New-York tribune., 1901-03-09
A STAND AGAINST RUSSIA.
SEEKING JOINT ACTION BY THE UNITED
STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN.
ANOTHER CRISIS SAID TO HAVE ARISEN IN
ABSORPTION or MANCHURIA.

THE FAR EAST OVER THE PRACTICAL
ABSORPTION or MANCHURIA
London. March "A crisis has arisen in Far
Eastern affairs which in the opinion of the
British Government is graver almost than the
troubles which originally turned the eyes Of the
world toward the Orient In this crisis secret
negotiations are going between the United
states and Great Britain with a view to thwart-
ing what both governments appear to consider
a determined attempt the part Of Russia to
plant herself permanently in one Of the richest
tracts of the Chinese Empire
The conference held on Wednesday between
United states Ambassador Choate and Lord
LanSdovne. the Foreign Secretary. had nothing
to do with the Nicaraguan Canal affair. To
quote from British official: The Nicaragua
controversy is a minor matter compared with
the present situation" What Mr.. Choate did
was to receive from Lord Lansdowne I'M
portant message declaring that Great Britain
not satisfied with Russia's declaration
gardinE Nauchuria. delivered to ST. charles
Stewart Scott. British Ambassador at st. Peters
burg. by Count Lamsdorff, and asking the United
States if it prepared to take joint action
Of such decisive nature that Russia would
have no alternative aut to reCede from her
position.
AMERICAN AMBASSADORS INSTRUCTED.
Almost simultaneously. The Associated Press
understands the United states Government in
structed the various Ambassadors TO take SINH
lar steps.
The answer of Secretary Ha7 has apparently
not yet been received in London. although the
fact that almost concurrent instructions were
issued from Washington Is taken here TO he a
sufficient guarantee that Russias action in
Manchuria will not he tolerated by the United
States
Japan Is relied upon 70 take line in har-
mony with the United States and Great Britain.
Germany. in spite Of the Anglo-German com
pact is regarded as rather doubtful owing 10
Emperor Williams friendship for the Car.
France. Of course will side with her ally.
The significance OF the present phase can only
be appreciated by those coEnizant Of the Ieth-
argic attitude Of tho British Government htth-
erto regarding Russian action In China. Within
the last few days all this has changed What
week or two ago pronounced only i'm line
with Russia'S usual policy is now termed a
grave and serious state Of affairs"
Lord Lansdowne Is using every effort to bring
the powers into line in order to present 10
Russia such "A menacing front that. without any
ambiguity regarding temporary other occupa-
tion she may give up all designs upon Man
churia
FEAR THAT RUSSIA WILL HOLD FAST.
What prompts the British Foreign Ofice 10
take such an alarmist view 0f circumstances
usually looked uron as fataiisti~ sequencsr i-
the apprehension that Russia. no ,ns held her
own in spite ~ the protest ~ the ministers of
the powers to the Chinese Government ana hav-
ing put herself on record in the reply TO SIR
Charles Scott as determined AZ least tenn
porary occupation of Manchuria. will refuse 10
back down That she must do Lord Lans-
downe considers vital both for the future Of
China and for tho continued existence of the
concert Of powers.
Count Lamsdorfs reply 10 Sir Charles SCOTT
is considered quite unsatisfactory. IT such
excuses are accepted by the powers" said
British official last evening 10 "A representative
Of The Associated Press. there will he nothing
10 prevent tho immediate partition Of China
for with almost exactly the same verbiage any
European power could Justify the occupation II
other provinces
I-pon the degree of support afforded the
movement by Germany and Japan depends the
result Of what Is Understood 10 be ,he almost
synchronous action Of Washington and Lon
don. The whole affair is guarded with the
greatest secrecy. and II not apparently
without motive that special dispatch was
allowed 10 go from London errOneuuSlv
nouncing that the negotiations going on he
tween Mr.. Choate and Lord LansdOWne related
to the Nicaragua affair
\ feeling pervades inner circles here that II
Count Lamsdorfs explanation is accepted by
the powers to Russia VIII he accorded free
hand 20 take all she pleases, and the door will
be opened 70 any other power aggressive enough
10 step in and annex Chinese provinces under
the pretext Of temporary occupation.