New-York tribune., 1903-04-26
GERMANY NEUTRAL.
Has an Understanding zcith Russia
an Regard to China.

Washington. April 25.-The call OF Baron Won
Sternburg at the State Department to-day, While
primarily for another purpose gave him an op-
nortunitv to discuss Russia's action at some
length with Secretary Hay. No official advlces
have been received from Germany. either at the
State Department or at the Embassy. regarding
the attitude of the Berlin government, but the
understanding is general in the diplomatic corps
that Russia has nothing to apprehend from
Germany in the stand she has taken IN
Manchuria Count Cassini aQd Baron Won
Sternburg were in Peking together, and poth
owe their diplomatic careers largely 10 the
capacity thev have shown in the handling of
the Chinese question. Russia and Germany IL
is admitted have a thorough understanding rel
alive 10 China and, While it may not be neces-
sarv for the Berlin government to come openly
To the support of the Russian at this time the
other powers will be permitted to see clearly
that Germany is not hostile to Russia's plans
ANGLO-GERMAN ILL FEELING.
If asked by the powers to Join in note or
protest against Russia's conduct, Germany's re-
ply will probably be that her interests demand
that she remain neutral It be said on au-
tbority that despite the seeming harmony
which existed between German ny and Great
Britain in the Venezuelan imbroglio. the un-
popularity of the Anglo-German alliance be
came so acute at time that 1t looked as IL
an open rupture would occur. Because or the
belief allowed to gain ground in the United
States that Germany had proposed this alliance
the Berlin government it is said. made repre-
sentations TO London that unless the London
authorities corrected this impression. it would
be necessary to publish the correspondence on
the subject. Another result of the unpopularity
of this alliance was the breaking away of Great
Britain from the Bagdad Railway agreement
into which she had entered with Germany, and
in which France also heavily interested
This again increased the gulf between Germany
and Great Britain, at the same time giving Ger
many and France a common cause for animos-
ity toward Great Britain.
Prussia has viewed with increasing satisfac-
ton" said a European diplomat to-day ''the
growing friction between Germany and Great
Britain. and If the truth were known il would
be seen that she has lost no opportunity to in
crease this bad feeling. At the same time. Rus
sia is not desirous of incurring the animosity of
the United states. While the initial Russian
demand In Manchuria is that no more Manchu-
rian ports or town be opened. there is ground
for the belief that this demand will not be per-
r,anent Great Britain is naturally losing no
time In pointing out that the first demand is in
tended as a slap at the United States 1t must
he rerner hered, however. that Russia was never
shown the text of the Chnese-United States
agreement in which the latter asks for certain
open ports in Manchuria. Consequently Russia
has no official knowledge of this agreement.
.ewben the United States protests individually.
as II Is expected she will do. Russia will be
prepared TO make certain concessions to Amer
lean trade in Manchurta. which is really Amer
ica's only vital interest in the matter This
concession will satisfy the United States, thus
leaving Great Britain and Japan alone in their
protest. Russia and the United States have