Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-03-26
BETWEEN TWO FIRES
Probable Consequences Of China
SiGnins or Not Si6nins the
Agreement.
The Matter Discussed and State
ment Given Out At Wash
infton Today.
China Asks Support Of 0ther
Powers in Case Russia
Makes War.

Makes War.
Washington, March 26.-The state de-
rartment today made public a note sent
to the Chinese minister on Feb ~
warning the Chinese government
egainst entering into any private terri
torial or financial arrangements with
cut the full knowledge of all the powers.
Washington, March 2s.-The Chinese
minister left this morning for New
York, where he takes part today in the
ceremonies connected with the Baron
Hirsch memorial. Up to the time of his
departure Minister Wu had received no
word from Pekir as to the final course
TO be taken on the Manchurian agree
ment. AS this is the last day within
which the agreement can be signed or
rejected the outcome is expected to be.
made known very soon. 1t has devel-
cped, however, that the sign ) is likely
TO occur as st. Petersburg instead of
Pekin, as the Chinese minister at the
Russian capital has been furnished with
a copy of the twelve articles of the
agreement which Russia expects to have
executed. At the same time a supple
mentary agreement may be executed at
pekin.
Since Minister Wu's return from Chi
cago he has held several conferences
with Secretary Hay, each time in refer
ence to the Manchurian agreement, the
last one, of yesterday, being in line with
those before in seeking to develop the
purposes OF this and other powers.
There is reason to believe some cable
dispatches stating that the Chinese
ministers at the various capitals have
made a final appeal of protest rather
misapprehend the real purpose of the
Chinese representations, which have not
been SO much by way of protest as they
have been OF inquiry as to whether the
great powers unitedly and firmly would
support China In case she took the seri-
ous responsibility of refusing to sign an
agreement with Russia. The general re-
cult of these inquiries has been to show
that while the powers did not approve
Of the agreement they were not ready to
commit themselves to backing up China
sn firm rejection of the Russian pro-
posal and consequent breach between
Russia and China.
The crisis in the Chinese question,
brought about thru the expiration of the
period allowed for the signature by Chi
ma Of the Manchurian agreement, was
the principal topic before the cabinet
meeting today. The conviction obtained
that the United States had done all that
il could properly do to prevent the con-
summation of this agreement and tc
make clear to the public the complete
tisapproval which is entertained by the
United States government for this
short sighted treaty making it wa:
deemed proper to gve out for publica.
ton the following memorandum:
relegrnphic instructions sent TO III,
representatives OF the United States ii
Berlin. Vienna. Paris. London, Rome
Toxic and 81. Petersburg:
Department of State. Washington
March 1.-The following memorandum
which wes handed to Henri on Feb. Is
is transmitted TO sou for your informa
tion and communication to the govern
ment to which you are accredited: Pres
ervation of the territorial integrity o
China having been recognized by all tn
powers now engaged In the joint nego
tiations concerning the injuries recentl
inflicted upon their ministers and ma
tionals by certain officials and subject
q Of the Chinese empire. 1t Is eyidentl
advantageous to China to continue TIL
19ADent international understanding up
On this subject. 1t would therefore.
unwise and dangerous In the extrem
Tor China to make any arrangement O
% conRtccr any proposition OF privat
nature involving surrender Of the ter
ritory Of financial obligations by III
convention with any particular power
and the government Of the Unite
States. aiming solely at the preserya
tion Of China from the danger indicate
and the conservation OF the largest an
most beneficial relations between tn
empire and other countries in accord
ance with the principles set forth in II
circular note of July 3. 1900 and in
purely friendly spirit toward the CHI
neee empire and all the powers now In
terested In the negotiations, desires I
express its sense OF impropriety. inea
pediency and even extreme danger [
the interests OF China OF considerin
any private territorial or financial al
angement, at least without the fu
knowledge and appoval OF all the pow
ers now engaged in the negotiations
(signed) HAY"
Assuming that the arrangement IL to
carried out 1t Is plain to the state d,
partment that nothing has occurred
change the status OF the United Stat,
towards the open door" as applied /,
any part OF China, including Manchuri
AZ far as written pisdger can commit
power. Russia stands pledged to accoi
to the United States an open door
she takes control of Manchuria, eth,
directly by annexation or indirectly, b,
quite as effectualy by the means pr,
posed in thip Russo Chinese agreemen
That is the view os the state depar
ment. and that view Is endorsed by Il
entire cabinet.
The administration believes seer,
agreement between Russia and China
In violation Of the spirit II not the lett
OF the general understanding to wilit
eil the powers subscribed last summe
and the United States is prepared
use all its moral Suaeion and iniiuen,
to prevent its contamination. Furth
than that. however, this government
not prepared to 20. The president n
members OF the cabinet believe II
conceivable that Russia is entitled, pc
Nape. to some guaranteee from CHI
for the sDrotection OF its railroad ,conce