Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-09
A CRISIS HAS ARISEN N
FAR EASTERN AFFAIRS.
BRITISH GOVERNMENT NOT Salts
FLED WITH THE ATTITUDE OF
RUSSIA.
UNITED STATES AND JAPAN
ARE EXPECTED TO JOY GREAT
BRITAIN IN AN EMPHATIC
PROTEST..

arisen IN far Eastern affairs which,
in the opinion of the British govern
ment, is graver almost than the
troubles which originally turned the
eyes of the world toward the Orient.
In this crisis secret negotiations are
going on between the United States
and Great Britain with a view to
thwarting what both governments APP
pear to consider a determined attempt
on the part of Russia to plant herself
permanently in one of the richest
tracts of the Chinese empire.
The conference helo between United
States Ambassador Choate and Lord
L~ansdowne, the foreign secretary, had
nothing to do with the Nicaragua canal
affair. To quote from a British Off
cial: "The Nicaragua controversy is
a minor matter compared with the
present situation. What Mr.. Choate
did was to receive from Lord Lans-
downe an important message declaring
that Great Britain was not satisfied
with Russia's declaration regarding
Manchuria as delivered TO Sir Charles
Stewart Scott, British ambassador at
st. Petersburg, by Count Lamsdorf,
and asking the United States if they
were prepared to take joint action of
such a decisive nature that Russia
would have no alternative but to re-
cede from her position.
Almost simultaneously, the Associat-
ed Press understands, the United
States government instructed the vari-
Gus ambassadors to take similar steps.
The answer of Secretary Hay has
apparently not yet been received in
London, although the fact that almost
concurrent instructions were issued
from Washington is taken here to be
sufficient guarantee that Russia's ac-
ton in Manchuria will not be tolerated
by the United States.
Japan is relied upon to take a line
in harmony with the United States and
Great Britain.
Germany, in spite of the Anglo
German compact, is regarded as rather
doubtful, owing to Emperor Williams
friendship for the Car. France, of
course, will side with her ally.
The significance of the present phase
can only be appreciated by those cog
infant of the lethargic attitude of the
British government hitherto regard
ing Russian action in China. Within
the last few days all this has changed.
What a week or two ago was pro-
nounced only in line with Russia's
usual policy is now termed "a grave
and serious state of affairs
Lord Landsdcwne is using every eff
fort to bring the powers into line, in
order to present to Russia such a men
acing front that, without any ambig-
uity regarding temporary or other ac-
cupation, she shall give up all designs
upon Manchuria.
What prompts the British foreign
office to take such an alarmist view of
circumstances usually looked upon as
fatalistic consequences, is the appre-
hension that Russia, having held her
own in spite of the protest Of the min
listers of the powers to the Chinese
government and having put herself on
record in the reply to Sir Charles
Scott as determined ON at least a tenn
porary occupation of Manchuria. will
refuse to back down.
That she must do so Lord Lans-
downe considers vital, both for the fu-
ture Of China and for the continued
existence Of the concert Of powers.
Count Lamsdorfs reply to Sir
Charles Scott is considered quite un-
satisfactory.
"If such are accepted by the
powers" said a British official last
evening to a representative OF the As
ISOLATED Press, there will be nothing
to prevent the immediate partition of
China, for, with almost exactly the
same verbiage any European power
could justify the occupation Of other
provinces"
There is much activity in japanese
naval, military and political circles re-
garding Russia's action in Manchuria. I"
says a dispatch TO the Daily Mail from
Kobe. dated March sth. 1T is report
ed that six hundred Russian marines,
with ten guns, have landed at Masan-
pc, Korea"
BERLIN, March s.-The German
press believes that Russia's assurances
regarding Manchuria to Sir Charles
Scott, British ambassador in st. Pet
tersburg, are insineere and intended
to blind the world.
The National Zeitung frankly as
serts that this Is their object
LONDON. March e.-"Emperor
Kwang Su opposes the Russo-Chinese
agreement az to Manchuria," says the
Pekin correspondent Of the Daily Ex-
- - L-L