Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-03-14
A CRISIS ON China.
America and England to ThwMt
Russian Designs.
CUSSIA HANKtRS AFTER MAyCHURIA


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London, March GA crisis has
risen in far eastern affairs. which, in
the opinion of the British govern
ment, is grayer almost than the trou-
bles which originally turned the eyes
Of the world toward the orient. In
this crisis secret negotiations are 60
ing on heween the United States and
Great Britain with view to tEwart-
NJ what both governments appear
10 consider q determined attempt on
the part of Russia to plant herself
permanently in one of the richest
tracts of the Chinese empire. The
conference held Wednesday between
United States Ambassador Choate and
Lord Lansdowne, the foreign secre-
tary. had nothing to do with the Mic
araeua canal affair. To quote from
British official, "the Nicaragua con-
trosersy is minor matter compared
with The present situation" What
Mr.. ChOate did was to receive from
Lord Lansdowne an important mes
sage declaring that Great Britain was
not satisfied with Russia's declaration
regarding Manchuria. as delivered to
Sir Charles Stewart Scott, British am
bassador at st. Petersburg, by Count
Lamsdorf, and asking the United
States if they We're prepared to take
Joint action of such decisive nature
that Russia would have no alternative
but TO recede from her position. Al
most simultaneously, the Associated
press understands. the United States
government instructed the various
ambassadors to take similar steps.
The answer of Secretary Hay has APP
pnrently not yet hren received in
London, although the fact that almost
concurrent Instructions were issued
from Washington is taken here to be
n sufficient guarantee that Russia's
action in Manchuria will not be toll
Grated 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 re-
garded as rather doubtful. owing to
Emperor Williams friendship for the
car. France, of course, will side
with her ally.
"lf such excuses are accepted by
the powers said a British official to
representative of the Associated
press. referring to Count Lamsdorf's
reply to Sir Charles Scott. "there will
be nothing to prevent the immediate
partition Of China. for with almost
exactly the same verbiage any Euro
pean power could justify the occupa-
ton Of other provinces"
A Chinese Court OF Justice.
Washington. March $50 far as is
known the United States was the
first of the powers at Pekin to erect
regular Chinese court of Justice in
the Chinese capital in place of the
arbitrary military courts which have
been acting since the entrance of the
allies into the city. The war depart
ment has just received copy of an
order issued by Gen. Chaffee institut-
ing "a Chinese criminal court of JUS
tice" for that section of pekin policed
by the United States troops. It is
required that the Judge shall be a
Cinnamon. His jurisdiction extends
over all Chinese offenders against CHI
nese inhabitants.
Copies of orders issued by Gen.
Chaffee, just received at the war de-
partment, show that the American
troops in China are under the strict
est discipline and are closely confined
TO the limits under the control of the
United States forces. When off duty
they are not allowed to enter sec
tons Of the city polced by troops of
other nations and soldiers on duty
cannot visit such sections except upon
written authority. Soldiers are not
allowed to leave camp unless they are
In proper uniform, and the sergeant
of the guard is required to inspect
all soldiers returning from pass and
TO lock up those found under the in.
fluence of liquor. Soldiers and civil
ian employees are not permitted to
carry revolvers or other firearms
when going on pass.