Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-09


roys and was said to have fed to ,he
province of Shan ST.
His death has several times been re-
ported enormously. and his execution
was demanded, but IL was represented
by the Chinese that his following vas
so large that it would be dangerous to
press matters in this conectioh.
Eventually he practically dened lhe
court, but was sentenced to be depriV-
ed of his rank and degraded. Reports
of his rebeIlous intentions have been
current for some time past.
Washington, April S.-The Chinese
minister was an early caller at the
state department, today, to seek IN
formation as to the report, based on
adVices to the state department that
there mad been an interruption OF the
diplomatic intercourse between Russia
and China. Mr.. WI has not been ad-
Vised OF any such development ana the
information before the state depart
ment was so contradictory That 1t did
not permit any clear explanation OF
the real state Of affairs.
The doubt arises from the fact that
Mr.. Rockhills latest dispatch does not
mention any such disagreement. Yet
the dispatch received from Mr.. Squircs.
the American charge daffaires at Pc
kin. appears to have been quite eX-
p!icit that the difficulty already had
made Itself manifest. IL Is thought
possible at the state department that
the circumstances to which Mr.. Squires
refers occurred prior TO the receipt in
Pekin OF the last Russian note ana
that the trouble may have been ad-
justed subsequently.
Aside from the Geographic advices
there are some attending circun-
stances which indicate that at least
some strain or partial interruption OF
intercourse has occurred. The fact de-
vcloped in Washington about week
ago that Russia had delivered To China
what amounted to an untimatum on
the signing Of the Manchurian agree
ment This followed the usual course
of ultimatums and fixed a definite limit
of days within which China could act.
1t also conveyed the clear intimation
that unfavorable action by China
would lead to Il severance of diplomatic
relations between the two countries.
The limit Of time fixed Is believed to
have been one week and to have eN-
pired last Wednesday. China did not
sign within the time limit and the next
day. Thursday, Russia addressed her
note 10 the powers. which has been ac-
cepted as removing the pressure over
the Manchurian agreement. This at
first seemed TO be a waiver of her prior
intimation of an interruption of diplo-
matte intercourse and yet there was no
such explicit waiver. and the latest adj
vices from Pekin reporting that an IN
terruption has now actually occurred.
seems To be directly in line with the
threat previously conveyed.
The peculiar state of diplomatic rela-
lions between the Russian foreign Of
flee and the Chinese minister ut st.
Petersburg give further evidence that
friction has occurred. The illness of
Yang Yu was the cause ascribed for ms
failure 10 sign the agreement. There is
good reason to believe that the Rus
sian authorities did not regard his
sickness of Yang Yu as occurring in
good faith. but regarded IL as device
TO retard action.
The ST. Petersburg dispatches now
state that Yang Yu's sickness has so
increased since his last interview with
Count Lamsdorf that he may have to
withdraw. This is accepted here in well
posted quarters as n delicate intima-
ton that the Russian government mas
expressed it's sincere disapprovai in
such way that Yang Yu's withdra val
will follow in consequence. But there
appears to be an outward avoidance
of any rupture.
1t is said that Yang Yu's term end
ed about year ago, and that ne then
asked to return TO Pckin. The govern
ment acceded and Quai Chun was ap.
pointed as his successor. Owing to the
Boxer uprising Quai Chun did not go TO
St. Petersburg. but remained TO ne
come member of the Tsung Ii va
men. Should Yang Yu retire now IT
will be claimed that it is accordance
with the prior program In case this
proves to be an interruption of the re-
| lations between Russia and China, 1t
| is not expected to disarrange the ne
gotiatio between the powers and chi
ma or between Russia and the powers.
| 1t probably will be confined to ter
mination of the close entente long
| long maintained between Russia and
| China.
A brief dispatch from Gen. Chalfee
given out. today, gives news Of cas-
| ualty But it also contained the aSter-
isks, which mark the excelsior of matter
| regarding as not proper for pubi:ca-
ton. 1t is believed that the withheld
portion of the dispatch refers to the
declination of the other foreign mill
tary commanders to reduce the num-
' Der of fortified posts and the strength
I of the garrisons between Pekin and the
sea to the modest proportions suggest
| ed by Gen. Chaffee. In this matter
Gen. Chaffee has acted by direction OF
| his government. for there is strong
conviction here that the Emperor and
| his court will not return to PekiH as
| long as the force of foreign soldiers in
the town and on the route is so numer-
Gus as to threaten his sovereignty. The
strength of the garrisons fixed by the
military commanders is regarded rs
far in excess of the number that the
Chinese government is willing to toler-
ate.
Mr.. ROckhills advices to the state
department regarding the negotiations
at Pekin are more powerful in tone
than they were week ago, but it is
still apparent that the subject of in
demnity is bound to consume much
more time