The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-04
WILL KEEP MANCHURIA.
Russia Does Not Care Whether the
Agreement BE signed or Not.

Agreement
WASHINGTON, April s.-The ST. Peters,
burg dispatch printed this morning has
aroused interest in official circles here. For
the same reason that prevented the cor
respondent from quoting any authority in
the Russian government as a source of the
suggestion contained in his dispatch, 1t is
not possible to cite official authority for
the comment that has passed here on the
suggested Russian plea. This. in bries.
is that the action of the powers in opposing
the Manchurian agreement will make 1t i'm
possible for Russia to leave Manchuria at
all. The comment on this suggested plea
is that Russia deliberately proposes to com
nit a greater offense in the permanent
seizure of Manchuria if the powers will not
connive at a lesser one in allowing her to
make secret and private agreement with
China This plea, IL is said, would he
laughed out OF any court of international
law, so disingenuous is It, Russia is dis .
pleased because the powers discouraged
China from entering the agreement; yet
Russia herself joined with the other powers
in undertaking to avoid any such private
agreement involving the acquisition of Chi
nese territory. Even If she persists, even
II she forces China To sign the Manchurian
agreement, there Is no obligation upon the
powers, and certainly not upon the United
States. to whom this Russian pledge was
given, to look upon ii as binding at any
Point. BY the same reasoning, should Rus
sia, failing 10 secure an agreement continue
in Manchuria beyond a reasonable time.
there is no obligation upon any power TO
respect her title. and it may be predicted
that this subject will lead TO controversy
of the gravest character.
Although no official notice has reached
here of the reported departure of Prince
Ii Hung Chang from Peking for Shanghai,
the officials are inclined to believe it is
true and that Ii Hung Chang is really
leaving Peking for good and because the
Emperor is displeased with his conduct of
the negotiations. 1t was known here that
when Ii Hung Chang was made one of the
peace envoys that he was pro-Russian in
sentiment but there was no cause for com
plant on that score until the Manchurian
agreement came up for consideration. Now
1t is believed by officials here that Ii has
sian cause and has so strenuously worked
for the signature OF tie agreement that
his own government has felt obliged to
n.ent. If this understanding is correct. It
Is believed that an effectual check has been
administered TO Russia in her designs upon
Manchuria, for 1t is thought the Emperor
OF China would scarcely have acted in this
summary manner had he not received as
surances of support from some of the othe-
powers
Mr.. Rockhill has not yet acquainted the
government with the exact language of the
agreement reported to have been reached
at Pekng as TO Chinese forts, but, taking
the press accounts of the ministerial meet
ing as accurate, it is gathered that Secre-
tary Hays views have formed the basis
of the agreement. The original proposition.
strongly backed by most of the European
powers, was 10 completely destroy the Chi
nese forts in the Gulf of Pe-Chi-Li and on
the road from Taku TO Peking. The STATE
Department felt that II would be inexre-
dient ITO proceed so far and leave China
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3. COL. A.