The Press., 1903-05-14
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washington, May II, 1903.
The most sensational and, In the light
Of subsequent information, unreliable re-
ports have recently been received from
Russia and China regarding the action Of
the former country In Manchuria. On
Friday and Saturday report to the effect
that Russia had reoccnpied Niu Chwang
was received and was interpreted as In
dicating that that country was violating
all of her treaty pledges, and preparing
to establish absolute suzerainty over the
province Of Manchuria. More recent in
formation reveals the fact that the fret
report was entirely erroneous and that
Russia has not reoccupied Manchuria.
Just what has taken place connot be as
certained as yet, but it Is regarded az
most doubtful II there Is any occasion for
the alleged anxiety and apprehension re.
garding Russia's intensions. Count Cas-
sini, the Russian Ambassador In Wash
ington, assures Secretary Hay that his
country has no intention Of violating
the open door policy or obstructing the
freedom of trade In China.
Russia has extensive interests In Man.
churia, has expended hundreds of thou
sands of dollars In railroads and improve
ments In the province, and is regarded by
conservative statement as warranted In
taking such measures as may prove nec-
essary to protect her interests. Those
very inerests have, however, excited the
envy of other European powers, and out
of that and q wealth Of prevarication
grows the sensational aspect put upon
the situation by the first reports received
In this country. The state department is
prepared to view the whole matter In the
most conservative light, and will calmly
await trustworthy information before tax
ing any action whatever. The joint pro-
test, which 1t Is alleged was to be made
by the United States, Great Britain and
Japan, has not even been contemplated By
the secretary of state.
Z, It is impossible to predict with any cer-a
tainty the outcome OF the present situa-
tion. In some quarters it is believed that
the time has come for the virtual, II not
nominal partition Of China, and that Rus
siass action will be met by the other pow
ers with demand that they be permitted
to establish over other sections of China
the same sort of suzerainty that Russia
insists on In Manchuria. Japan is the
country most affected, as 1t controlled 80
per cent of the trade Of Manchuria, and
reports from Toxic are to the effect that
the most active preparations for war are
being made. That japan should attempt
to drive Russia out of Manchuria by force
Of arms and unaided is Incredible, but 1t
Is believed In some quarters that the
little nation will receive the assistance OF
Great Britain, and 1t is alleged that
the latter is actively engaged In trying
to secure a pledge from the United
States that this country will join In the
attempt to force Russia to remain within
her borders.
The most important development in
the post office situation has just occurred
1t consists Of the indefinite suspension Of
A. w. Machen, general superintendent of
the division of free delivery and the ap-
pointment, as his temporary successor, of
Mr. N. G. Fosnes, the expert inspector
who took charge In Cuba when the fraud
ulent practices of Rathbons and others
were discovered. Machen has from the
first been the official against whom were
brought the gravest charges and who was
most feared because Of his powerful po-
litical backing. His removal comes as a
result Of an urgent request of Fourth AS
sistant Postmaster General Bristow, who
asserts that the inspection Of the depart
ment will be carried on with greater IA
cility and more satisfactorily in Machen's
absence. Ii the report Of MIR. Bristow is
ever made public it will reveal the most
appalling condition of affairs to have ex-
listed for many years In the post-ofice de-
partment, but SO many prominent and re-
spected men are involved In Mr.. Bris-
tow's discoveries that It is a matter of
gravest doubt II any report other than an
expurgated edition will be given to the
public.
The officials Of the treasury departm. mt
have just rendered dicision which is re-
ceived with the greatest interest. 1t Is
to the effect that DR." Crum, appointed
by President Roosevelt collector Of the
port of Charles, b. c., cannot draw any
remuneration for his services under the
law. This Is due to the fact that Crum's
nomination was sent to the senate and
that body failed to confirm 1t, In fact,
practically voted on one occasion to re-
port unfavolably on 1t. It will be remem-
bered that there was manifest desire on
the part Of the senate to avoid meeting
the issue squarely, although the presi-
dent sent In the nomination during the
regular and the special sessions. Having
been virtually rejected by the senate, the
treasury department has decided that 1t
cannot regard the Crum nomination as Q
recess appointment, and only special
act Of congress win secure for him the
fees for the time he has served, while he
win be entitled to no emolument until he
has been confirmed BY the senate, most
unlikely prospect.
Considerable apprehension has been
caused to the officials Of the post Office:
department by the holding up OF q negro
carrier on rurual mail delivery route in
Tennessee, the men being warned that
the people would not permit any negro to