Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1903-05-01
OPPOSE RUSSIA IN CHINA.
GOVERNMENT AT WASHINGTON
NOT PLEASED At SITUATION,
Ambassador at St. Petersburg Ordered
to Enter Protest Against Partition
by Russia From China OF the East.
ern Part of Observation-Disclosures
Conqer Asks Chinese to Hold Out.

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Washington, April 27.-Russia's pc.
sition in Manchuria does not at all
please the administration at Washing
ton, if Mondays events serve as guide
to temper of Americans.
The American ambassador at st.
Petersburg has been instructed to pre-
sent note of protest against the par
tition by Russia from China of the east
territory of Manchuria.
Minister Conger at Pekin has been
instructed to inform the Chinese to
hold out against demands of Russia.
Russia's demands in Manchuria and
their effect on American interests were
the subject of conference this after.
noon between Secretary Hay and
Count Cassini, the Russian ambassa-
dor, that occurred at Secretary Hays
house and lasted for nearly an hour.
II is denied that the ambassador
brought official advices from his gov
eminent. but the fact that he is still
suffering from an attack of lumbago
which has confined him to the embassy
for several weeks Is evidence of the
urgency Of the call.
Steps already have been taken by
the state department to ascertain the
true inwardness Of Russia's latest
move. Ambassador Mccormick. at St.
Petersburg, has been instructed by
cable to present to the Russian for
eign office a note, which. while dipio-
matically known as one Of inquiry. is
In substance strong protest against
Russia's demands. Cabled instruc-
lions also have been sent to Minister
Conger, at Pekfn, to express to the
Chinese authorities the dissatisfaction
Of the United States with Russia's
demands and our hope that China will
not accede to them. No answers
have yet been received to either note,
though unofficial assurances are still
reaching the department that Ameri-
can interests In Manchuria will be pro.
tected. In the departments note,
which Ambassador Mccormick has
presented already, Russias attention
Is called to the assurances which have
been given the United States relative
to the preservation of the integrity
Of China and the continuance Of the
open door policy. Russia also Is re-
minded Of the severe blow to Ameri-
can trade that must follow the grant
Ing of the first two demands: that no
more ports or towns In Manchuria be
opened and that no additional foreign
consuls be admitted.
Russia's Contention.
Russia's reason for contending for
the closed door In Manchuria is the
,laim that the open door is not
commercial. but a political question.
She continues to assure the United
States that in some way this country's
interest will be protected in Man
churia. The point is made that as the
Manchurian demands are still In, ne
COLLATION. between st. Petersburg and
Pekin, the United States can not ex-
pect tnat Russia will make conces-
sions until the fate of her demands
has been determined. When China
has acceded to all OF these demands.
1t is suggested that trade agreement
Of some sort can be reached between
this country and Russia which will
protect our trade interests.
Approaching the fact that the inter-
ests Of this country in Manchuria are
those of trade and not territory. Rus
STA, it is stated, Is disposed to make
certain trade concessions to the United
States in Manchuria at the proper
time
Even those Chinese newspapers
which previously have been moderate
In tone now join in the opinion that
the time has come for all powers in
terested In the prosperity Of China and
her development Of trade opportuni-
ties, to show firm front to Russia in
the matter OF her demands upon Man
churia.