Evening star., 1901-04-03
Powers, it is Believed, Have Re-
assured the Emperor.
Ii HUNG CHANG WILL LEAVE PEKIN
Manchurian Agreement is as Yet
Unsigned.
COREAN TROUBLE SETTLED

advised of the signing Of the Manchuriar
agreement, as reported in one of the dis
patches to a London paper. The embassy
officials are naturally hopeful that the re-
port is correct, but nothing has come tC
hand which gives the slightest indication
as to what will be the final outcome
The Chinese minister is likewise without
adv1ces as to the signing of the agreement
So far as he is concerned there has been no
change in the subject since he received
word three days ago from the southern
viceroys to the effect that Russia was
urgently pressing to have the agreement
signed In accordance with this informa-
ton, and at the request of the viceroys,
Minister WI sought to learn whether the
United States government was disposed to
further appeal to Russia not to press her
proposition.
Will Not Protest.
The United States has not been disposed
to take further action, however, and the
understanding is that there uatll be no di-
rect communication of protest addressed by
this government to St. Petersburg The
extent of action will be that already taken
OF urging China not to sign, and furnishing
our ambassador at St Petersburg Mr..
Tower, with copy of this communication
whether Mr.. Tower has presented this to
the Russian government has not yet APP
peared by any report he has made to
Washington.
TIE warlike tone of the press dispatches
from Japan are not reflected in any of the
official advices reaching the Japanese min
lister here. He is usually kept informed
OF all important developments and since
there has been no advices for the past three
days 1t is presumed that no essential
change in the situation has occurred.
q nrfr ole
without information of any change in the
Manchurian situation, and it Is stated spe-
cifically that no report of the signing of
the agreement has been received.
Will Not Brook Interference.
Definite information has been received
by one of the foreign representatives that
Russia has made~ an answer to Japan's
protest, stating that it is not Russia's pur-
pose to consult any third party as to the
agreement. Intimations of this character
have come in press dispatches, but the ad-
the foreign Offices, and can be relied upon
as showing Russia's purpose not to enter
tain discussion except with China as to
this agreement
official today that Russias threat of rup-
ture with China in case the agreement was
not signed could not prove very serious.
This official said that the severance of dip
step to war. But in this case, he said the
refusal to sign convention could not pos
sibly be construed as a casus beli, as a
nation always retained the right not to
conclude a convention which is construed
to be against it's interests.
Departure of Ii Hung Chang.
Although no official notice has rea ched
here of the reported departure of Prince
Ii Hung Chang from Pekin for Shanghai,
the officials are inclined to believe that it
is true, and that Ii Hung Chang is really
leaving Pekin for good, and because the
emperor is displeased with his conduct Of
the negotiations. 1t was known here when
Ii Hung Chang was made one of the peace
ENJOYS that he was pro-Russian in senti-
ment but there was no cause for COM
piaint on that score until this Manchurian
agreement came uppermost. Now 1t is be-
lieved that Ii has proved so earnest an ad-
vocate of the Russian cause, and has so
strenuously worked for the signature Of
the agreement that his own government
has felt obliged to deprive him of power
to further that agreement. If this under
standing Is correct it is believed that an
effectual check has been administered to
Russia in her designs upon Manchuria for
1t is believed the Emperor of China would
scarcely have acted in this summary fash
ion had he not received assurances of sup
port from some of the other powers
Agreement Regarding the Forts.
Mr.. Rockhiil has not yet acquainted the
government with the exact language of the
agreement reported to have been reached
at Pekin as to the Chinese forts, but TAX
ing the press accounts Of the ministerial
meeting as accurate, it is gathered that
Secretary Hays views have formed the
basis of the agreement. The original propo-
sition, strongly backed by most of the Eu-
ropean powers, was to destroy completely
the Chinese forts in the Gulf Of PechiIi
and on the road from Taku to Pekin. The
State Department felt that 1t would be in
expedient to proceed so far and leave China
naked to the attack of the meanest foe
Therefore the powers were urged to con-
tent themselves with the simple dismantle-
ment of the forts, leaving them in condition
to be again mounted with guns in a reason
able time. 1t is gathered that this project
has been accepted, for it appears from the
language Of the press dispatches that the
only fort ordered to be destroyed" Is one
on a point in the Pei Ho. which is to be re-
moved simply because it forms an obstacle
to navigation.
The COrean Trouble Settled.
A cablegram has been received at the
Department Of State from United States
Minister Allen at Seoul, stating briefly that
the McLeavy-Brown difficulty has been sat
glishman charged with the management of
the Corean customs department, and it was
reported that he had been removed ur Ter
Russian influence. Although Mr.. Allen Goes
not state directly the basis Of settem nt
it is known that his sympathies were
strongly with Brown. so it Is believed that
the official must have been reinstated The
immediate result of this settlement is to
remove what promised to be an ugly issue
between the United States and Russia for
the American minister's report shows
clearly that Browns removal would have
seriously injured American commercial in
terestS in Corea.
Soldiers Deaths In China.
Gen. Chaffee at Pekin has notified the
War Department that the following cas-
ualties have occurred since last rennrt ;.