Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-06-18

Writing from Tientsin the special
correspondent OF the Standard pens the
following scathing remarks on Russian
action in Manchuria:
When she started the Siberian rail-
way, and afterwards, while she was
gradually increasing her sway in Man.
churia, Russia was at some pains to
lay stress on the great work OF civil
ization she had undertaken. 1t is, how
ever, TO be feared that China can give
Russia in Manchuria several points in
the matter OF official honesty. Where
the Chinese squeeze one dollar the Rus
SLAMS are squeezing thousands. The
wholesale robbery Of Government funds
going on along the railway, and at Port
Arthur and Ta-lien-wan, is absolutely
appalling. Long lists OF officials with
large salaries appear in the return who
have no existence: steamers are chart
cred to bring coal to Port Arthur which
never sailed any sea but In the lively
imagination OF a few officials into
| whose pockets disappear the payments
ostensibly made for them; and so no.
torious are these practices becoming
that other nations are nnding II abso-
lutely impossible TO do any business
with Port Arthur at all. / am per-
sonally acquainted with Frenchmen, of
not too fastidious business principles,
no dealings with the Russians. even
when offered the most alluring induce
ments.
Under such circumstances. II is plain
that Russia's "civilizing' influence Is a
somewhat hollow fiction. AS for her
ability to maintain peace, that hardly
rests on any sounder basis. All the
trouble from brigandage outside the
wall at Shan-kai-kwan has entirely
ceased since Russia's withdrawal from
the railway between that place and
/ Newchwang. and the country there is
now as quiet as 1t always was. In
many parts OF Manchuria we are con-
tinually hearing OF trouble with bril-
gands, which seldom or ever occurred
before. A certain number of rascals
have always haunted the wilder hilly
districts, and always will do 50; and
these bands are quick to take advant'
age OF the Russian prohibition against
the Chinese bearing arms, and they
consequently raid defenceless villages
and carry off the gentry for ransom
So universal and extensive has thii
prohibition been that the supply o
game in Tientsin has been very shor
this season, owing to the Chinese no
being able to exploit their usual hunt
ing grounds.
In Newchwang 1t is confidently ex
pected that the Russians will Withdraw
, on April 8, but no secret is made b,
. their officers. in social intercourse, o
the expectation that they will be bacl
there within three years. The order
! are for all troops to be withdraw
, from Manchuria, with the exception o
$1,000 to guard the railway" The res
will be retired Just beyond the horde
line The 10000 men would, OF course
be an ample force to meet any and al
; possible opposition by the unarme
: Chinese. The conduct of Russian OF
: ficials, whose time is mainly occupie
with women and vodka, is such tina
the Chinese are rapidly developing
contempt for them which may lead to
recklessness that will bring with 1t
terrible retribution. But II Russia re
, peats the story Of Blagoyestchenc
very often. her plea Of civilization wi
speedily be worn threadbare. In evaC
, uating Newchwang, | hear, the Rus
SLAMS are trying to work In certai