The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-05-07
MANcHURIA A RICH PRIZE.
Country which Russia Covets Empire
within Itself.

within Itself.
The New York World SAYS: Man
churia, the rich country which the
Russians invaded, and which they
would have annexed early In 1901 had
not the United States given China the
moral support which emboldened her
TO refuse TO sign away her northern
province, is four times as large as
Great Britain. In extent II is nearly
equal TO that part of the United States
between the Atlantic ocean and the
Mississippi river north of Mason and
Divon's line.
The population is about onc-third of
that of the whole United States. The
country is exceedingly fertile. and Is
known to be extremely rich in miner
ais.
The Russian railway was the open
ing wedge of the Muscovite In con.
necticn with the Trans-Siberian rail-
way 1t will open not only all Manchu-
ria. but all OF eastern Siberia as well.
The extreme southern end of the Man
churian district is Port Arthur, the
seaport granted to the Russians for a
terminus for their railroad by the Chi
ncse.
In August, 1895, a few Russian sol.
diers went to Port Arthur under the
row treaty. Before the close of 1899.
164 miles of railway had been built to
the north. The railroad runs through
$50 miles of the most fertile land in
the world.
Having taken such q foothold in
Manchuria, Russia has fought silent
ly but forcefully against getting out.
and diplomatists have seen for long
time that 1t would take force to make
her withdraw.
The rebellion in China. with the in
vasion by the troops of Europe and
the United States. gave Russia her
opportunity to seize upon Manchuria
towns and garrison them with her
troops until she controlled the big
province. japan, unhappy at the re-
suit of her war with China, Russia
having forbidden her to keep the fruits
of victory, looked on this invasion of
the east with angry eyes.
Russia demanded that China cede to
her the province of Manchuria and
provided a secret treaty for the Chin
ese to sign. II was admitted by other
nations that the signing of the treaty
would lead to the gravest complica-
tions, probably to the partition of the
Chinese empire and possibly war be-
tween Japan and Russia in regard to
the kingdom of Corea. China appeal
ed to the United States and then re-
fused to sign the treaty.
The Car then gave what was re-
garded as an official explanation of his
position on April 8. 1901. as follows:
while the Russian government
maintains its present organization
(army) in. Manchuria to preserve order
in the vicinity of the broad frontiers
Of Russia, and remains faithful to its
original and oft-repeated political pro-
gram, 1t will quietly await the further
course of events"
This explanation followed Secre-
tary Hays famous note to the Europ-
can powers and Japan, saying:
1T would be unwise and dangerous
in the extreme for China to make any
arrangement or to consider any propo-
sition of private nature involving the
surrender Of territory or financial OBJ
legations by convention with any parti-
cular power"
The note continued that. "the gov
ernment of the United States desires to
express its sense OF the impropriety,
inexpendiency and even extreme dan
ger TO the interest of China of con-
sidering any private territorial or fin
ancial arrangements, at least without
the full knowledge and approval of all
the powers now engaged in negotia-
ton"
Russia has held on ever since,
though denying any intention of force
until carly in the present year, when
the Russian minister to China inform
ed the Chinese that the Russian gov
ernment refused to amend the Man
churian treaty, and unless the treaty
was concluded Immediately would
break OFF negotiations with China and
maintain her occupation of Manchuria