New-York tribune., 1901-03-27
RUSSIAN UNDERSTANDINGS"

The agreement surrendering half of the Chi
| nese Empire TO Russia appears not yet to have
been signed by the Chinese Government. II is
| reported TO have been referred to the Chinese
| Minister at 81. Petersburg TO be signed by him
! II at all. The purpose of such reference is not
clear. There is no reason TO suppose that Mr..
Yang Yu at the Russian capital will be able
10 resist Russian demands any more effectively
| than would Earl Ii at the Chinese capital on
the contrary, the former is naturally 10 be re-
garied the more susceptible TO Russian infiu-
ences Certainly such reference will not make
Chnas ultimate acquiescence i'm Russia's de-
mands any the more paatabe to the other pow
ers. Ii is. of course. possible that il IS a mere
pretext to gain time and TO postpone the
final decision. The Chinese are past masters in
the art of delay. But there is no apparent as
surance that Russia will consent to such delay
She gave China until yesterday to decide
whether to sign or not. We shall see whether
she Will assent TO further pOstponement or will
now declare the case closed by default
II must be much regretted that the Russian
Government has not informed the other inter
ested powers of the precise purport of the agree
ment, but has persisted in declaring IL private
business" in which no one but herself and
China is concerned. The partitioning of the
Chinese Empire is a matter OF direct con-
Germ 10 good many powers besides Russia. IL
is assuredly matter Of concern to the United
States, whose commercial interests In China are
far greater than those OF Russia. 1t will be re-
membered that something more than a year
ago the United States moved for an interna-
tlonal agreement for the maintenance of the
open door" in China-that is that there should
be no exclusive spheres of influence" and no
paruhoning of the empire, but that the terri
toral integrity of the empire should be pre-
served and all its ports be kept open to the com
merce of all nations on equal terms Ii was
certainly understood at that time that the Rus
sian Government cordially assented to that prln-
ciple. Again during the Boxer troubles of last
year the United States enuncated that policy
as It's rule or action in deaiing with China.
And again Russia understood in the plain
est manner 10 assent thereto. 1t is TO be hoped
Russia has now no intention of receding from
that understanding. Certainly the United States
has most legitimate right 10 stand today for
the maintenance of its approved policy of last
year and the year before.
The plea has been put forward that the par
utioning of the empire the establishment of
a Russian protectorate over part of il need not
necessarily conflict with that policy, for Russia
might keep the doors Of her protectorate wide
open 10 the world. That is true but so far from
! probability as 10 be outside the pale of reason
able consideration. We have only to observe
what has occurr ID at Port Arthur TO see how
/ futile such hopes would be- There was n dis
thct understanding, II not formal promise
| that existing commercial interests at Port Ar
thur should not be disturbed because of the Rus
sian annexation. But as matter of fact they
| have been disturbed. The Russian Government
has given 10 Russian banking concern the
monopoly of banking privileges there. and has
thus compelled al least one other institution TO
Withdraw. Moreover, the pending agreement is
understood. according to the most authentic
| versions available, TO provide expressly for the
closing OF the door against all nations but Rus
| sia. Americans are 10 be forbidden TO acquire
iand or TO conduct industrial enterprises in Man
ehuria or any of the northern provinces of
CHINA The doors OF half the empire are to be
| closed against the United States
Certainly no one can successfully contend that
| that Is matter OF no concern to this country
or one IN which the United States has no legiti.