The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-26
GERMANY WILL NOT
 ANTAGONIZE RUSSIA
Baron Won Sternberg Discusses
 Situation With Mir, Hay
SHE MUST REMAIN NEU TRIAL
Later Developments Indicate That Rus sia Was Never Shown the Text of the oren Door Treaty-Would
 Make Concessions.

Washington, April 25.-The call of Ba- ron von Sternberg at the state depart ment today, while primarily for another purpose, furnished him an opportunity to discuss Russia's action at some length with MT. Hay. From Germany no off feiaI advices have been received, but the understanding in general in the diplomatic corps is that Russia has nothing to appre- hend from Germany in the stand she has taken in Manchuria. Both Count cas- sini and Baron von Sternberg were in Pe- kin together, and both owe their dlplo- matic careers largely to the sagacity they have shown in the handling of the Chl- nese question. Russia and Germany, IL is admitted, have a thorough understand ing relative to China, and while 1t may not be necessary for the Berlin govern ment to come openly to the support Of Russian demands, at this time, the other powers will be permitted to see clearly that Germany is not hostile to Russia plans.
 Germany VIII Be Neutral.
 If asked by the powers to join In a note of protest against Russias conduct Germany's reply will probably be that her interests demand that she remain neutral It can be stated on authority that despite the seeming harmony which existed be- tween Germany and Great Britain in the Venezuelan question, the unpopularity of the Anglo-German alliance became so acute at one time that it looked as II an open rupture would occur. Because of the belief allowed to gain ground in the United States that Germany had pro- posed this alliance, the Berlin government, it is said made representations to Lon don that unless the London authorities corrected this impression, it would be necessary to publish the correspondence on the subject. Another result of the unpopularity of this alliance was the breaking off of Great Britain from the Bagdad railway agreement into which she had entered with Germany and in which France was also heavily inter- ested This again increased the gulf be- tween Germany and Great Britain, at the same time giving Germany and France a common cause for animosity toward Great Britain.
 Russia Is Satisfied.
 Russia has viewed with increasing sat isfacton said a European diplomat to- day, the growing friction between Ger many 'and Great Britain. and if the truth were known, he continued, 1t would be seen she had lost no opportunity to in- | crease this bad feeling. At the same time | Russia is not deslrous of mourning the | animosity of the United States. While | the initial Russian demand in Manchuria ] is that no, more Manchurian ports or | towns be opened there is ground for the belief that the demand will not be per- manent. Great Britain is losing no time in pointing out that the first demand is intended as a slap at the United States. It must be remembered, however, said this diplomat, that Russia was never shown the text of the Chinese-U United | States agreement, in which the latter asks for certain open ports in Manchuria.
 Consequently Russia has no official | knowledge of this agreement. When the United States protests individually as 1t Is expected she will do, Russia will be prepared to make certain concessions to American trade in Manehuria, which is really Americas only vital interest in the | matter This concession will satisfy the United States, thus leaving Great Brit ain and Japan alone in their protest. Ii may be expected that the result of MT Hays note of protest will be intelligent concessions to the United States by Rus sia in Manchuria, which while giving advantages to American trade will stil leave the Russians in possession of thai territory.