New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-13
AMERICAN RIGHTS IN MANCHURIA.

The report Of Russian order for the expul-
sion and exclusion of all foreigners save Rus-
slams from Manchuria is not yet either con-
firrned or denied officially, but ii seems 10 be
pretty generally accepted as true and the ante
cedent probabilities are that it is true There
have been many ntimations hitherto that Rus
STA has been contemplating precisely such a
move. Nearly all her propositions to China con-
corning Mancburian affairs have been paSeu
upon the principle Of Russian monopoly OF that
part of the empire 1t viii be pertinent to con-
sider what such monopoly would mean. and
what its bearings would be upon American
treaty rights and commercial interests.
The alleged order of the Russian envoy at
Picking is by some optimistcally interpreted
10 mean merely that the British in the employ
of the Chinese Imperial Customs Service are 10
be turned out, that Russia can conduct her
overland trade with China on whatever terms
she pleases regardless of the tariff relations be-
tween China and the rest of the world. If that
were all it would still be an unpleasant order.
That IL would have such an end in view is Sug-
gested by concident circumstances. Hitherto
the Imperial Customs Service has dealt with
only maritime trade. But within the last few
weeks the Chinese Government has agreed to
extend and apply it on the land frontiers to
overland trade as well. 1t would be signifi-
should come this Russian order. which will prac-
ticaIIv debar such operation of the service FROM
Nauchuria and from the Russo Chinese frontier.
Justice and treaty rights would seem TO require
that Chinese customs laws and administration
be uniform toward all nations. On that ground
alone therefore. this Russian order would be
regarded with grave concern.
1t will not escape the observation of the ju-
dicious, however. that the order would, If exc
cuted mean a great deal more than that; or
that it would be capable of effecting more. Its
terms are not discriminating. They apply TO
all foreigners alike, TO Americans as well as to
Englishmen, and to traders and prospectors as
well as to custom house officials 1t must be
borne in mind that Manchuria is the very part
of China in which the United States is most in
terested, with which It's trade is greatest and in
/ which its investments largest The expul
sion and exclusion of Americans from those
provinces would therefore mean serious blow
10 American commerce with China. such a blow
as it would be impossible to regard with COM
/ placency. Nor would the matter be mended by
! the pretence that the exclusion Of foreigners
| was merely temporary measure during Rus
sian military occupation of the provinces. In
| that case the order should have been made long
ago. at the beginning Of such occupation, IN
| stead Of now, at what should be the end of it.
For Russia IN April last pledged nerSeli 10 DeSln
| the evacuation Of Manchuria a province at
time In six months: that now, instead of
| driving out American merchants, she ought TO
| be taking out her own soldiers.
| In the Treaty of Trade, Consuls and Emtgra-
| ton, concluded between the United States and
China on July 4, 1868, in Article VI, it is pro-
| yided that citizens of the United States visit
! s'ing or residing in China shall enjoy the same
| privileges, immunities or exemptions in re-
| "spect to travel or residence as may there be
| enjoyed by the citizens subjects of the most
| favored nation" That treaty was negotiated
! by William Henry Seward and Arson Burlin-
| game and was ratified by the Senate OF the
| United States. 1t has never been abrogat ed,
but is still in force. Ii meant precisely what IL
| said. and it means just that to-day. 1t means
| that Americans have just as good right 10
| travel or to reside in the Chinese Empire as
| Russians or any other foreigners have and the
continuance of that right depends solely upon
| the mutual convention of China and the United
States and not upon the word of Russia or any
| other third party OF course, if the Chinese
| Empire has been parttioned, and Manchuria
| has been ceded to Russia, the case Is altered
| But the world has not yet been Informed or any
| such change of sovereignty So long as Man
| churia remains a part of the Chinese Empire
| that treaty. of 1863 must be held to apply 10 It
| inst as TO all other parts of the empire