The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-04-27
UNITED STATES IS ACTIVE
INWARDNESS OF THE RUSSIAN
 MANCHURIAN DEMANDS.


 Parfment to Ascertain What the Czar'i
 Government is Up to-A Strong Protes
 -Instauctious CabIed to the AmerI.
 can Ambassador.
 Washington, April 26.-Russia's de. mands in Manchuria and their effect or American interests were the subject oi conference this afternoon between Secretary Hay and Count Cassini the Russian ambassador, which occurred at Secretary Hays house and lasted fol nearly an hour. It is denied that the ambassador brought official advices from his government, but the fact that he is still suffering from an attack of lumbago, which has confined him to the embassy for several weeks, is evidence of the urgency of the call.
 Steps already have been taken by the state department to ascertain the true tnwardness of Russia's latest move Ambassador Mccormick, at St. Peters burg, has been instructed by cable tC present to the Russian foreign office a note which, while automatically known as one of inquiry, is, in substance, a strong protest against Russia's de- ulands. Cabled instructions also have been sent to Minister Conger at Pekin to express to the Chinese authorities the dissatisfaction of the United States with Russia's demands and our hope that China will not accede to them. No answers have yet been received to eith- CT note, though unofficial assurances are still reaching the department that American interests in Manchuria will be protected,
 In the department S note which Am bassor Mccormick probably has pre- scented already Russta's attention Is called to the assurances which repeat edly have been given the United States relative to the preservation of the tn- tegrity of China and the continuance of the open-door policy. Russia is also reminded of the severe blow to Amer tcan trade which must follow the grant ing of the first two demands-that no more ports or towns in Manchuria be opened and that no additional foreign consuls be admitted.
 Russia's reason for contending for the closed door in Manchuria is the claim 
 rnercial but a political question. She continues to assure the United States that in some way this country's inter ests will be protected in Manchuria. The point is made that, as the Manchu- rian demands are still in negotiation between St. Petersburg and Pekin, the United States cannot expect that Rus sia will make concessions until the fate of her demands has been determined. When China has acceded to all of those demands it is suggested that trade agreement of some sort can be reached between this country and Russia which will protect our trade interests.
 Appreeiating the fact that the inter- ests of this country in Manchuria are those of trade and not territory, Russia, it is stated, is disposed to make certain trade concessions to the United States in Manchuria at the proper time.
 Shanghai, April 26.-A mass meeting has been projected to be held here to- morrow. Chinese from all the prov inces will be present and will urge the government to make no concessions to Russia concerning Manchuria.
 It is reported among Chinese officials here that Japan has made formal de- mand upon Russia that Manchurla De evacuated forthwith.
 A Russian gunboat left here to-day F for New Chwang.
 London, April 27.--In a dispatch from St. Petersburg dated Saturday, April 70 +he correspondent of the Daily Mai says he hears from an authoritative source that China has accepted the Rus sian proposal to modify the existing Russian Chinese commercial treaty ir so far as it regards the duties at the late boundaries. After the negotiations with the Tsung-li- Yamen, the core spondent continues, the Russian minis ter formulated the following conditions;
 F'irst-The importation of Chinese arms into Manchuria shall be taxed ac- cording to the discretion of the Russian customs authorities and China shal agree to construct at Kalgan, manu. factury to supply material for the pro- jected Russo-Chinese railroad to Pekin which will pass in the vicinity of Kal- gan.
 Second-China shall establish ir tLIdFuy dH dQI1llnISCrdLlVe DOuy IOE ILe purpose of insuring the rights vested ir the gold mines which are now being worked by Russian engineers.
 Third-All Russian goods sent to cen tral China shall be entirely free of any Chinese customs charges.
 Fourth--Russia and China shall joint iy agree henceforth to close the door in Manchuria to the goods of all powers.
 This agreement, concludes the corre- spondent, will come into force after the opening of the Manchurian railroad it shows plainly, says the representative of the Daily Mail the intention to make Manchuria Russian province.
 London, April 27-The Times corre- spondent at Pekin says that he has as- certained that the fourth demand in the Russian document in the Manchu- rian affair." namely, that the present status of the administration of Man churia is to remain unchanged, does not apply to Manchuria, but is a de- mand that the administration of Mon- golia shall not be changed. The ob- ject of this demand is to check the suggested alteration in the government of Mongolia by which it was contem- plated to transform Mongolia into a Chinese province.