Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-04-03
ENTERS A PROTEST.
Great Britain Opposed to China
Treating with any Power.
is AIMED At RUSSIAN ACR CEMENT,
Effect OF This Action IL to Place Great
Britain, Japan and the United
States in Formal Opposition
to Russia's Plans.

Britain, Japan and the United
States in Formal Oppositlon
to Russia's Plans.
Washington, March 2S.-The British
government has protested against
China's making convention with any
power touching territorial or tinan-
cial affairs until the present troubles
in that country are concluded. The
fact of the British protest was made
known here for the first time
Wednesday by dispatch from one
of the foreign offices of Europe. 1t
says that the protest was made
through Sir Ernest Satow, the Brit
ish minister at Peking. 1t does not
state when the representations were
made, but from the fact that the dis
patch was received in Washington
Wednesday it is taken that the pro-
test occurred within the last day or
two. Although the Russian agree
ment is not specifically referred to,
it is said to be clear that the British
action is directed against the Rus
sian agreement. The language app
pears to be similar to that used by
Secretary Hay in the American pro-
test. The effect of the British action
is to place the United States, Japan
and Great Britain in formal opposi~
ton to the signing of convention
by China with any power pending
the settlement of the Chinese
troubles. The course of Great Britain
is the more significant from the fact
that that government and Germany
have written alliance relating to
Chinese affairs.
The concurrence of these protests
probably explain why the Man
churian agreement has not been
signed. There was no definite infor-
nation received here at the state de-
partment or at any of the foreign en-
bassies, as to whether the agreement
had been signed or rejected.
There was something of stir in
diplomatic quarters over the report,
coming from official sources, that the
United States was considering the
advisa bility of addressing Russia di-
rectly on the subject. Heretofore
the American objections to the Man.
churian agreement have been adj
dressed to China. Copies were fur
nished the Russian authorities,
though the protest in form has been
to China, and not to Russia. Several
of the foreign representatives adj
vised their governments that this
step was contemplated by the Unit
ed States, but there is no official in
formation available as to how far the
consideration of the move has pro-
ceeded.
Ordered Not to Sign Treaty.
London, March 2s.-The officials OF
the Japanese embassy confirm the re-
port that an imperial decree has been
issued by the court at Sian-Fu, through
Lui-Kun-Yi, the viceroy of Nankin, or
dering that the Manchurian conven-
ton should not be signed March 26,
the date fixed by Russia. An intima-
ton of this decision has been tele-
graphed to the various governments
concerned.
Grants Delay.
London, March 2S.-The Shanghai
correspondent of the Standard, wiring
Wednesday, says: ''Officials here as
sert that Count Lamsdorff (Russi;.n
foreign minister) has accepted the
plea of the Chinese minister in ST..
Petersburg that an imperial edict pro-
hibits the signing of the Manchurian
convention, and that he has granted a
brief delay.
''China is reported to be raising So
600 new troops and to be preparing to
defend the Yangtse forts, fearing Rus
sian reprisals.
Flight anti-Christian rioters have
been beheaded at Chang Sha, in the
province of Human
Negotiations Hindered.
London, March 2s.-''The indemnity
negotiations are hindered," says the
Picking correspondent of the Morning
Post, because Germany insists in
forcing loan upon China to
meet the foreign demands. Sir Rob-
ert Harris scheme of internal taxa
ton would occupy so years.
French and Chinese May Fight.
"A conflict is believed to be immi-
nent between the French and Chinese
troops at Hwai-Lu. Ii Hung Chang
had ordered the Chinese general to
withdraw from the province of Chilli.
and the general replied that he would
withdraw after he had swept the for
eigners out. Thereupon Gen. Bail
loud (the French commander) left
Picking to-day with permission to
fight if his force should be attacked.
This permission is almost equivalent
to positive orders. The French have
$500 men at Hwai-Lu, and the Chi
nese are reported to number $4,000.
Victory would give the French COM
mand of the main road to the prov
ince of Shan-Si by better route than
Fo-Ping, which the Germans have Sc
cured.
Beg Americans to Remain.
"A remarkable testimony was
borne to the excellence of American
municipal government in Picking to-
day when many thousands of Chinese
assembled in the, American quarter
and presented a petition begging the
Americans to remain in Peking."
" Japanese Cruiser sails.
London, March 20. = The Japanese
cruiser Iwate, recently constructed at
the Elswick works, left Davenport for
the far east early Tuesday morning,
instead Of departing next Saturday, as
was originally intended. She shipped
her ammunition while she was coalinQ.