t was impossible to lay
down forthwith by means of a mutual
agreement the conditions of the evac-
uatiOn of Manchuria. According to
the news received, serious hinderances
were placed in the way of the conclu-
sion of such an. agreement and, in con-
sequence, it's acceptance by China,
which was Indispensable for the grad
ual evacuation of the province, proved
to be impossible.
LAS regards the eventual restoration
of the province to China, it is manifest
hat such intention can only be car
ried out when the normal situation is
completely restored to the empire, n
the central government established at
the capital independent N strong
enough to guarantee Russia against q
recurrence of the events Of last year"
The Russian report concludes the
lengthy statement respecting the Man
churian agreement in these words:
while the Russian government
maintains it's present organization in
Manchuria to preserve order n the vi
cinity of the broad frontiers of Rus
STA, and remains faithful to it's original
and official reported political pro
gramme. it will quietly await the Cur
Their course of events.
washington. April 5.-The United
States government a received a COM
munication from the government OF
Russia of unusual Importance, bearing
on conditions in China and particularly
those relating to Manchuria. The doc
ument is of such a character as to have
produced a profoundly favorable i'm
preston. and at the state department
is is looked upon as the most Salutary
development that has occurred Tor
many months in the problems OF the
east. AS to the exact terms of the
communication there is no Official
statement, thus far. Secretary Hay
received it from the Russian ambassa-
dor, Count Cassini, last night, and
took speedy steps to lay 1T before the
president. The latter shared the Sec
rotary of state's qualification that a
way has been found to dispose of the
complication over the
question and to bring Russia into
strong accord with the other powers,
At the Russian embassy no information
was o~btainable as to thes communica-
ton. Count Cassini asking to be ex-
cused from all inquiries.
While there is an entire absence o.
authoritative Information yet it is un'
derstood that Russia now takes occa'
sion to give. positive OF thu
disinterested sentiments which have
animated her throughout the consider
alton Of chinese questions. AS to Man
churia, it is made clear that Russia Z
course never has varied in the purpose
TO leave that province an integral part
of China and to retire the Russian
troops as rapidly as safety would per
NIT. This. moreover, 1T is MADE pam II
the unic has been Russia's
course throughout NOTWITHSTANDING
assertions to the contrary; out as q
more signal evidence of Russia S pur-
pose, and in harmony with the czai :
aspirations Tor peace anu
tween the nations, the Russian govern,
ment now gives assurances OF the mos
definite and satisfactory character as
to the execution of this purpose. rms
extent of the assurance can be pes,
Judged by the impression made IN tht
highest official quarter here that the
threatened crisis over Manchurla ha'
. been completely averted-
St. Petersburg, April 5.-Russ1a nov
blames the powers for China's retusa
TO accept the conditions of the evacu'
alton of Manchuria, and calmly say
she is in no hurry and can wait events
The unbiased opinion mere is mat hus.
STA occupies an impregnable position
from which nobody can dislodge her
However warlike Japan may feel, Rus'
STA is confident that no opportunity viii
be given her to take the OFFENSIVE WITH