New-York tribune., 1901-03-14
RUSSIA'S POLICY IN CHINA
AMBASSADOR CASSINI UNOFFICIALLY
DISAVOWS DESIGNS TO ABSORB
MANCHTTRTA
MANCHURIA.

MANCHURIA.
Washington. March 13-The Russian Am
bassador, Count Cassini, was seen to-day con-
cerning the reiterated reports as to Russias de-
signs on Manchuria- Count Cassini said he was
not authorized to make any official declaration
on the part of his government, but in view OF
the constant reports he consented to give ais in
diVidual views, based on his long service in
China and his familiarity with the general policy
Russia has consistently maintained toward
China
The ambassador first called attention to the
Chinese invasion of Russian territory last sum-
rner. There is a great stretch of border between
the two empires, about eight thousand kilo-
metres in length. and over the Manchurian
border the Chinese forces, he said, poured, COM
mitting depredatons and threatening Russian
interests This invasion was of such character.
the ambassador said. that Russia would have
been justified then and there in declaring war
against China and taking Manchuria Such
course would have been justified by every princi-
pie of international law, and the right of Russia
in this respect could not have been doubted by
any other nation. Count Cassini added that. if
Russia had been disposed TO exercise this un-
doubted right, she had the military force her
ground ready to execute it But Russia did not
at that time take Manchuria. and in that very
fact, the ambassador said. the best answer
TO the present reports of Russia's purpose to
absorb Manchuria. If she had not chosen to
take Manchuria when the opportunity was open
and clear, why should there be any steps in that
direction now?
WHY RUSSIANS ARE IN MANCHURIA.
The ambassador said that frequent reference
was being made in foreign publications and in
this country to the presence of Russian troops
nd
prise at their presence there. why are Rus
sian troops in Manchuria? ?" was frequently
asked. In reply the ambassador asked, why
are German troops, British troops American
troops and other troops in Peking?" There
seemed to be no surprise about this latter con-
dit1on. and yet it was exactly parallel to the
presence of Russian troops in Manchuria In
each case depredations were being committed
foreign interests We're in jeopardy. and each
nation sent its troops TO give due protection TO
the lives and property of its people and to pre-
vent the recurrence of disorder. In Manchlria
the Russian civil engineers at one time had
peen driven away from work along the Trans
siberian Hallway, with its spurs southwark to
Port Arthur and eastward 10 Vladivostok It
was necessary to give adequate protection to
these engineers and to the railway as well
Count Cassini pointed out the extent of this
great enterprise. with its benefits of traffic not
the prospect of its completion within the next
fourteen months. He said there was not the
slightest question to the right of Russia to
construct the line across Chinese territory and
with this authority came the necessity of pro-
tecting the line and the interests connected with
il against depreciation.
Inquiry was made of Count Cassni as to the
specific report that an agreement containing a
number of articles about TO be concluded
between Russia and China.
The ambassador suggested that such reports
must be taken with a great deal of allowance
particularly if they emanated from Shanghai.
which according to his experience was a
point from which many fabrications were sent
He was not advised of any such agreement and
in the absence of such advices he did not, he
said, feel at liberty to discuss the subject But
on general principles he pointed out that anv
agreement understanding which Russia
might make with China would involve two
sential features:
First-Adequate protection for Russian inter
ests in Manchuria in order that there might be
no repetition of disorder and danger 70 life and
property.
rial integrity.
NO PERMANENT OCCUPATION.
AS far back August -, Count Cassini
pointed out, the Russian Minister OF Foreign
Affairs in formal note had announced clearly
and distinctly the policy Of Russia in regard to
Manchuria. In accordance with that declara-
ton il could not be doubted that when order
had been established in Manchuria and meas
ures taken for the protection Of railway con-
struction Russia would recall her troops from
Manchuria provided the action of other powers
did not place an obstacle in the way of such a
measure.
The ambassador remarked that there was
really no occasion for recalling attention TO this
note Of August %. any more than there
need Of reiterating the declarations Of other
notes exchanged al that time. But in the view
of the ambassador. that note made it clear that,
whatever might be the understanding to
Manchuria, that territory would remain a part
of China the Russian troops being withdrawn
as soon as this could be done with assurance
that order would be maintained, unless
conditions brought about by the action of
other powers
CHRISTIANS KILLED IN CHINA.
ESTIMATE TWO Kindred AND FORTY