The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-04-29
The SEIZURE OF MAHGRURIL.
Statement Sent Out From Wash
ingtaH.
RUSSIA BREAKS AGREEMENTS.

~eS~s~05 -
Japan Expected to Unite in a
ForcibIe Protest to China And
Russia. q
Washington, April 24.-Minister
Conger, from Pekin, has cable to
Secretary Hay a synopsis Of the de-
mands made upon China by Russia re-
specting control of Manchuria. This
account agrees precisely with the full
and accurate press report of Russia's
last coup from the Chinese Capital.
Secretary Hay will take no action
in the matter until he has COM
municated to the President and has
learned the latter's wishes.
The present impression here is that
the Russian action is distinct breach
of faith with the United States. The
Russian Government pledged itself
three times formally, and the docu-
ments are on record, that the open
door, should be maintained in Man.
churia, and that the Russian troops
would be withdrawn as soon as peace
was restored. Finally the latter
promise took the shape of treaty
stipulation. It was provided that the
evacuation should take place within
three distinct periods. The last Rus
sian soldier should have quit Man
churia on the Sth of this month ac-
cording to that treaty. But plausible
explanation for temporary retention
of the remaining Russian troops was
offered by Russia in the claim that the
country was still disturbed, and that
vigorous military methods were neces-
sary in the interest of sanitation.
Officials declare there is no danger Of
war with Russia over the incident.
The Government Of the United States
has recorded its ideas of what should
be done in Manchuria, and as the
result of Secretary Hays projected
conference With the President it is
probably that further remonstrance
will be added. But it is anticipated
that Russia will, for the time being at
least, allay foreign opposition, or at
least that of the United States, by
carrying out its pledge as to the 'open
door, There will be no additional
treaty ports in Manchuria if Russia
succeeds in this last move. New
Chwang, however. is still treaty
port, and, until Russia makes furth-
er move of applying her customs sys-
tenn to that port. United States pro-
ducts may enter there at the same uni
form rate of 5 per cent duty as are col
lected in the Southern Chinese ports.
The dispatches from Pekin announc--
ing the terms which Russia has named
to China for the carrying out OF the
Manchurian agreement were read
with deep concern in diplomatic circles
today. While the diplomats are not
disposed, for obvious reasons, to pub,
licly comment on them, it is expected
that at least the United States, Great
Britain and Japan will join In hrn
note to the Chinese Government, IN
sisting that China do not agree to the
conditions which Russia seeks to I'M
pose. 1t is rather expected in dip
iomatic quarters that the United
States will take the initiative, be-
cause of the prompt action taken by
Secretary Hay on one other occasion
when Russia sought to secure an
agreement with China, which was
held by this and other Powers to be
inimical to their interests. The in
terests of the Umted States, Great
Britain and Japan IN Manchurla are
such, it is said, to bring those coon-
tries closely together in this matter.
Another reason which leads at least
some of the diplomats to think that
the United States will move hrst IN
the matter of representations to China
to withhold acquiescence to the Rus
sian terms is that Russia has made,
as one of the conditions precedent to
fine evacuation of New Chwang and
the two southern provinces OF Man
churia. the condition that there shall
he no treaty ports in Manchuria where
as the draft of the ney commercial
treaty between the United States ana
China provides for the opening OF
Mukden and Taku-Shan as treaty
ports.
sador. said concerning the announce
nent in the dispatches from Pekln
relative to conditions which Russia
has named to China:
II have not yet received official
news, and in consequnce cannot dis
cuss the points mentioned in the dis
patches. I can say, generally speak,
Inc, however, that it is only natural
that Russia, before evacuating Man
churia, should take measures to pre-.
vent a repetition of the troubles OF
1900, as we'll as to insure IL that
country her political influence, which
was never contested, owing to its
geographical position
. In answer to questions as to how the
nroDosed terms named in the dispatch
from Pekin would affect American
trade interests in lManchuria, the
ambassador, repeating that he could
NOT discuss the details of the terms
mentioned in the dispatches, since ne
had not been officially advised of them,
said: -, 49,.
Given on different occasions relative to
the security of American trade interests
in Manchuria continue IN full force,
and could not be otherwise con-
ctr1,e6 -