New-York tribune., 1901-03-29
A DIPLOMATIC TANGLE.
POWERS AT CROSS PURPOSES IN RE-
GARD To MANCHURIA.
CONFUSION AS TO THE ANGLo-GERMAN
AGREEMENT-LORD LANSDOwNE'S
STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT

Copyright. 1901: BY The New-York Tribune)
GBT TO TRIBUNEl
London. March %. I a. m.-There is the usual
Chinese medley in the dispatches from Peking
St Petersburg, Berlin and Washington. posi-
tive assertion from Russian sources that the
Nanchura convention has been signed is met
with equally explicit statements that England
has protested against it and that the Chinese
Government has deferred action owing to ap-
meals from the Viceroys OF Wu-Chang and Nan
King and protests from Japan and other powers
Lord Cranborne admitted in the House of Com
mons yesterday that he did not know whether
she agreement had been accepted or rejected II
IS tangled slSein Of diplomacy. and the first
knot that needs TO be unravelled is the real
scope of the Anglo-Cernan agreement. This
compact has not been repudiated, but the two
partners have clearly been paying at cross pur-
poses and with demoralizing effect.
As far as the Yangtse viceroys are concerned.
those viceroys who had prevented a revolution
IN Central China were protesting against the
surrender Of Manchuria 10 Russia by the Man
chu party Of reaction. Count BGlow para
lived their action when he declared that Man
churia was outside the scope Of the Anglo-Ger-
man agreement. for he virtually licensed Russia
10 enforce and proclaim the provisions of the
Manchuria convention Lord Cranborne has
heen breaking the force Of this revelation by
a
impression that the two partners not in
cord respecting the policy which should be
adopted toward Russia.
The action Of Japan in interpreting in a natu-
ral way the scope of that convention and the
dangers to which the Yangtse viceroys may be
exposed from resentment Of the NIanchu dynasty
NAV warn the Western powers that strenuous
opposition must be offered 10 the Russian plan
Of campaign. Diplomatists explain the situation
as a result Of the German reverson TO Bis
ynarck traditions Bismarck always contrived to
have secret understanding with Russia, what
ever might he his relations OF alliances with
other powers The German Emperor has made
an agreement with England, whom Bismarck
never REGARDED as a natural ally. He has sud
denly honored the traditions of Bismarck diplo-
macy by disclaining any interference with Rus
sian designs in Manchuria The diplomatic view
IS that this result is due either TO the necessity
Of conciating the anti-English prejudice in
Germany or 10 the expediency of winning Rus
sian support 70 the indemnity proposals or other
points concerning which the concert is now di-
ylded
Members of Parliament are encouraged by the
outspoken leaders in The Times and are hop
ing that the government viii pull itself together
and condemn strongly Russian intrigues against
the integrity Of China This would involve en-
rbatic repudiation Of Count Won Bulow's an
nnuncen1ent that the Anglo-German agreement
excludes Manchuria and the adoption Of the lit
eral Interpretation of that convention placed
upon il by Japan.
English complaints are heard that the Ameri-
can Government is Inactive and feeble in the
China question These structures will come with
better grace when it is apparent that the Anglo
German agreement is not a cover for the Rus
rian conquest Of Northern China. and that the
british Government is bent upon supporting the
best of the Yangtse viceroys, instead Of condon-
ing the plots Of the worst and most reactionary
Manchurian ntriguers.
Lord LansdoNne's explanation Of the British
policv in the Lords yesterday satisfactory
in many respects, and especially concerning the
.'oren door" principle and an indemnity Of mod
crate amount More details were needed when
he declared that the powers We're unanimous in
oonderaning al acquisition Of Chinese territory
on any terms ard his reticence respecting the
agreement with Germany more noticeable
than ANYTHING that he said. The impression was
strengthened among those watching events In
the Far East most closely that the'Foreign Once
is greatly embarrassed by the Berlin disclosure
and seeking with the help Of japan. 10 bring
about a modification Of the Manchura conven-
ytion.
America IS congra tulated by to-day's news
papers on the capture of Aguinaldo General
Funston's feat viii. it is believed. make him
the most popular hero Of the hour on the other
side Of the Atlantic since Hobson.
After all it is thought that the capture of De
Wet in South Africa may not now be an i'm
--.,-.,.. / n F