The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1901-04-11
TWILL TAht H[R T|h[
Russia Will Not Leave Manchuria
Until She Sees Fit.
ueR OCCUPATION IS ONLY TEMPORARY
Explanation Of Her Attitude Is Satisfactory 10
America. but Not to Jspsn-Lttss
Makes . Vigorous Protest.

ST. PETERSBURG. April s.-The
Omcial Messenger today publishes q
detailed review Of the negotiations
conducted by the allied powers with
the Chinese plenipotentiaries at Tien
Tsin and Pekin, and of the negotia-
tions that led to the presentation of
the French draft of peace conditions,
which consisted Of IL points, but
which are not yet concluded. The
Russian government then makes the
following statement:
while anticipating an early settle
ment of the questions affecting the
mutual relations between all the pow.
ers and China, the Russian govern
ment, on its part. considered II neces-
sary to concern itself with the estab-
lishment Of permanent order of
things In the Chinese territories along
the borders of which the Russian
Asiatic possessions extend for dis
tance of 5000 versts $500 miles). To
this end, provisional written condi-
tions for q modus vivendi were
agreed upon first between the Rus
sian military authorities and the Chi
nese governors of three Manchurian
provinces. With reference to the in
stitution of a local civil administra-
ton subsequently, and after a careful
consideration of all the circumstances.
the Russian government drew up the
draft of a special agreement with
China providing for the gradual evac-
uation of Manchuria, as well as for
the adoption Of provisional measures
to assure peace In that territory, and
to prevent the recurrence of events
similar to those of last year. Unfor-
tunately, with the object of stirring
up public opinion against Russia,
alarmist rumors were circulated In
the foreign press regarding the pur-
pose and intentions of the Russian
government. Falsifed texts of a
treaty establishing protectorate over
Manchuria were quoted, and erron-
eous reports were designedly spread
Of an alleged agreement between
Russia and China. AS matter of
fact, this agreement was to serve as
q basis for the restoration to China,
as contemplated by the Russian gov
ernment of Manchuria, which, in con-
sequence of the alarming events Of
last year, were 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.
It was impossible to lay down forth
with by means of a mutual agreement
the conditions of the evacuation Of
Manchuria. According to news re-
ceived, serious hindrances were placed
in the way of the conclusion of such
an agreement, and. In consequence. its
acceptance by China, which was indis-
pensable for the gradual evacuation of
the province, proved to be impossible.
CAS- regards the eventual restoration
of the province to China, 1t Is man.
ifest that such intention can only
be carried out when the normal sit
uation is completely restored to the
empire, and the central government
established at the capital independent
and strong enough to guarantee Rus
sia against a recurrence of the events
Of last year. While the Russian gov
ernment maintains its present organ
ization in Manchuria, to preserve
order in the vicinity of the broad
frontiers of Russia, and remains faith
full to its original and oft-repeated po-
litical programme, 1t will quietly await
the further course of events"