Evening star., 1901-04-08
Contradictory Reports Regarding
RusSo-Chinese Relations.
RECENT THREATOP FORMER RECALLED
Reported interruption of Diplo-
matte Intercourse.
JAPAN MISREPRESENTED

The Chinese minister was early caller
at the State Department today to seek In
formation as to the report. based on ad-
vices to the State Department. that there
had been an interruption of the diplomatic
intercourse between Russia and China Mr.
WI had not been advised Of any such de-
velopment, and the information before the
State Department was so contradictory
that # did not permit any clear explana-
tion of the real state OF affairs.
All Of the attending circumstances and
some of the positive dispatches reaching
the State Department indicate that there
has been some disarrangement OF the Dip
lomatic intercourse between Russia and
China. The present difficulty, however,
arises from the fact that Mr.. Rockhilrs
latest dispatch does not mention any such
disarrangement, so that the officials feel
bound to accept that as pretty strong evil
dence that any prior intimations of discord
have not taken actual form. Yet these
prior intimations. coming from Mr.. Squires.
American charge d'affaires, I'm the absence
OF Minister Conger, appear to have been
quite explicit that the difficulty had al
ready made itself manifest. Such advlces
would have been taken as final had il not
been that Mr.. Rockhill's telegraph came
later, apparently covering the whole sub
ject, and yet emitting any reference to
that point. which, IL ii had occurred could
have hardly escaped the attention OF the.
American commissioner. Ii is In that view
of the case that the State Department
maintains an attitude of doubt and ex-
pectancy, and is not yet prepared to admit
that there has been an interruption of in
tercourse between the two countries either
limited or complete.
In Line With Previous Threat.
But aside from these telesraphic ad-
vices, there are some attending circum-
stances which indicate that at least some
strain or partial interruption of intercourse
has occurred. The fact developed in Wash
ington about a week age that Russia had
delivered to China what amounted to an
ultimatum on the signing of the Manchu-
rian agreement. This followed the usual
course of ultmatums and fixed definite
limit of time within which China could act.
enc way or the other. 1t also conveyed
the clear intimation that unfdvorable ac-
tion by China would lead to a severance OF
diplomatic relations between the two coun-
tries. The limit of time fixed is believed
to have been one week, and to have expired
last Wednesday. This most important Of
fetal threat appears 20 have escaped the
attention. and even the knowledge, of Eu-
ropean capitals. 1t reached Washington.
however. in. official and definite form. and
was looked upon as the turning point Of
Russia's demands. China did not sign with
in the time limit, and the next day, Thurs
day, Russia addressed her note to the pow
ers, which has been accepted removing
the pressure over the Manchurian agree
nlent. This at first seemed to be a waiver
of her prior intimation Of an interruption
of diplomatic intercourse. and yet there
was no explicit waiver. and the latest ad-
vices from Pekin reporting that an inter
ruption has now actually occurred, seem
to be directly in line with the threat pre-
viously conveyed.
Negotiations at st. PetersburR.
The peculiar state of diplomatic relations
between the Russian foreign Office and the
Chinese minister at st. Petersburg gives
further evidence that friction has occurred.
The illness of Yang Yu was the cause
ascrbed for his failure to sign the agree
ment. There is good reason to believe that
the Russian authorities did not regard this
illness OF Yang Yu as occurring in good
faith, but looked upon ii a device to
avoid action. The St. Petersburg dis
patches now state that Yang Yu's Illness
has so increased since his last interview
with Count Lansdorn that he may have to
Withdraw. This is accepted here in we'll
posted quarters as delicate intimation
that the Russian government has expressed
its disapprCval in such a way that Yang
Yu's Withdrawal will follow in consequence.
But there appears to be an outward avoid
aace of any rupture. 1t is said that Yang
Yus term ended about year ago, and
that he then asked to return to Pekin. The
government acceded and Quai Chung was
appointed as his successor. Owing to the
Boxer uprising, Quai Chung did not go to
St. Petersburg, but remained to become a
member Of the tsung II yamen. 1t is said.
therefore, that Yang Yu's present retire
II ent would be In accordance with the prior
proeI9pi.
IN case there proves to be an interruption
OF the relations between Russia and China
ii lis not expected to disarrange the negotia-
tions betweef. the powers and China, or be-
tween Russia and the powers 1t would
probably lie confined to a termination OF
the close entente long maintained between
Russia and China. There was no sugges-
tion that the Russian minister, NJ. de Giers
will leave Pekin, although his dealings
there are more with the concert of powers
than with the Chinese government.