Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-21
ACTING TOGETHER.
France Said to Be With Russia
in Chinese Deal.
Has Brbed Kwang 81 officials and Is
Ready With Troops.
Grave international Crisis Pending
Japan on the Alert.

Victoria. b. c., May 20.-Alfred Cum
ningham, manager of the Hong Kong
Daily Press. passenger on the kaga
Maru. which arrived, Tuesday night,
said in an interview here that japanese
journalists do not regard Russia's ac-
ton in Manchuria as surprising or UNI
anticipated.
Mr.. Cunningham says that while at
tention is being maintained in the north
by Russian aggression, matter of far
greater importance to America, Great
Britain and Japan was overlooked in
the south. The report is that of the
aggression of France in the southern
provinces. He was of the opinion that
France and Russia were acting in con-
cert. the former in the north and the
latter in the south. He says France
has bribed the officials of kWang ST
and is waiting the opportunity to pour
troops into that province. The south
of China. said Mr.. Cunningham, is now
on the verge of a far greater interna-
tional crisis than that now on in the
north. although at present the rebellion
in Kwang ST is practically brigandage
on a large scale.
The rebellion in South China he says
is another factor. There is no doubt
but that the reformers have organized
the briSands and a rebellion which will
be far greater than the Tai Ping rebel
lion ever was, will break out befor"
long in south China. Large quantities
Of arms are being shipped to the rebels,
chiefly from the United States and
headed bv the reformerS, movement
will break out rO-foreign in its nature,
to overthrow the Empress DoWager
and rcinstate Wkang ST. He said he
has it on the best information that
movement organized on an immense
scale and including many provinces
which viii have immediate and far
reaching results is liable to break out
at any moment.
Oriental adviccs per steamer Kaga
Maru say:
"A review of the Japanese journals
shows a preponderance of expression
that Russia will never relinquish the
Mdnchurian territory"
The japan Times says it is evident
that Russia. despite denals, means to
maintain her hold on Manchuria even
at the risk of war. Japanese papers
contain the dispatches from many
sources. regarding tnS VIII preparations
of Russia.
The Mainachi has received adViccS
that large forces of Russian troops are
crossing the Yalu river and 10000 Rus
slams are now maSSed there.
The Pekin correspondent of the same
paper quotes the Empress DoWager as
stating that it was Impossible to c"dc
Manchuria. whence came the ancestors
of the dynasty, to Russia, but it might
be advisable to lease Mongolia, which
is contiguous to Siberia providing the
Russians would open the district t"
trade. The correspondent adds that
Prince Ching strongly opposed the En-
press Dowagcr and the Itmpel or did not
support the proposal.
The correspondent says that the Rus
sian authorities bribed all the officials
with the exception of Prince Ching,
prior to the production of the secret
treaty in regard to Manchuria.
The total amount paid out in brides
was over 100000 taels.
The Jill Shimpo has a long interview
with the Russian minister at Pekin
from the correspondent there. He 81 Us
the reason Russia opposes the opening
of Manchuria is that British, Japanese
and Americans, who want to reside
there. have political ends to advance
unconnrct ted with commerce. He says
Russia seeks to prohibit the employ
meut of foreigners in Manchura III
self defence because it is inevitable
that the safety of Manchuria will be
menaced if foreigners go in. Russia
he pointed out. has spent large sums
and sent large forces to develop Man