Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-24
Washington View of Russia's
Latest Demauds.
PLEDGE Thru GIVEN
HAD PROMISED AN OPEN DOOR"
TO NANCE
Now Proposes to E1zcLBie Foreigners
From This Cou1.eI. oiobable.-

Minister Conger, from Picking. has called
to Secretary Hay synopsis of the de-
mands made upon China by Russia re-
specting the control Of Manchuria. This
account agrees precisely with the full and
accurate press report from the Chinese cap
ital of Russias latest coup. Secretary Hay
will take no action in the matter until he
has communicated the facts to the Presi-
dent and has learned the wishes of the lat
ter.
he present impression here Is that the
Russian action is a distinct breach of faith
with the United States, The Russian gov
eminent pledged itself three times formally
and the documents are of record. that the
''open door should be maintained in Man.
churia. and that the Russian troops would
be withdrawn as soon as peace was re-
stored. Finally the latter promise took the
shape of treaty stipulation. 1t was pro-
vided that the evacuation should take place
within three distinct periods. The last Rus
sian soldier should have quit Manchuria on
the Sth of this month according to that
treaty. But explanation for temporary
retention of the remaining Russian troops
was offered by that government on the
ground that the country was still disturbed
and some vigorous military methods were
necessary in the interest of sanitation.
Will Not War With Russia.
1t is announced that the United States
will not go to war with Russia over this in
cident, unpleasant as 1t Is. 1t has recorded
its ideas of what should be done in Man.
churia, and as the result of Secretary Hays
projected conference with the President 1t
is probable that a further remonstrance
will be added. But 1t Is anticipated that
Russia will for the time being at least allay
OF Loo hot nf a
United States. by carrying out it's pledge
as to the open door. There will be no addi-
tional treaty ports in Manchuria If Russia
succeeds in this latest move. New Chwang.
however Is still a treaty port and until
Russia makes further move of applying
her custom systems to that port. United
States products may still enter there at the
same uniform rate of per cent duty as
they pay in the southern Chinese ports
In Preparation for Years.
An official of the government. well in
formed in regard to Chinese affairs, says
that the step taken by Russia is one for
which she has been preparing for a number
of years While 1t Is extraordinary. he
says that there seems no way of preventing
the contamination of the movement. Japan
is in no position to dispute the action, and
even with the assistance of England 1t is
doubtful in his opinion whether the action
of Russia could be changed. As to the In
doubtful whether the United States
could look with favor upon the far greater
control of the Pacific ocean which the new
move would give Russia. He had no doubt
that Russia would eventually apply the
Russian tariff to the new territory. in which
case the United States would endeslvor to
sell them the raw materials for their mills
instead of furnishing the finished products
which now go to that part OF China.
The Development of Manchuria.
He further pointed out the great develop
ment which has been made by Russia in
Manchuria during the past few years, and
especially in the last eight months. I'M
mense sums of money have been spent in
building railroads. bridges and other works
TO improve transportation routes and build
up industries.
This is especially the case at Dalny. the
port about forty miles from Port Arthur,
which has not only been greatly improved
leased territory which was discussed in
correspondence between the United States
and Russian governments in 1899 Among
the important developments in Manchuria
by the Russians he mentioned the building
of branch lines of railroad In every direc
ton When Russia made the lease for
twenty-five years of certain ports of China
assurances were given Ambassador Hitch
cock that the open door would be main
tained. To make that more emphatic Sec
rotary Hay. September 6. addressed a let
70 the categorical assurances given his pre-
dccessor by Russia when the leases were
made by that country of the ports of Port
Arthur. Ta-lien-wan and the adjacent ter
r1tory in the Lioa-tung peninsula.
Assurances by Russia.
on December IS. 1899, Count Mouravieff
replied to Mr.. Hays note saving that the
imperial government had demonstrated it's
firm intention to follow the policy of 1.-The
open door" In the same note the count
said that as to other territory the fixing
o. duties belong to China itself, and "the
imperial government has no intention of
claiming privileges for it's own subjects to
the exclusion of other foreigners" The
count said: The imperial government Is
happy to have complied with the wishes
of The American government"
Russian Fleet in the Orient.
Silently but surely Russia has been
;.massinS a force In eastern waters. pre-
paratory to the enactment OF her coup
detat. until today her fleet on the Asiatic
station numbers forty-two vessels.
In addition. her ally. France today has a
fleet of thirty-one vessels In the Asatic
waters, and in Indian and Cochin China
waters are twenty other vessels which can
he depended upon to go to Russia's assist
ance.
Great Brtain's feet on the Aslatic sta
tlon at last accounts numbers thirty-seven
formidable vessels and that of Germany
seventeen men-of-war.
The Kentucky and Oregon are the only
american battle ships on the Asi sta
uoa, SGt they are supported by twenty-four
othc- vessels. including two monitors and
so'3e small gunboats for use in Philippine
waters. Japan has a strong naval force,
which may be counted on to resist Russia's
expressions.
NOT 0EETCTArrv rH,roDxrr-