The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-18
MANCHURIA A PRIZE.
Four Times Larger Than Great Britain
and Rich I'm All Minerals.
New York World.

New York World.
Manchuria, 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 sup
port which emboldened her to refuse to
sign away her northern province, is four
times as large as Great Britain. In ex-
tent it is nearly equal to that part of
the United States between the Atlantic
ocean and the Mississippi river north of
Mason & Dixon line.
The population is about one-third of that
of the whole United States. The country
is exceedingly fertile and is known to be
extremely rich in minerals.
The Russian railway was the opening
wedge of the Muscovite. In connection
with the Trans-siberian Railway it will
open not only all Manchuria, but all of
eastern Siberia as well. The extreme
southern end of the Manchurian district
is Port Arthur. the seaport granted to the
Russians for a terminus for their railroad
by the Chinese.
In August, 1898, a few Russian soldiers
went to Port Arthur under the new treaty.
way had been built 10 the north. The rail-
road runs through $50 miles OF the most
fertile land IN the world.
Having taken such a foothold in Man
churia, Russia has fought silently but
forcefully against getting out, and diplo-
matists have seen for a long time that Il
would take force to make her withdraw.
The rebellion in China. with the invasion
by the troops of Europe and the United
States, gave Russia her opportunity to
seize upon Manchurian towns and garrison
them with her troops until she controlled
the big province. Japan, unhappy at the
result OF her war with China. Russia hav-
ing forbidden her TO keep the fruits of vic
tory, 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 Chinese to sign. 1t
was admitted by the other nations that the
signing Of the treaty would lead TO the
gravest complications, probably to the par
tition of the Chinese empire and possibly
TO war between Japan and Russia in re-
gard TO the kingdom Of Korea. China ap-
pealed TO the United States, and then re-
fused to sign the treaty.
The Car then gave what was regarded
as an official explanation of his position on
April 3, 1901, as follows:
While the Russian government main
tains it's present organization (army) In
M~anchuria TO preserve order in the vicinity
of the broad frontiers of Russia, and re-
mains faithful to its original and oft-re-
peated political. programme, IL will quietly
await the further course Of events"
This explanation followed Secretary
Hays famous note to the European pow
ers and Japan, saying:
1T would be unwise and dangerous in
the extreme for China to make any ar
rangement or to consider any proposition
of q private nature involving the surrender
of territory or financial obligations by con-
VentiOn with any particular power"
The note continued that the government
of the United States desires 10 express its
sense of the improperly, inexpediency and
even extreme danger to the interest of
China of considering any private territorial
or financial arrangements at least without
the full knowledge and approval Of all the
powers now engaged in negotiation"
Russia has held on ever since, though de-
nying any intention Of force until early in
the present year, when the Russian min
lister TO China informed the Chinese that
the Russian government refused to amend
the Manchurian treaty. and unless the
treaty was concluded Immediately would
break off negotiations with China and
maintain her occupation Of Manchuria.