Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-04-29
AMERICANS ARE IN The WAY
Russian Diplomat Quoted as Calling Man
ohurian Residents Hostile to CSar.
WASHINGTON HOLDS MUScoWrE CRAFTY
OhiciRIs Believe Demands Were Never
Formally Made I'm order that Yes
~ ). terday's Withdrawal Could
n Come the Easier.

htbb lOuTudllbJ IndL the JApH anu amer
leans came to Manchuria with an object
and that Russla's attempt to exclude them
was All act of self-defense.
The Russian charge daffaires failed to
understand why Japan was not satisfied
with it's acquisitions in Corea and stretched
out its hand toward Manchuria.
American war vessels are assembling at
Yokohama, supposedly in connection with
the Manchurian situation, while the Japa-
nese and American ministers at Pekin have
formally warned China against the accept
anoe OF the Russian demands.
Japan claims to hold proofs that Admiral
Alexieff is using Chinese hlghwaymen at
Mukden to create disorder. In conclusion
the Daily Mail says the Russian authorities
are buying large quantities Of provisions at
Toxic.
Russia Dropping Demands.
WASHINGTON, April 2s-No response
has come as yet from either Ambassador
Mccormick at st. Petersburg or Minister
Conger at Peking respecting Russias de-
mands
In the absence OF oflcial statements of
Russia's purposes the opinion prevails here
that the Russian demands we're really put
out In tentative form last week and not
In regular official shape, and there Is good
reason to believe that the Chinese govern
ment itself let the demands leak out In
order to secure the support Of the powers
in It's refusal of the Russian tenders.
Noting the intense public excitement over
the proposition the Russian government, 1t
Is surmised took steps through the state
ment issued in st. Petersburg yesterday, to
abandon several of the original demands
1t is not doubted that such reduction Of
the maximum demands was fully within
contemplation when the tentative state
ment was thrown out.
II this assumption is we'll founded Russia
will not further interfere with the con-
summation Of the United States trade treaty
with China. On the other hand, the fourth
demand characterized by the St. Peters,
burg statement, as unimportant, is not so
regarded here, for It amounts to an in
definite continuance, under Russian direc-
tion, Of present conditions In China, which
will stop all reform movements. 1t is now
learned that in the original statement of
this fourth demand, namely, "the present
status of administration of Manchuria is to
remain unchanged" there was an important
| error, as the word Mongolia should take the
place OF Manchuria.
| The demand, as thus modified, maintains
the status quo in all North China.
Cxar'S Minister Goes to China.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 2s-The war
minister, General Kuropatkin, has started
on a special train for China. He will pos
sibly go to Japan. A farewell breakfast
was given in his honor yesterday, Lieu
| tenant Governor Skaharoff has been ap-
pointed minister during his absence.
! The general, who intends to make a
thorough inspection of Manchuria, will be
absent about two months and will visit
Port Arthur Lalny and Vladivostock. AL
though the generals intention to make the
trip was announced publicly some weeks
ago, his departure has excited speculation
in view of recent news from Manchuria.
The marine minister has decided to order
the construction of twenty gunboats for the
protection of the Russian frontier at the
Amur river.
Russia Preparing for War.
VICTORIA, B. c., April 2s.-The Russian
demands regarding Manchuria did not come
as surprise to Japan. According to ad
vices received today by Oansa, Japan had
been preparing for the crisis and dispatches
to Japanese papers from various sections
indicate that Russia has also been making
warlike preparations. Of1cers of Oansa say
that for months large importations OF rice
have been made by Japan and exports for.
hidden. From New Chwang 1t is reported
that 100000 taels have been forwarded Il
Port Arthur TO buy provisions, and from
Nagasah comes the news that Russian
agents have bought up $1,000 tons of Car.
diff coal there and at Chefoo.
AS for the evacuation OF Manchuria, dis
patches to Japanese papers say 1t is ap
parent that Russia had no intention o.
evacuating, although one dispatch says tina
the garrison of Mukden was entrained fo
Port Arthur when a telegram forbade thu
departure and the garrison marched bacl
to barracks. A Picking dispatch OF Apri
IL says the Russian troops In Manchurii
gave some sign of moving when the plani
were changed. Those stationed at New
Chwang were moved a mile further iron
the town and seem to be settling down Il
the new location and making ready for hos
tiltties. Moreover, says a dispatch from
Peking to the Jill, there are telegram
coming to Peking from the points along tn
coast reporting the most suspicious actor
on the part Of Russian warships. The biz
battleships coming to reinforce the Rus
sian squadron in eastern waters, consist
ing Of the 127OO-ton battleship Ectivesen
the cruisers Palada and Diana and five tor
pedo boat destroyers passed Hong Kong Ol
April 1S for Port Arthur.
Another Peking dispatch says that larg
numbers of soldiers are being moved int
Manchuria gaTbed in civilians clothes
! other dispatches tell of the cutting O
government lojes in Manchuria and the In
reference with the cable between Ney
Chwang and Chefoo by Russians.