Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-09


been removed to another port and his
post given to d young Russian.
| When the Tosa Maru left the Russian
squadron was busily preparing for ma
val maneuvres. which were to COM
mence. May TO- The vessels which had
just arrived to reinforce the fleet and Il
| portion of the Russian volunteer fleet
was to take part, the aggregate dis
placement of the squadron being about
13O, 900 tons. The final sham lighting
is to take place near TsuShima straits
and after the maneuvreS the squadron
will be divided into two sections, one
going to Port Arthur and the other to
NladiVoStock.
Washington, May S.-The state de-
partr2ent has received official confirm
iation from its agents in China Of the
increase of the Russian garrison in
New Chwang. Manchuria. and there is
reason TO believe, if President Roose-
Welt approves that the department is
preparing to take vigorous steps in the
matter. Secretary Hay is in commune
cation with President Roosevelt in
California, and upon the lattcr's de-
cision the Secrctary'S course Will de-
pend. 1t is stated that the department
has had it's patience taxed by the course
of events in ManchuIia and that now
it cOntemplateS Il more radical step
than has heretofore marked the nego-
tiationS between the powers on this
subject.
The proposed step COntcmplates joint
action by Japan, England and tn"
United States. Preceding negotiations
have been hampored by the inability of
the United States to act jointly with
other nations without violating it's ira
ditions, but it is now limited that some
plan Of cooperation with England and
ia pan may be devised which will have
the effect of convincing the Russian
government of the united determina-
ton of the three nations to insist upon
RusSia's evacuation of Manchuria while
not actually committing the United
states TO n formal alliance. This pro-
gram is subject to the approval of the
President. If it is not looked upon
with favor by him the state depart
ment may fall back upon its former
method of individual representation to
Russia and ask another explanation of
the happenings in Manchuria.
In such event the Russian answer is
already forecasted by the officials here.
Under the Russian representations to
the powers, the troops were to have
been withdrawn from New ChWan9 just
one month ago today.
1t is understood, as n matter Of fact, |
that some portion of the Russian force
was withdrawn from the barracks |
in the city to outside. 1t is presumed !
from Pekin advices that these TROOPS ,
have now returned to the city. How
ever, it is pointed out that Russia en- |
ployed saving clause in the promise to |
withdraw from Manchuria, the Ian |
guage being provided however, that
the action Of other powers shall rot |
stand in the way Russia, it is under
stood, now claims that this proviso was
violated by Japan when she modified |
her feet a2d otherwise showed signs Of J
military preparations which were con-
Strued rs Il menace to Russia.
Accompanying the news of rC-occupa-
ton of New Chwang comes warning |
from our agents in China that the Rus !
sian attitude is injuring the chance of
the treaty which Mr.. Conger and Con-
sui General GOodnOW have been nego-
tiatinG with China, involving the OPEN
ing OF tFilu" III ports litku, Nhdil ana
Moukden. in Manchuria. The latest
adNices are that the treaty is already |
lost. owing to Russia's OPP
position. This fact is construed to give
the United States government direct
interest in what is happening in Man
churia
Baron Won Sternburg. the German
and Sir Michael Herbert, the
British ambassador, both called at.thc
state department, today. 1t was be
leved that their visits were in some de
gree connected with the Manchurian