The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-15
AMBASSADOR CASSlNI TALKS OF HER
ACTION AS TO MANcHURlA
NO INTENTION OF ANNEXATION.
On Account or Invasion Of Russian
Territory by Chinese Troops From
Manchurfa Before the Boxer Out.
break Russia Would he Justified In
Appropriaring this Territory-Sne
Now Holds ft for the Same Reason
That Other Foreign Troops Hold
Pekin.

Washington, March 1s.-The Russian
ambassador, Count Cassini. was seen
today concerning the reiterated re-
ports as to Russia's designs on Man.
churia. He 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 state his individual views. based
upon his long service in China and his
familiarity with the general policy
Russia has consistently maintained to-
ward China.
The ambassador first called atten-
tion'to the Chinese invasion OF Russian
territory last summer. There Is a great
stretch of border between the two
empires, about 5000 kilcmeters in
length, and over the Manchurian bor-
der the Chinese forces, he said, poured.
committing depredations and threat
ening Russian interests. This inva-
sion was of such a character, the am
bassador said, that Russia would have
been justified then and there in declar-
ing war against China and taking
Manchuria. Such course would have
been justified by every principle OF in
ternational law, and the right Of Rus
sia in this respect, could not have
been doubted by any other nation.
Count Cassini added that IL Russia
had been disposed to exercise this un-
doubted right, she had the military
forces on the ground ready to execute
it; but Russia did not at that time take
Manchuria and in that very fact. the
ambassador said, was the best answer
to the present reports of Russfa's pur-
poses to absorb Manchuria. Why are
Russian troops in Manchuria? was
sador asked: Why are Germany
troops, British troops, American troops
and other troops in Pekin? There
seemed to be no surprise about this
latter condition and yet 1t was exactly
parallel to the presence OF Russian
troops in Manchuria. In each case
depredations were being committed.
foreign interests were in jeopardy and
each nation sent it's troops to give due
protection to the lives and properties
of it's people and to prevent the re-
currence of disorder. In Manchuria
the Russian civil engineers at one time
had been driven away from work along
the trans-Siberian railway building
southwark to Port Arthur and east
ward to Vladivostock. 1t was necessary
to give adequate protection to these
engineers and the railway as We
Count Cassini said there was no. he
slightest question as to the right OF
Russia to construct the line across
Chinese territory, and with this au-
thority came the necessity of pro- Ct
ing the line and the interests connect
ed with it against depreciation.
Inquiry was made of Count Cassini
as to the specific report that an agree
ment, containing a number Of articles,
was about to be concluded beween
China and Russia.
The ambassador suggested that such
reports must be taken with a great
deal of allowance. He was not advis-
ed on any such agreement, and in alb
sence of such advice did not, he said,
feel at liberty to discuss the subject;
but on general principles he pointed
out that any agreement or understand
ing which Russia might make with
China would involve two essential fea-
lures; namely: First, adequate pro-
lection for Russian interests in Man
churia in order that there might be
no repetition of disorder and danger
| to life and property; and, second, the
maintenance of China's territorial in
tegrity. AS far back as August 18th,
Count Cassini pointed out, the Russian
minister of foreign affairs in a formal
note had announced clearly and dis
tinctly the policy OF Russia in regard
| to Manchuria. In accordance with this
declaration. it could not be doubted
| that when order had been established
in Manchuria and measures taken for
the protection of railway construction
Russia would recall her troops from
Manchuria, provided the action of 9TH
er powers did not place an obstacle in
the way OF such q measure.