Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1903-04-28
RUSSIA STRENGTHENS
HER FLEET IN ORIENT
Hay Back Up Demands For
Closure Of Manchuria.
PLEDGE AS TO "opEN DOOR,"

/
Pledged Itself that that Policy Should
Be Maintained but Has Not Yet Full.
| filled Promises.
Washington, April 27.-Official
Washington is startled at the sudden.
ness Of the long-expected disclosures
OF the Russian designs upon China.
That the czar would eventually take
steps to control the great avenues into
the Celestial empire, which he had
contrived to occupy temporarily, has
been an assured fact at the state de-
partment for two years. Three times,
twice in conjunction with other pow
ers, the United States has put check
| against such a course. Three times
the Russian has protested that his oc-
cupation was merely temporary.
Minister Conger has transmitted to
the state department the latest Rus
sian program. Permanent occupation
of ManchuTia with every probability
Of further encroachment to the south
ward and Picking, and a strong what
e-you-going- ng-to-do-about-it?" air to the
document.
The state department maintains its
usual reticent attitude, but officials
have not hesitated to say that the
Russian note is a slap in the face for
American prestige in the Orient
The bureau of intelligence of the
navy department has been busily gath
ering statistics of the relative strength
of Russia and the allies who might op-
pose her Oriental aggressiveness,
which, in a way, answer the question
of what we are going to do about it,
and the war departments bureau of
information has been equally busy.
From the figures thus gathered it
would appear that Russias aggressive
words are more than backed up by mil
itary and naval strength. The Amer
lean fleet is weaker than it has been
for two years. England, Germany
and France have depleted their Asiat-
ic for their Atlantic squadrons be-
cause of the Venezuelan imbroglio.
Only little Japan is in as good a po-
sition to put up an Oriental fight,
whereas the Russians are five times
as strong as when they disclaimed in
tentions on Manchuria three years ago
this summer.
Japan has available over and above
ships necessary for her coast defense
six battleships and six large cruisers;
Great Britain four battleships and six
cruisers of the f1Ist-class; France has
but three and Germany only one ship
of ffrst-class fighting rate, SO that the
present naval strength in the Orient
Is merely nominal. The Russian fleet
in the Chinese and Siberian waters
includes one-half the most effective
ships in her navy, and large torpe-
do feet is on the way. Among the
large ships of over 10000 tons is the
great battleship Retvitzan, recently
launched from Cramps in Philadel-
phia. There are ten cruisers of small.
er size, but large enough to be effec.
tive.
To compare with these monsters
of the sea we have the Kentucky and
Oregon, two good battleships but they
are smaller than the Russian type;
two cruisers, the New Orleans and
Rainbow, and two coast defense ships,
which in case9of trouble would be re-
served for Philippine defense accord.
ing to the navy departments plans.
The Russian government pledged it.
self three times formally, and the doc
uments are Of record, that the "open
door" should be maintained in Man.
churia and Russian troops would be
withdrawn as soon as peace was re.
stored. Finally the promise took the
shape of a treaty stipulation. It was
provided that the evacuation should
take place within three distinct periods
and the last soldier should have quit
Manchuria on the 8th of this month
according to that treaty. But plaus,
ible explanation for a temporary re.
tention Of the remaining Russian
troops was offered by Russia in the
claim that the country was still dis.
turbed and that vigorous military
methods are necessary in the interest
of sanitation.
The government of the United
States has recorded it's ideas of what
should be done in Manchuria, but it
is probable that a further remon.
STRANGE will be added. 1t is expected
that Russia will, for the time being
at least, allay foreign opposition, OF
at least that of the United States, by
carrying out its pledge as to the "open
door"
There will be no additional treaty
ports in Manchuria If Russia succeeds
in this last move. New Chwang, how.
ever, is still a treaty port, and until
Russia makes a further move of ap.
plying her customs system to that
port United States products may en-.
ter there at the same uniform rate of
3 per cent duty as is collected in the
southern Chinese ports.