The St. Louis Republic., 1901-03-28
Japan Approves China's Re-
fusal to Sign MdnChu-
rian Treaty.
IS READY FOR A FIGHT.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Washington. March 21-The greatest nn-
easiness prevails III official circles over '"e
crisis in the Far East. China having re-
fused TO sign the Manchurian convention IL
is UP to Russia TO use force.
But Japan is ready to meet any movement
of the kind and has the moral support o'
Great Britain. Italy and the United States
rhe State Department is awaiting aaV'ces
anXiously as to the actual facts OF emma
rejection of the Russian proposal.
Ofticais regard the recall of japanese
army officers in this country as highly sig
niticant. and all private advices here show
the Mikado's people are feverishly ready ior
a conflict with Russia. All japanese army
officers in this city have been recalled to
Japan.
III locks very much as though Japan were
preparing TO fisht." said Cabinet member
this morning. She might just as We'll make
up her mind to so it alone.
Not u nation will come to her assistance.
Piucky and progressive as the japanese
are, it Is almost foregon conclusion that
they will lcse if war comes with Russia.
Even though the Car is now menaced by
desperate and disaffected thousands in his
cwn country, he can still bring his imperial
troops and hordes OF Cossack fighting men
TO swallow UP any army the Japanese could
bring against him.
"Ens'and's people are sick of boodshed
and the waste of treasure. and IL 1 were
to make guess on the situation / would
say that Great Britain must be prodded
much nearer home than in China to per-
sIade her to send her battleships against
Russia"
Advised of Trenty's Rejection.
Mr. kogor Takahira. the Japanese Min
hnf hn n.l
dispatch announcing the issuance by the
chinese Emperor of an official decree pro-
hibitins the signature of the Manchurian
available and the representations made by
China to Russia are ascertained. the extent
of the diplomatic victory achieved by Japan
will not be known.
Though Russia has threatened to break off
diplomatic relations with China in case the
Celestial Government declined to sign
opinion that Russia will deem it expedient
to continue to participate in the negotiations
IN progress IN Pekin and will await more
favorable opportunity to press her claims
upon the Chinese Government.
The decision of the Chinese Government
is a surprise to the administration which
had expected it to sign. but it developed to-
more or less strongly indicated their disap-
proval of the Russian convention.
japan will not be satisfied with the SIM
pie fact of the rejection Of the convention
The rejection must be coupled with the ur-
derstandins that new treaty will not be
negotiated
The State Department understands that
the Powers feel that even the negotiation
by Russia of the Manchurian convention
frees them from the obligations they in
CURED TO preserve China's integrity and
they will now take such measures for the
protection of their interests as may seem
to them advisable.
EnElnnd's Protest to China.
Washington. March "a dispatch was
received here Wednesday from one of the
foreign Offices to its representative stating
that the British Government had made a
protest against Chiua's negotiating con-
vention with any Power touching terri
torial or financial affairs until the present
troubles in China are settled
The Russian agreement is not specifically
referred to. but, it is stated. the British
action is clearly directed against that
agreement