Evening star., 1901-03-27
Russian officials Views Regarding
the Manohurian Agreement.
NEGOTIATIONS STILL CONTINUE
Russia is Not Disposed to Modify
Her Demands.
REGARDS THEM AS ASMODERATE

ST. PETERSBURG, March 27.-The cor
respondent of the Associated Press Is In
formed on competent authority that the
Russo o-Chinese agreement will probably be
signed shortly. However, the negotiations
continue, and the result is not yet certain
While IL is possible the details will be
slightly modified, the arrangements will be
substantially as demanded. According to
the Russian point of view, abatement
of what are here regarded moderate de-
mands would be inconsistent with Russian
interests and would not sufficiently safe
guard the frontier and railroad.
The draft of the agreement now being
discussed does not mention and does not
affect Mongolia or Turkestan. 1t concerns
Manchuria exclusively. Mongolia or Tur-
kestan have never been included in the
formal draft. but they formed a subject
with Manchuria, of an exchange of ideas
preliminary to formal negotiations. The
agreement will be designed for the protec-
tion of existing interests and rights, and
not for the acquisition of new things.
Russia Seeking Guarantees.
It is automatically admitted that Russia
is seeking certain guarantees for future Sc
curity and II IS positively certain that
powers have protested even Japan refrain
ing from this attempt to interfere between
two other governments. However, the Jap
anese minister discussed this and other
phases of the Chinese question with the
foreign office.
The statement of the japanese foreign
minister that Japan will necessarily de-
mand compensation IL the agreement is
signed has not made decisive impress
sion. for. as the authority OF the cores
pondent of the Associated Press says,
promises or threats and their performance
are often quite different. Russia does not
object to the principle of Count Won Bue
low Uhe German imperial chancellor), that
the agreement will rot diminish substan-
TALLY China's ability to pay the indemnity
since the arrangement does not affect the
existing commercial rights of other ma
ticns in Manchuria. China will continue
collecting customs dues In Manchuria.
Time for Signing Has Expired.
PEKIN. March 21.--The Chinese had not
signed the Manchurian agreement last
night when the time expired.
The ministers of the POWERS do not con-
slider the murder of Rev. ]. F. Stonehouse
of the London Missionary Society, who
was killed by Chinese brigands, fourteen
miles east of Tien Tsin recently, affects
the Chinese situation politically.
They are perfectly aware that the coun-
try around Shi-Nan is infested with rob-
bers, who are, naturally, hostile to foreign
eri and would take such an opportunity, as
in the present case, to kill one Mr.. Rock
hill. the special commissioner of the
United States. says he does not consider
it safe for people to travel alone In the
country districts. and guards cannot be
supplied to the missionaries Consequently
those going into the country take cOnsid-
cradle risk. The district in which the mur-
der was committed Is policed by foreign
troops. Therefore. China is not officially
responsible. The foreign troops practically
e,Utted Shi-Nan of everything worth taking
and the people there are indignant against
all foreigners. The missionaries attribute
the murder TO the leniency of the powers
toward China, which makes them seem to
be afraid.
The ministers have many different views
on the indemnity question. which may re-
suit in considerable delay in the negotia-
tions on that subject.
Imperial Edict Against Signing.
LONDON, March 27.-The officials of the
Japanese embassy confirm the report that
an imperial decree has been issued by the
court at Sian-Fu. through Liu Kun VI, the
Viceroy of Nankin, ordering that the Man
churian convention should not be signed
March %. the date fixed by Russia. An
intimation of this decree has been tele-
giaphed to the various governments con-
cerned.