The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-09
Relations Between the Two Govern
ments Are Strained and an Open
Rupture Is Feared.
Details Of the Russian Reoccupation
of Niu-chuang Are Alarm
ingly Meager.
Russia Said to Have $4,000 Troops
Along the Niu-chuang-Pcrt
Arthur Railroad.
New York Sun Special Service.

New York Sun Special Service.
Washington, May 9.-Coming almost
after the renewed assertions of the Rus
sian government of an honest intention
to seek no permanent foothold in Man
churia, the news that Russian troops had
reoccupied the open port of Niu-chuans
came as a shock to those officials or the
Washington administration concerned IN
Chinese affairs. Not that the doubts as
to Russia's purposes had been d1ss1pated
by her recent professions, but 1t was not
expected or even surmised that the great
European power would at such an early
day so boldly brave the displeasure OF
England, Japan and the United States
by what is regarded as a violation OF the
treaty with China for the evacuation Of
Manchuria and the virtual pledges to this
government that Russia had no lnten-
ton to abandon the principle of the open
door, endanser the territorial integrity
of the Chinese empire or seek or assume
exclusive privileges in the rich province
to which Niu chuang is the entrance for
the commerce of the world.
Secretary Hay, to whom the news of
Russia's action was of the most Intimate
concern and on whom fell the RESPONSE
bility of outlining the course of the United
States with all that such a course might
mean In the way of changes in the rela
ton of nations now friends, felt that he
could not act in such serious matter
without the authority of President Roose-
welt He did not hesitate, however, to
telegraph to the president in California
his views to what attitude should be
adopted and while the details of the
American policy outlined by him are not
disclosed enough Is known to Justify the
assertion that while caution will be ex
ercised at first the representations to be
made ultimately to Russia will be more
vigorous than those which marked the
two previous periods when the Russian
governments intentions concerning Man
churia were regarded with deep sus-
picion.
Dispatches from Conger and Miller.
In deciding upon his course in this SUI
premely important matter Mr.. Hay, had
ample incentive In dispatches received
from Mr.. Conger, the United States min
lister at Picking, and Mr.. Miller, our con-
sui at Niu-chuarg. Both these messages,
while confirming the public intelligence
that the Russian troops had returned to
Niu-chuang and had also occupied two
forts at the south of the Lao river where
Nin-c huang is situated, contained addi-
tional inform ton of the greatest interest.
The ostensibe reason for the reoccupa-
ton of the Manchurian port Is that Rus
sia's railway interests in the province must
!. be guarded, and it is claimed that the
armed men who have taken poss ession
Z of the place are not soldiers but merely
-.
4 learned also that Japan's attitude is sc
menacing that the cars government felt
impelled to protect it's great interest in
Manchuria by the reoccupation. AS fol
the railway guards, it is asserted how
seriously it is impossible to say. that the
only difference between them and the Rus
sian soldiery lies in the color of theil
shoulder knots.
~ Troops Number $4,000.
T. It is asserted also that there is reason
:, to. believe that the state department has
7 the Information that $4,000 Russian sol
ders are occupying the length of the rail
way between Niu-chuang and Port Ar
thur, the Chinese port which Russia ha:
promised to evacuate.
It Is yet too early to expect the United
States to join England and Japan in col
lective diplomatic action against Russia
but that such course, radically differen
as 1T would be from the traditional polio,
of this government to enter into foreign
alliance to purpose any course tina
might be construed as implying an ALI
ance. may ultimately develop from tn
present situation Is regarded as not be
You'd the bounds of possibility In fac
that much Is vaguely limited.
"a Japan's Position.
Count Cassini, the Russian ambassador
had nothing to say to-day in regard to tn
action of his government except that il
reoccupying Niu- chuang 1t must have ha
good and serious reasons which he di
not know. While Mr.. Takahira, the Jap
anese minister regards the action of Rus
STA as significant. he. too, was unwilling
to talk at such a. serious moment. Upo
Japan, it is generally agreed, depends tn
continuance of peace in the far east. Flo
o. long time the island kingdom has ex
pected just such a situation as now pre-
sents itself and has been preparing quietl
Her intelligence officers have visited ever
part of Manchuria gathering informatio
that would be Of assistance to their gov
eminent in the event of war. while q
home she has been getting ready fc
what-if it should cOme-will be the great
est struggle in her history. Her great fea
Is that once in firm possession of Mar
churia, Russia will attempt to extend he
sway over Korea. and this Japan woul
not permit without fight 1t is admitte
to be within the bounds of probability thu
to offset the Russian reoccupation of Nit
chuang japan may seize Korea and ho
1t as her own declining to surrender DO.
session until the Russians compel her
do SO by force Of arms or the adiacel
Chinese province is evacuated by tt
cars troops.
The Briton's Part
To what extent Japan may expect to d,
pend upon English assistance in proven
ing Russian aggression is a matter NJ
known outside of London and Toxic, b,
the terms Of the English Japanese trea
of alliance concluded on Jan. so, 1902. a
regarded as necessarily compelling En-,
land to furnish assistance to her far cas-
ern friend should the latter become II
volved in a conflict with Russia alen
But should France or any other pow
Join Russia in warning on Japan, Il
English government would be compell
by the alliance treaty to come to Japar
assistance.
1t developed to-day that China hi
promised Russia that Manchuria sfou
not be alienated to any other power.
this promise the Russians have the has
of a claim of being privileged in TAXI
measures to prevent the province fro
coming under the control of Japan or a
single nation or combination of nations
s Japanese Minister uniformed.
Washington. May 9.--Mr. Taxa hira, t
Japanese minister had long intervi
with Secretary Hay at the state depa1
nent to-day. He manifested deep co
Germ over the Manchurian situation b
declared that the legation was without
fetal advices, in the absence of which
did not care to discuss the matter. The