The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-09
POWERS wake Up
Suddenly Realize That the Pol
icy of Russia
Points to Permanent Occupa-
ti0n of Manchuria.
A CRISIS is AT HAND.
England Appeals to United
States to Stand by Her.
War Preparations Take on New
Life i'm Japan.
A CRISIS Is AT HAND.

I -tAS
opinion of the British government i
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 govern
ments appear to consider a determined
( attempt on the part of Russia. to plant
herself permanently in one of the rich
est tracts Of the Chinese empire.
The conference held Wednesday be-
tween United States Ambassador Choate
and Lord Lansdowne had nothing to do
with the Nicaraguan canal affair To
quote from a British official:
The Nicaragua controversy is a
minor matter compared with the present
situation
What Mr. Choate did was to receive
from Lord LansdoWne an important
message declaring that Great Britain
was not satisfied with Russia's declara-
ton regarding Manchuria as delivered
to Sir Chas. Stewart Scott British am
bassador at St. Petersburg, by Count
Lamsd0rf and asking the United States
If they were prepared to take joint ac-
tiOn Of such decisive nature that Rus
sia would have no alternative but TO
recede from her position.
Almost simultaneously the Associated
Press understands the United States
government instructed the various ann
The answer OF Secretary Hay has ap-
parently not been received in London,
although the fact that almost concur
rent instructions We're issued from
washington is taken here TO be a suffi-
cient guarantee that Russian action in
Manchuria will not be tolerated by the
United States.
Japan is relied upon to take a line in
harmony with the United States and
Great Britain. Germany, III spite Of the
Anglo-G Germane compact. is regarded as
rather doubtful, owing to Emperor VIII
Ham's friendship for the czar. France, Of
course, will side with her ally.
The significance of the present phase
can only be appreciated by those cog
British government regarding Russian
action in China. Within the last few
days all this has changed
What a week or two ago was pro-
nounced only in line with Russia's usual
policy IS now termed a grave and SER
ious state of affairs"
Lord Iansdowne is using every effort
to bring the powers into line, in order
to present to Russia such a menacing
front that, without ambiguity regarding
temporary or other OccupatiOn she may
give up all designs upon Manchuria-
What prompts the British foreign
office to take an alarmist- view Of cir
fatalistic sequences is the apprehension
that Russia, having held ner own in
spite of the protest Of the ministers OF
the powers to the Chinese government
and having put 0efSGI On record IN the
reply to Sir Charles Scott as deter
mined on at least a temporary occupa-
tion of Manchuria, will refuse to back
down That she must do SO Lord Lans-
downe considers vital both for the future
Of China and for the continued existence
of the concert of powers.
Count Lamsdorf's reply to Sir Charles
Scott is considered" quite unsatisfactory.
IF such excuses are accepted by the
powers, said a British official last ev-
ening to a representative of the Associ-
H. -
prevent the immediate partition Of Chi
ma, for with almost exactly the same
yerbiage any European power could jus
tify 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 Sc
crecy; and it was not apparently with
out motive that a special dispatch was
allowed to go from London enormously
announcing that the negotiations going
on between Mr. Choate and Lord Lam
downe related to the Nicaragua affair
"A feeling pervadeS inner circles here
that if Count Lamsdorf's explanation
is accepted by the powers Russia win
be accorded a free hand to take all she
pleases and the door will be opened to
any other poWeE aggressive enough to
der the preaext Of temporary occupa-
ton.
THE GERMAN VIEW
Berlin, March 9-The German press
believes that Russia's assurances re
garding Manchuria to Sir Charles Stew
art Scott. British ambassador in St Pc
tersburg are insincere and intended to
blind the world.
The National Zeitung frankly asserts
that this is their object
JAPAN IS AGITATED.
London. March 9-.sThere is much ac-
tivity in japanese naval, military and
political circles regarding Russia in
Manchuria, says dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Kobe, dated March 8
1T is reported that 500 Russian marines
with ten guns have landed at Masanpo.
Korea
Emperor Kwang Su opposes the
Russo Chinese agreement against Man
churia says the Pekin correspondent Of
the Daily Express, and has Instructed
Ii Hung Chang to refer Russia to the
other powers
has appealed to Great Britain. Japan
and the United States, according to the
Shanghai correspondent of the Daily
Express, to assist China to resist RUS
siafs designs in Manchuria
FRANCE NOTIFIES WALnERSEE.
Pelxin. March 9.-The French have no
titled Count Won Waldersee that they
will send no more expeditions into the
country unless circumstances absolutely
compel. and that they will also with
draw their out2Osts beyond Pao Ting
Flu. Mr. RockhfH at the next meeting
of the ministers of the powers will pro-
pose that meetings be held hereafter
daily, in order to carry the business
through.
II Hung Chang says the return of the
temples o1 heaven and agriculture 10