Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-25
This Country to Keep From
Alliances.
WILL MAKE PROTEST
STATE DEPARTMENT HAS HEARD
FROM THE PRESIDENT.
Conference of Japanese Minister and
German Envoy With Secretary Hay
Regarding Manchusia.

The Japanese minister, Mr.. Takahira,
and Baron Won Sternburg, the German en-
voy both called upon Secretary Hay To-Day
and it is believed that the latest Manchu-
rian question was discussed Secretary
Hay has no advices yet from st. Peters-
burg or London, but it is expected that ne
will very shortly hear from the latter cap
ital through the ambassador here THESE
conferences and exchanges are all prehm-
mary to the preparation of protest "mcn
is to be made against the Russian demands,
but it is not yet clear what form it will
take The protest, however, must be d1-
rected not to Russia. but to China. which
will be warned that the other nations which
sign the protest will not look with favor
upon any action by China that will ALLEVIATE
any Chinese territory or will confer any
special advantage upon one nation (mean-
ing Russa) over the others.
The tone of the press advices from the
European capitals printed this morning
has done much to depreSS those officials
who have labored so long to preserve the
integrity of China. 1t begins to appear to
them that Manchuria is hopelessly lost to
China, and the best that can be done now
is to save as much as possible from the
wreck, and therefore the effort will prob
ably be made to wiring from Russia a bind
ing promise that the powers will not be en-
tirely deprived of the right to exploit Man
churia commercially. 1t may be possible
to secure the opening of one or two ports.
such as was proposed in the pending
treaty between China and the United
amended in view of these last develop
ments. The fear is expressed that the Rus
sian movement will be copied by other ma
tions, and that Germany will proceed to
extend her sphere of influence in the Shan
tung peninsula. while France will overlap
the borders of Tonquin and "Russianize' a
considerable part Of south China.
Will Not Join General Protest,
Having heard from the President Secre-
tary Hay is now in a position to act re-
specting the Manchurian matter Indeed
he has already taken the first steps, though
for obvious reasons 1t is not deemed well
to indicate their precise nature However
the broad statement is made that the De-
partment of State is doing what 1t regards
as necessary to meet the case, in other
words, action is begun. 1t is made quite
plain. however. to avoid a misunderstand-
ing of dispatches from foreign capitals re-
ferring to the United States that this gov
ernment will join in no general protest
against Russian action. The State Depart
ment policy is so clearly defined in such
matters, the officials assume that it will
be understood that whatever action the
United States takes will be individual. 1t
is true that that action will probably run
in concurrence with the action of other
powers. but there will be no entangling al
liances between the United States and those
powers.
Diplomats Await Developments.
Diplomatic circles are anxiously awaiting
developments in the latest Chinese situa-
ton. AS stated yesterday, 1t is confidently
powers that Great Britain and Japan will
act in harmony with the United States in
whatever representations are made to
China not to accede to the latest Russian
demands. The action this government will
take is also awaited with interest by the
representative of the powers.
1t was pointed out in one quarter that it
would make but little difference whether
China accepted or rejected the Russian
terms for the evacuation of Manchuria, the
explanation being that if China refused to
agree to the terms Russia would continue
the occupation of Manchuria as now. and
that if China accepted Russia would get
what she sought, so that the status of the
situation in Manchuria would be practically
the same in either event.
In another diplomatic quarter the opinion
was expressed that Russia is asking more
of China than she really hopes to obtain.
and will be satisfied with the acceptance OF
modified terms. .,...
stood in diplomatic circles, 1ustifies her
course In Manchuria on the ground that
Manchuria is embraced within her sDhere OF
influence in China, and that 1t is wholly
within her right to impose certain condi-
tions before withdrawing from Manchuria
that her interests there may be safe
guarded.
There is no apprehension among the rep
resentatives Of the powers that the Man
churian affair will lead to anything beyond
diplomatic exchanges.
At the embassies of the British, German,
Russia and French governments it is said
naS S1in al a11rio hna rir,er ON, Mnyr
churian affairs have been received from the
foreign offices of their respective govern
mentS.
The Russian Ambassadors Assurance.
In the absence of anything official from
his government the Russian ambassador
In note to Secretary Hay, announced that
nothing inimcal to the United States was
projected in Russia's course relative to
Manchuria.
Germany's Attitude.
Keen interest has been aroused here by
the apparent acquiescence of Germany in
all that Russia demanded regarding Man.
churia The call of Baron Won Sternberg
at the State Department while primarily
for another purpose furnished him the OPP
portunity to discuss Russia's aggression
at some length with Mr. Hay. From Ger
many no official advices have been received
either at the State Department or her en-
bassy regarding the attitude OF Berlin,
but the understanding is general in the
diplomatic corps that Russia has nothing
to apprehend from Germany in the stand
taken in Manchuria.
Both Count Cassini and Baron Won Stern
burg We're in Pekin together and both owe
their diplomatic advancement largely to
the sagacity they showed in the handling
of the Chinese question.
Russia and Germany, it Is admitted, have
a thorough understanding relative to China
and while it may not be necessary for the
Berlin government to come openly to the
support of the Russian demands at this
time, the other powers will be permitted to
understand clearly that such under
standing exists.
If asked by the powers to join note of
protest at Russia's conduct. Germanys re-
ply will proba bly, be that her interests de-
mand that she remain neutral at this time.
1t can be stated on authority that despite
the seeming harmony which existed be-