The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1903-04-30
Contends That the "Open Door
is Not a Commercial But
aPolitieal Question.
OUR INTERESTS TO Be PROTECTED
A Trade Agreement OF Some Sor
Between the United States and
Russia VIII BE Reached.
An Hours Conference Between IN,
Russian Ambassador and seere-
tsry Of State Hay Was Held
Sunday Afternoon.

Washington. April 25.-The Unites
States government will make a vigoI .
Gus protest through the proper dipio /
matte channels against Russia's de I
mands upon China for the practical 70 7
tention by Russia Of the proytnce o I
Manchuria At the state department T
this step by the cars country is re
garded as a breach Of faith and an az F.
tack upon the American intention OF
maintaining the integrity OF Chins
which was announced more than twt
years ago.
The Russian demands were contain I
ed in notification sent 90 Prince
Ching, president OF the Chinese for
eign Office. by NJ. plausou. Russian
charge aanaires At Pednr. He stated
that no further steps would be taken
toward the evacuation OF Nanchuria
until these demands were acce6ed %
Washington. April 2T-Russia's de-
hands In Mancauria and their effect
on American interests wcre the suh.
jcct OF a conference Sunday afternoon
between Secretary Hay and Count
Cassini. the Russian Ambassador
which occurred az Secretary Hays
house and lasted for nearly an hour
II is denied that the ambassador
brought official advIccs from his gov.
crnmont. hut the fact that ho is san
suffering from an attack of lumhago
which has confined him to the embassy
for several weeks is evidence OF the
urgency OF the call
steps already have been taken hv
the state department 90 ascertain the
true inwardncss of Russlas latest
move. Ambassador Mccormick. at ST.
Petersburg. has been Instructed by
cable to present to tho Russian for
oisn office a note which while dInio.
maiically known as one of inquiry. is
IN substance q strong protest against
Russias demands. Cahicd instuc-
tions also have been sent 90 Minister
Conger at Picking 90 express to the
Chinese authorities the aUsfaction
oi the United States with Russia's de-
mands and our hope that China Will
not acccde 10 thcm. NO answers have
yet been received 90 either note.
though unofficial assurances are suu
reaching the department that Amcrl-
can interests in Manchuria viii boz pro-
toctcd In the departments note.
which Ambassador Mccormick prob
ably has presented. Russias attention
IS called 90 thc assurances which re-
peaiodly have been givou the United
I States relative TO tho preservation Of
, the integrity of China and the CON
[ tinuaucc of the open door policy. Rus
sia also is reminded Of the severe
blow 20 American trade which must
follow the granting Of the FIRST two
demands. that no more ports or towns
+ In Manchuria be opened and that no
additional foreign consula be ad
mittod.
Russia's reason for contonding for a
i closed door In Manchuria Is the claim
that the open door Is not a commercial
but a political question. She contIn.
YES 10 assure the United States that
IN some way this country's interests
win be protected in Manchuria Tho
point IS made that as the Manchurian
/ demands are stiu in negotiation be
tween St Petersburg and peklng the
United States can not expect that Rus
sia make concessions until the fate O.
her demands has been determined
When China has acceded TO all OF
these demands IL is suggested that a
trade agreement Of somc sort can be
reached between tais country and Rus
sia which viii protect our trade inter
ests.
Appreciating the fact that the inter
ests Of this country in Manchuria are
those Of trade and not territory. Rus
sia. it is stated. is disposed 70 max,
certain trade concessions TO the Unit
ed States in Manchuria at the proper
time