The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-29
UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHETHER TT HAS
BEEN SIGNED OR NOT
TO Be EXECUTED BY MARCH 26.
The Japanese Embassy, at London,
Reports Order OF Chinese Courts for
Its Execution-The British Govern
ment Makes Protest Against ANY
eConcessIons by Chfna-Our Govern
ment Contemplating Direct Protest
to Russia on the Matter

Pekin, March 27..The Chinese had
not signed the Manchurian agreement
last night when the time expired.
London, March 27.-The officials of
the Japanese embassy confirm the re-
port that an imperial decree has been
issued by the court at Sian Flu, through
Liu Kun Vi, the viceroy of Nankin,
ordering that the Manchurian conven-
ton should be signed March 26th, the
date fixed by Russia. An intimation
of this decree has been telegraphed to
the various governments concerned.
Washington, March 27.-The British
government has protested against Chi
mas making a convention with any
power touching territorial or financial
affairs Gntil the present troubles in
that country are concluded. The fact
of the British protest was made known
here for the first time today by dis
patch from one of the foreign offices
of Europe. 1t states that the protest
was made through Sir Ernest Satow,
the British minister at Pekin. 1t does
not state when the representations
were made but from the fact that the
dispatch was received in Washington
today it is taken that the protest has
been within the last day or two. AL
though the Russian agreement is not
specially referred to, it is said to be
clear that the British action is direct
ed against the Russian agreement. The
language appears to be similar to that
used by Secretary Hay in the Amer1-
can protest.
The effect of the British action is to
place the United States, Japan and
Great Britain in formal opposition to
the arranging of convention with any
Dower pending the settlement OF the
Chinese troubles.
The concurrence of these protests
probably explains why the Manchurian
agreement has not been signed. There
was no definite information received
here today, at the state department or
at any of the foreign embassies, as to
whether the agreement had been signed
or rejected.
There was something of a stir in dip
Iomatic quarters over the report COM
ing from official sources, that the
! United States was considering the ad-
visibility of addressing Russia directly
on the subject. Heretofore the Amerl-
can objections to the Manchurlan
agreement have been addressed to chi
ma. Copies were furnished the Rus
sian authorities, though the protest in
Russia Several of the foreign repre-
sentatives advised their governments
that this step was contemplated by
the United States, but there is no Of
fcial information available as to how
far the consideration of the move has
proceeded.
St. Petersburg, March 27.-The CORE
spondent of the Associated Press is an
formed on competent authority that
the Russo-Chinese agreement will prob
ably be signed shortly. However, the
negotiations continue and the result is
not yet certain. While it is possible
the details will be slightly modified,
the arran1ements will be substantially
as demanded. According to the Rus
sian point Of view, an abatement of
Awhat are there regarded as moderate
demands would be inconsistent with
Russian interests and would not suff1-
GENTLY safeguard the frontier and rail-
road. The draft Of the agreement now
being discussed does not mention and
does not affect Mongolia or Turkestan.
1t concerns Manchuria exclusively.