The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-22
CHINO-AMERICAN TREATY.
Russians Object 10 Article IL of the
Commercial Agreement.


ST. PETERSBURG, Oct. 21-The Novy-
krai. of Port Arthur. commenting on the
commercial treaty between the United
States and China, declares that Article
II (opening ports in Manchuria to
United States trade) strikes at the
very heart of Russian interests in
Manchuria. and says it is convinced the
treaty will only be ratified after material
notifications, as it affects part of the terri
tory which. by virtue of existing relations.
is not free so long as Russia has not def
nitely come to understanding with China
regarding her rights. Moreover" the
Novykrai adds, prior TO her present occu-
patton. Russia had special treaty relations
with China regarding this territory. giving
her the right to build railways and guaran-
teeing that no similar privileges will be
granted 10 others"
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2l.-The full text of
Article II of the commercial treaty between
the United States and China, referred to i'm
the foregoing dispatch. follows: 1.-THE Chi
nese government having in 1890 opened the
navigable inland waters OF the empire TO
commerce and all steam vessels-native or
foreign-that may be registered for the pur-
pose or conveyance OF passengers and law
ful merchandise, IL Is now agreed by the
Chinese government that such commerce Is
opened To the vessels of every type belong
Ing TO the citizens, firms and corporations of
Nthe United States, and that they may freely
engage In IL on equal terms with those
granted TO the subjects of China or anv
power having relations with China. China
further agrees To foster all such intercourse
and commerce by the adoption of such rules
and regulations in addition to those already
In force as shall promote the end in view"~
The State Department officials are dis
posed 10 attach little credence to the renorts
that come from the far East of a purpose
OF the part or Russia TO defeat the operation
or the new treaty between the United
States and China. far as IL relates To the
opening OF ports in Manchuria to our com
merce. 1t Is pointed out that the reports
come In roundabout way from sources
which are probably inspired by desire TO
cause friction between the United States
and Russia AS an act of courtesy. and i'm
view of Russia's considerable Manchurian
! interests, draft of this treaty before sig
MATURE. was unofficially submitted 10 the
Russian agents in China and by them COM
punicated with the Russian Foreign OF
Ice. Through entirely reliable channels tho
United States was assured that the treaty
Tas not objectionable to Russia. With the
complications then existing in southern Eu-
rope engaging her attention, i'm addition to
the Manchurian and Korean problems II is
understood that Russia was very glad TO
come To terms with the United States on a
basis that did not involve the sacrifice of
any Of Russia's political aspirations as to
Manchuria.
The United States government IL entirely
satisfied that the Chinese treaty when rati-
fed by the United States Senate will secure
the objects aimed at, namely, the opening
or Manchurlan ports TO American commerce
on even terms with Russian commerce.
Even assuming that the Russian agent.
Lessar. and the Chinese Foreign Office con-
cluded secret treaty before the consumma-
tion OF the Chinese American treaty, as re-
ported. I'm view of the fact that Russia made
no objection 20 the latter convention the
United States government would certainly
hold that IL was not impaired by any pre-
ceding secret agreement. Ii follows that the
government would not regard any subsc-
Quent convention between Russia and China
as sufficient 10 invalidate any treaty In reg
ular form with China the unquestioned
suzerain OF Manehuria at the date OF its
conclusion.