The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1901-04-11
RUSSIA ASSERTS AUTHORITY.
Prepares 10 Demonstrate Her DOmi.
nance in Disputed Territory.

PekIn, April BIT Il reported here
that the few Russian officers who 4.
were stationed ut Tien Tsin have al
ready gone to Port Arthur II il al
so said that arrangements are being
made by the Russians to give tangi-
ble proof of their dominance in Man
churia, In consequence OF the Chinese
refusal to ratiiy the Manchurian con
vention.
The Chinese government has for
mally notified Russia that China.
owing to the attitude OF the powers,
Is not able to sign the Manchurian |
convention.
1T is China desire, says the for
NAL notification. ito keep on friendly |
terms with all nations. At present !
she is going through a period which
is the most perilous III the empire :
history, and it is necessary that she
should have the friendship of all.
However much she might be will
ing TO grant any special privilege to
one power, when others object II Is
impossible that, for the sake OF max
ing one nation friendly, she should
ALLEVIATE the sympathies of all
others.
LII Hung Chang says this letter set
ties the matter definitely and that
Russia was informally notified TO the
same effect March 20.
Prince Ching asserts that every
Chinaman except Ii Hung Chang
was against signing the convention
Yang Yu. the Chinese minister TO
, Russia. has requested permission
from the emperor to resign his office.
He is a Manchu. and the duty OF
signing away Manchuria, should ne
be called upon to perform it, would
be so unpleasant to him that he
seeks to evade it.
Washington, April 3.-The St
Petersburg dispatch printed this
morning has aroused interest IN OH
cial circles here. For the same rea
son that prevented the correspond
l. ent from quoting any authority IL
y the Russian government as source
u OF the suggestion contained IN hi
e dispatch. it is not possible to cit
g official authority for the common
q that has been passed here upon tn
suggestive Russian plea. This Il
re brief. is that the action of the power
n, in opposing the Manchurian agree
IL ment will make it impossible for Rus
3. STA to leave Manchuria at all.
I'd The comment upon this suggestiv
+. plea is that Russia deliberately pro
n, poses to commit greater o11ense l
s. the permanent seizure OF Manchurlf
if the powers will not connive at
re lesser one. in allowing her to make
secret and private agreement wit
China. This plea, it is said, woul
M be laughed out OF any court OF lnte
national law so disingenuous Is IT.
Russia is displeased because Il
powers Ci-ftl y hihNA II I'LL -
he ing the agreement: yet Russia ne
OF self Joined with the other powers
le- Undertaking to avoid any such pl
OF vate arrangement involving the
ne QUESTION of Chinese territory. Ev'
er- if she persists, even if she fore
China to sign the Manchurlan agre
ed ment. there is no obligation up'
Ire the powers, and certainly not up
TT the United States, to whom this HI
ors sian pledge was given, to look up
The it as binding at any point. BY [
10 same reasoning, should Russia, ia
ing to secure an agreement, contln
are in Mauchuria beyond reasonai
an time. there is no obligation upon a
me power to respect her title. and 1t N
led be predicted that this subject
oy- lead to controversy of the gray'
10 character