The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-06
RUSSIA'S POSITION
MUSCovITE EMPIRE MAKES STRONG
STATEMENT.
HER PRESENCE IN MANCHURIA
GOOD REASONS GIVEN For THE OC-
CUPATION.


sion in Washington Russia's
Asiatic Possessions Border ON
China for $500 MiIes-Disturbances
i'm Manchurian Provinces Made IL
Necessary to Occupy Three OF
Them-MOdus Vivendi Was Pre-
pared to Provide for Withdrawal
From Nanchuria-ManyF False Re
ports Circulated
St. Petersburg, April 5.-The Official
Messenger to-day publishes detailed re-
view of the negotiations conducted by the
allied powers with the Chinese plenipo-
tentiaries at Tien Tsin and Pekin, and of
the negotiations that led to the presenta-
ton of the French draft of peace condi-
tons which consisted of twelve points
which are not yet concluded.
The Russian government then makes the
following statement:
while anticipating an early settlement
of the questions affecting the mutual
relations between all the Powers and Chi
ma, the Russian government on its part,
considered it necessary to concern itself
with the establishment of a permanent
order of things in the Chinese territories
along the borders of which the Russian
Asiatic possessions extend for distance
of 5000 versts $500 miles,. To this END,
provisional written conditions for modus
vivendi were agreed upon, first between
the Russian military authorities and the
Chinese governors of three Manehurian
provinces.
with references to the institution Of
local civil administration, subsequently,
and after a careful consideration of all
the circumstances, the Russian govern
ment drew up the draft of special
agreement with China, providing for the
gradual evacuation of Manchuria, as well
as for the adoption of provisional meas
ures to assure peace in that territory
and to prevent the recurrence of events
similar to those of last year. Unfortu-
nately with the object of stirring up
public opinion against Russia, alarmist
rumors were circulated in the foreign
press regarding the purpose and inten-
tions of the Russian government. Falsi-
fed texts of treaty, establishing a pro
tectorate over Manchuria were quoted,
and erroneous reports were designedly
spread of an alleged agreement between
Russia and China. AS a matter of fact,
this agreement was to serve as basis
for the restoration to China as contem-
plated by the Russian government, OF
the province Of Manchuria, which, in con-
sequence of the alarming events OF last
year, was occupied by Russian troops In
order that the requisite military measures
might be taken, it was imperative that
the question should be settled one way
or the other. 1t was impossible to lay
down forthwith by means of mutual
agreement, the conditions of the eVacu-
alton of Manchuria. According to the
news received, serious hindrances were
placed in the way of the conclusion OF
such an agreement, and, in consequence,
it's acceptance by China, which was in
dispensable for the gradual evacuation OF
the province, proved to be impossible.
"As regards the eventual restoration or
the province to China 1t is manifest that
such intention can only be carried out
when the normal situation Is completely
restored to the empire, and the central
government established at the capital IN
dependent and strong enough to guaran-
tee Russia against recurrence OF the
events of last year."
The Russian government concludes the
lengthy statement respecting the Man
churian agreement in these words:
while the Russian government main
ta!ns it's present organization in Manchu-
ria. to preserve order in the vicinity of
the broad frontiers of Russia, and re-
Il. aims faithful to it's original and oft-re-
peated political programme, it will quiet
ly await the further course Of events"