The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-01
THE RUSSIAN STATEMENT
Government Is "Grieved'' at the United
81" So States Protest.

Government Is '.G1TlSvSO az lie ShIsSN
States Protest.
New York Sun Special Service.
St. Petersburg, May lit can be as
serted upon the highest authority that the
Russian government is deeply mortified
that the United States government Should,
in view Of the extremely friendly. relations
existing between the two countries, be the
one to single itself out among the nations
to make a protest against Russia's sup
posed conduct in Manchuria and the gov
eminent can only imagine that the United
States was driven into such a position by
the intrigues of some of Russia's enemies.
The same source authorizes this state
ment:
Russia is firmly decided upon the evac-
uation of Manchuria, and the evacuation
is now taking place. There have been UNI
avoidable delays owing to the number of
men. Fifty battalions Of soldiers are not
merchandise and you must find some
where to place them The minister Of war
started yesterday to still further hurry
the evacuation. No country but the
United States has protested, and 1t is
most painful that the country in which
Russia reposed such complete faith should
act thus. The document Plancon. the Sec
rotary of the legation at, Picking, may
have drawn up can be nothing but skele-
ton for pourparlours in the future and is
not sanctioned by the Russian government,
nor are even its contents known here.
IN. Lessar, the Russian minister to
| Picking, is now here receiving instructions
as to what. shall be done regards the
assuring Of peace after the Russian evac-
uation.
Russia has given formal promises to
| America and proposes carrying out the
same to the letter. Far from being anx-
ious to close the door upon American
trade in Manchuria, Russia is anxious to
give every possible opening, and only two
days ago at a council the minister OF
finance made a special point of this and
hoped that American capital would be at.
tracted d
1.-THE Guerin and -Mukden districts arc
already evacuated and in four months
more all the southern portion of Man.
churia will be likewise evacuated.
Russia refuses to submit to dictation
as to her conduct, BUTTS; quite willing,
in a friendly way, to explain it, as she
has nothing to hide and is doing nothing
beyond that which comes within he1
1 rights. ~
"The United States ambassador visited
the foreign office, not to enter a protest
as possible enemies of this country vii
say, but just to have a friendly confer.
ence which gave full satisfaction.
ut is significant that the British am
bassador did not call, his government evi
IDENTIFY having no questions to ask st
Petersburg"
The head Of the Russian legation at Pc
king said to-day that Russia desired t,
6 rule Manchuria for the benefit OF all, ant
this interference Of the powers would b.
4 certain to have the effect OF continuing tn
occupation Of that territory and postpon
ing the negotiations indefinitely, las tn
military party was determined and wa
, not amenable to diplomacy
Il The Russian officials argue that III
proof exists that foreign trade requires ad
ditional consuls in Manchuria, that thes
officers in the absence of any consular du
ties would become obnoxious to the Rus
sian administration there. The meanin
of all this is clear. 1t is that the absolut
control OF Manchuria has been determine
upon by the Irresistible Russian party
! This has lately been accumulated by tn
discharge Of the English sanitary physi
Clan at New Chwang agains tthe protes
4 of Sir Robert Hart the imperial commits
: sioner of Chinese maritime customs, whic
was confirmed to day.
It is reported here that only boats bear
8 ing the Russian flag will be allowed t
J, ascend the Yalu river.
x NJ. Uchida, the Japanese minister
Y China, and w. B. Townley, the Births
;. charge d'affaires, had an interview on TIL
i IPrince Ching, the head of the Chimes
FL foreign office to-day. Prince Ching as
! serted that the Russian demands com
: prised eight points
8 1t looks as If the situation could b
solved in two ways. either by war or til
t consent of the powers to Russian posses
D sion of the disputed territory in lieu q
/ perpetual, open, unfampered trade. Th
latter is regarded as the last resort b
t which the powers can quit the contentio
4 | creditably.
Il N. uchida acknowledges that there