The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-10
RUSSIA BLOCKS OUR TREATY.
CHINA WILLING TO OPEN MAN.
CRURgAN PORTS,
But suspends Treaty Negotiations Because
Russia Objected to Opening the Ports
to American Trade-Basls OF the Adj
ministrati0n's Accusation That Rus
STA 10 Employing Unfriendly Methods.

STA Id Employing Unfriendly Methods.
WASHINGTON, July p.-The basis for
the accusation Of RussaaAs unfriendliness
toward the United States. which was con-
tanned in the unofficial statement" Of July
/. understood TO have been prepared at
Oyster Bay and given out here as coming
from the State Department. was COM
munication from the Chinese Treaty Com
missioners at Shanghai that Russia had
objected to an arrangement between China
and the United States for the opening Of
Manchuriap ports to American trade until
she had completed arrangements for the
evacuation" Of Manchurian territory.
This communication marked the sus-
pension OF the treaty negotiations. as the
Chinese Commissioners said that in view
of Russia's attitude they could not consider
the question of opening ports. The Chinese
Government assured the United States Of
its earnest desire to accede to the wishes
OF this Government to open Manchurian
ports, but it felt obliged to defer that matter
on account OF the coerCive course of Russia.
This information was obtained to-day
from an absolutely trust worthy source.
and while II was not furnished as a justifica-
ton Of the action OF the Administ ration in
issuing a statement to the press accusing
Russia Of employing methods the reverse
Of friendly to the United States It was
made evident that there is practically
unanimous opinion on the part of the Ad
ministration that, barring tho method
employed to give 1t publicity, the accusa
ton was absolutely Just.
Practically nothing has been done by the
American commissioners AZ Shanghai since
the Chinese commissioners declined to
give further consideration to the open
port question. The Chinese commits
sioners did propose that the treaty be con-
cluded without provision for opening
Manchurian ports to American trade,
leaving that matter to he determined
through subsequent negotiations, but tn
American commissioners declined to agree
TO this They maintained that the treaty
could not be completed until provisions
for the opening Of ports was included.
This occurred a fortnight ago, and since
then the negotiations have been at a stand
still.
The Russian Government is pledged to
evacuate Manchuria by Oct. 8, 1908, pro-
vided the attitude of other Powers Is not
an obstacle thereto. 1t may be necessary
for the United States Government to wait
until Oct. before renewing the negotiations
with China. The fear Is expressed here,
however, that when the time for evacuation
comes Russia will claim that the attitude
of Japan and perhaps England is so merac-
ing that she must retain her troops on
Manchurian soil. There are indications
that Russia has already begun systematic
effort to show that Japan and England
are displaying threatening policy.
Opinion in official circles is pretty general
that when the time Set for the evacuation
approaches. Russia will demand from
Japan and England, and perhaps from other
Powers, pledges in writing that they will
not attempt to secure the upper hand in
Manchuria when the ports Of that country
are declared free. and will recognize that
the province is within the sphere of Russian
interest. 1t Is doubtful that such pledges
or assurances will be furnished. Should
Russia make demand Of that character,
a crisis in her relations with England and
Japan will, it Is thought, be sure to follow.