The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-15
Some Powers Unwilling to Interfere
and Russia as to ManchuriR.
TERMS OF THE PACT SECRET
1T Is KNOWN, HOWEVER, TO PRO-
VIDE FOR A PROTECTORATE.
Question of ~Indemnfties Another Mat
ter That May Hasten the Parti-
tion of the Chinese Empire.

WASHINGTON, March 14.-Our govern
ment has not yet been able 20 obtain any
thing like an Official statement of TIE con-
tents Of the alleged agreement between
Russia and China respecting the protcc-
torate over Manchuria. If il were not FOR
TIE Information which comes to il Unosh-
cially. yet is brown to be reliable. the
State Department would he urable 10
affirm even the existence OF the pact. So.
I'm this state of official ignorance, it has not
been possible TO go very far in the direc-
ton Of protesting against Russia's course.
The State Department has from the be-
ginning sought to discourage any kind of
secret arrangement touching China, so that
the Russian agreement. regardless of its
details. would still be Objectionable from
this point of view.
The objection to the Russian move has
rot orystaIlized up to this moment. and it
IS felt there is every prospect OF a con-
summation Of the arrangement between
Russia and China, unless the other powers,
which now hang undecided. speedily come
TO a determination to oppose it. In view
of this impending crisis the officials here
would regard as Of secondary Importance
the negotiations still In progress at PEEK
ing respecting indemnities and punish
ments. were it not for a belief that there
Is grave danger that, by an undue in
sistence by the ministers at Pelsing on
the collection of impossible indemnities and
the continuance of punitive measures. the
United States government will be obliged,
I'm Difference to public sentiment here, to
maintain an attitude of exact neutrality
end withhold any assistance that might be
otherwise reasonably requested. in the
greater purpose of checking the consumma-
ton of an agreement which is almost GER
tain to result in the partition of China. So.
as already stated, Special COMMISSIONS
RockhiIl is acting under the instructions
OF the department. doing his best 10 keep
the demands of the ministers within the
bound of the ability Of the Chinese govern
ment TO meet. thereby following the con-
sistent policy of the department, laid down
as far back as last summer.
Such information as has come to the Of
hciaIs indicates that the Russian agree
ment consists of twelve articles. On their
face. il is said. they show a return of Man
churia to China. which would seem to De
quite i'm keeping with the desire of all the
POWERS. But this Is accepted upon certain
conditions imposed upon China. and IT Is
understood that these conditions, In erect,
establish a Russian suzerainty over Man
Churia, with a Russian official occupying
the chief executive position, quite similar
&c that of the British viceroy OF India.
Comparing this condition with that in In
dia, IL is said that IL the present agree
nlent is consummated Manchuria will be
much In the same position as one of the
indian states. having a certain degree OF
independence and yet conforming all its
actions to the supreme authority over it,
Chinese affairs received considerable at
tention at the State Department to-day.
as the Chinese minister. the British am
bassador and the Russian ambassador fol-
lowed each other in long conferences with
Mr.. Hay. II is understood that in the in
formal discussion with Count Cassini an
earnest intlmation was conveyed to him
hat 1t would be most helpful in dealing
understanding of Russia's plans in this
particular matter were forthcoming.