Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-05-08
AMERICANS RUSSIA
Recent Diplomatic Exchanges
Were What Might Be Called
Rather Sharp.
NOTHING OBSCURE ABOUT EITHER
Text of Two Important Communica-
tions Relative TO the Man
churia Situation.

| Washington, May S.-The state de-
partment has received official con-
firmation from China of the increase
in the Russian garrison in New
| Chwang, Manchuria. There is rea-
son to believe, if President Roosevelt
| approves, the department will take
vigorous steps in the matter. which
contemplates joint action by Japan,
England and the United States, which
Will have the effect of convincing Rus
sia of the determination of the three
nations to insist upon Russia's evacu-
alton of Manchuria, while not actu-
ally committing the United States TO
a formal alliance.
Pelin, May s.-The Russians, it is
announced, have reoccupied New
Chwang with Il large force and have
put garrisons in the forts at the
mouth of the Lao river and are max
ing extensive warlike preparations.
Washington, May SIN the Rus
sian series of diplomatic exchanges in
tie current volume of foreign rela-
tions now in press is given the text of
Il communication addressed by Ambas-
office relative to heannouncement that
China was about to sign an agreement
with the RuSSo-Chinese bank where
by valuable exclusive privileges were
TO be secured by that institution. The
note brought forth the important dec
laration from Count Lamsdorff, min
lister for foreign affairs, that Russia
proposed TO restore Manchuria TO
China, and would recall her troops
from that province. and that there
was no intention to interfere with the
"open door" arrangement Towers note
TO the Russiau minister for foreign af-
fairs follows:
Our Note to the Russians.
''In obedience to instructions which
l have received from the government
of the United States l have the honor
to inform your eXcellency that the
American minister to China has report
ed in telegram recently received at
Washington that Prince Ching has
agreed to sign the Manchurian con-
ventiOn, and also a separate conven-
tion with the Russo Chinese bank. un-
der which exclusive privileges of in
dustrial development in Manchuria are
to be granted to that bank.
Il am instructed to say that the
government Of the United States could
look only with concern upon any agree
ment by which China should extend
to corporate company the exclusive
right within it's territory to open
mines. construct railway and to eX-
aY.F OIL ind fria ix-iIn iS
the belief of the government of the
United States that by permitting or
creating a monopoly of this character
China would cOntravene the treaties
which it has already entered into with
foreign powers and would injure the
rights of American citizens by restrict
ing legitimate trade; also that such
action would lead to the impairment
of Chinese sovereignty and tend to
diminish the ability of China to meet
it's obligations.
Other Powers Might Do Likewise.
"Other powers as well might seek
similar advantages in different parts
of the Chinese empire, and would de-
stroy the policy of equal treatment
of all nations in regard to naviga-
ton and commerce throughout China.
l am further instructed to convey to
your eXcellency the sentiment of the
United States government that the ac-
quiring by any one power of exclusive
privileges I'm China for. its subjects
or its own commerce would be con-
Trajectory to the assurances repeated
ly given by the imperial Russian min
istry for foreign affairs to the United |
int M Russian
government to maintain the policy of |
the open door in China, as that pol |
icy has been advocated by the United |
States and accepted by all the powers |
who have commercial interests within |
the Chinese empire.
Asked to Give One Attention.
81 am to assure you that the gov |
ernment of the United States is now, |
as it has always been heretofore. ami |
mated by the desire to secure for all |
nations entirely equal intercourse with |
China, and 1 am instructed to present |
to your excellency the request that
the imperial Russian government will |
give due attention to the foregoing con- |
siderations. which have also been ad- |
dressed to the Chinese government, and |
TO express to your eXcellency the hope |
that such measures of procedure may |
be adopted as will allay the appre- |
hension of the government of the Unit |
ed States"
REPLY OF COUNT LAMsDORFF