The Oskaloosa herald., 1901-04-04
TAKES FIRM STAND.
Emperor DEGREES That Manchurian
Treaty Be Not Signed.

London, April 2.-"The Chinese EN-
peror, L am officially informed, has in
structed the Chinese plenipoten-
tiaries," says the Picking correspond
ent of the Daily Mail, mot to sign the
Manchurian convention, even in mod
flied form"
Decision IrrevocabIe.
London, April 2.-Dr. Morrison, wir-
ing to the Times from Picking, March
rs, says: "The Yangtse viceroys have
carried the day. Ii Hung Chang, who
wired Tuesday urging Emperor Kwang
Su to reconsider his decision, received
an answer that the thrones decision,
in the presence of the unanimous adj
vice of the chief provincial officials,
was irrevocable and that the Manchu-
rian convention could not be signed.
"In spite of her threats, Russia seems
disinclined to slam the door. Nego-
tiations between Lii Hung Chang and
NJ. De Giers were certainly proceeding
yesterday, when M. De Giers agreed to
several formal amendments of the
text. Russia's cynical and bold di-
plomacy appears for once to have over
reached itself"
Russia Is Perturbed.
Washington, April 2.-Information
has reached here TO the effect that
the Russian government, being Sc
riously perturbed by the course Of
China in not signing the Manchurian
agreement, largely because of the pro-
test made by the several powers, has
conveyed a distinct and unmistakab BILE
indication to China that if this
course is persisted in there may be
an interruption of diplomatic rela-
lions between Russia and China, and
termination OF the present inter-
course between them. This is little
short of an ultimatum that China
must sign or take the consequences
of termination of her friendly rela-
tions with Russia.
Position of United States.
To what extent the United States
will take cognizance of Russia's dis
position to enforce the signing of
the agreement has not yet been made
apparent. 1t appears to be the pol
icy of the Chinese authorities to con-
slder this as a subject which concerns
the powers quite as much as it does
China. The matter has become fur
Their complicated by reports reaching
Washington that the Chinese author
tiles themselves are divided on the
course to be pursued, some of the
most influential, including Ii Hung
Chang, urging that acquiescence be
given to the Russian proposals, while
others insisting on rejecting the
agreement. The attitude of Ii Hung
Chang is accounted for by his we'll
known friendliness for Russian inter-
ests. In this case, however, there APP
pears to be arrayed against him the
strong influence of the southern vice
roys, Chan Chi Tung and Liza Kun vi,
who oppose the signing of the
treaty.
Not Yet Signed.
The reports reaching here Monday
morning showed that the agreement
had not been signed. It's status is
NEST peculiar. The time within which
It was to be signed expired last
Tuesday, but on that day Yang Yu,
the Chinese minister at St. Peters
burg, fell in the legation and hurt his
head, so that he was unable to trans
act business. This misfortune has
caused much amusement here, and
some irritation in certain quarters, as
it has been recognized as most time
the subject. 1t is not clear to what
extent the Russian intimation has
gone, but in any event it gives an
urgency to China's course which has
not been presented thus far.
China Has Until Wednesday.
St. Petersburg, April 2.-The new
term within which the signature of
the Mancburian agreement is demand
ed expires Wednesday. The con-
fdence that the treaty will be ac-
cepted substantially in its present
form is apparently mistaken here,
though no positive prophecies are
mace.
No Protest to Russia.
London, April 2.-The foreign Of
fee here tells the press that 1t is quite
untrue that Great Britain has protest
ed at st. Petersburg against the Man
churian convention. and it does not be-
lieve that any other power has done
so.
Plan to Rescue Emperor.
London, April 2.-The correspond
ent of the Globe at Shanghai. in a dis
patch dated Saturday, March 3d. says
he understands that the Yangtse vice
roys and Yuan-Shi-Kai (the military
governor of Shan-Tung), are prepared
to dispatch 100000 troops to Sian-Fu
to rescue the emperor from the hands
of the reactionaries and escort him to
Picking, if little pressure and promise
of moral support is Forthcoming from
the powers interested in the open
door.
The correspondent adds that the
suggested expedition would prove
popular in Central and Southern
China, would result in the destruc-
ton of the anti-foreign elements and
would lead to the establishment of a
progressive government at Picking.