Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-05-14
UNITED STATES WON'T STAND
FOR RUSSiA'S MOVE.
NEW CHWANG is OCCUPIED
Joint Action by Japan, England and
United States in Protesting Against
Russian Occupation of Manchuria
the Contemplated Program-Situa-
ton now Regarded as Momentous.

! mdllOn from us agents IN emma OF the
increase of the Russian garrison in
New Chwang, Manchuria, and there is
reason to believe, if President Roose-
welt approves, that it is preparing to
take vigorous steps in the matter.
| Secretary Hay is in communication
with President Roosevelt in California
and upon the latter's decision, the sec
retary's course will depend. 1t is
stated that the department has had
| it's patience taxed by the course of
events in Manchuria and that it now
contemplates a more radical step than
any which has heretofore marked the
negotiations between the powers on
this subject.
The proposed setp contemplates
joint action by Japan, England and
the United States.
Preceding negotiations have been
hampered ~ the inability if this gov
eminent to act jointly with other ma
tons without violating its traditions,
| but it is now hinted that some plan
| of cooperation with England and
Japan may be devised which will have
the effect of convincing the Russian
government Of the united determine
ton Of the three nations to insist upon
Russias evacuation of Manchuria
while not actually committing the
United States to a formal alliance.
Accompanying the news of the re-
occupation of New Chwang comes a
warning from our agents in China that
the Russian attitude is injuring the
chances of the treaty which Mr.. Con
| ger and Consul General Goodnow have
been negotiating with China, invOlv-
| ing the opening to American trade of
| the ports Of Taku Shan and Moukden
| in Manchuria. The latest advices are
that the treaty is already practically
| lost owing to Russian opposition. This
fact is construed to give the United
States a direct interest of what is
happening in Manchuria.
Baron Sternberg, the German minis
ter, and Sir Michael Herbert, the Brit
| ish ambassador, both called at the
state department yesterday, and it is
| believed their visits were in some de-
gree connected with the Manchurian
| situation.
WarIike Preparations.
Pekin, May 9.-The Russians, it is
announced, have re-occupied New
Chwang with a large force, and have
also put garrisOns in the forts at the
mouth of the Lao river. They are fur
Their reported to be making extensive
warlike preparations.
A dispatch from an official at New
Chwang says indications point strong
ly to these active preparations being
intended to guard against operations
against the Russians in Manchuria.
Britain Passive.
! London, May 9.-The announcement
| from Pekin that the Russians have
''reoccupied' New Chwang must not
be understood as implying that they
ever fully evacuated the place. The
news is taken here to mean that the
town has been occupied by the force
the withdrawal of which was an
nounced in April when the Russians
said that all the troops except the men
necessary for the police guard had
been removed.
The Russian proceedings at New
Chwang are attributed here to China's
refusal to comply with the demands
which Russia recently submitted.
The Chinese ambassador here, in an
interview, is quoted as saying he has
not received official confirmation of
the Russian action at New Chwang. If
true, he added it means that Russia
will eventually occupy the whole prov
ince. and though China is not prepared
for war, she will probably resent any
attempt to do this.
Japan Getting Mad.
Toxic, May 9.-Although Russia has
navy more than twice as large as
that of Japan, and her land strength is
so much greater that comparison of
numbers would make the japanese to-
tails seem insignificant, the brush"
now pending would be far from lack
ing interest. The Japanese are becom-
ing fighters. However badly she de-
feated the Chinese armies in the late
war, it can scarcely be said that
Japan won a great victory over China
because about half the Chin csc popu-
lation didn't know their country was
at war, and doubtless thousands of
| them haven't heard about it yet.
Yokohoma, May 3.-There are per-
sistent reports in circulation regarding
the movements of Russian troops
along the Yalu river. Detachments
have entered Korea ostensibly to pro-
| tect the Russian timber concessionar-
les, and a large body of Russian troops
| is reported to be approaching Wiju,
Korea. The Japanese government is
protesting against these actions.
China Looks for War.
Pekin, May 9.-Russia's latest ma
neuver is interpreted as being intend
ed as reply to China's refusal to grant
Russia's demand, to protests of pow
ers, and as a declaration that she is
ready to fight in order to maintain pos
session of Manchuria. 1t is considered
significant that the Russian army oc-
cupied certain strategical posts just
about the time the naval reinforce
ments were reaching the gulf Of Pc
Chi Lii. The temporary withdrawal Of
the Russian troops from New Chwang
| is believed to have been feint to
avert suspicion from the contemplated