The Washington times., 1903-05-09
State Department Officials
Deeply Chagrined Over
the Cars Reoccupation
of Manchuria.
Secretary Hay Seeks lnfor-
nation From China-NoW
in Communication With
American Ambassadors.

United States upon Russia's reoccupa-
tion of Manchuria. 1t is not believed thai
it can take a more vigorous form than
note of protest Identical with that sent
by the other powers, Great Brita n and
Japan
This principle has been enunciatcd so
often and at times when an alliance with
other nations would have proved so
much more valuable than at present that
it is inconceivable that anything will
be done which in the remotest way
would seem TO violate the constitutional
prohibition.
Officials Chagrined.
AT present the feeling of Secretary
Hay and the other officials of the State
Department is one of deep chagrin. Al
though they have been accepting the
assurances of evacuation made by Rus.
sia. it has always been with a. SOM
it has been apparent they entertained
great hopes that in the end Russia would
prove as good as her word.
So strong has this feeling grown since
the recent diplomatic exchange on the
subject. that it is said on good authority
Secretary Hay then expressed his re-
gret TO Count Cassini that he had been
led by misinformation TO even make in
quiry of Russia's purpose in Manchuria.
Undoubtedly Mr.. Hay now regrets it, for
yesterday he received from Minister
Conger. in Pekin. his original inform
ant on the Manchuria demands, a dis
patch giving details of the move at Niu-
ehwang.
Government official, discussing this
matter, calls attention to the fact that
when John Hay wrote
There arc three classes of creatures,
When they seem coming are going:
When they seem going they come:
Diplomats, women, and crabs,
he was not then Secretary of State.
Were he to write the lines today he
would. beyond question make the last
line read: Diplomats, Russian and
Slav''
Awaits Word From China
Meanwhile, despite the chagrin, Sec
retary Hay is seeking for information
from China, and at the same time put
President and with the American am
bassadors in London. Tokyo, and St
Petersburg.
During the day most important dis
patches are expected to arrive, as in
formal inquiries will be made at each
o. these capitals. and here at home
there will be visits al the State Depart
ment from all of the foreign representa-
tiyes concerned. and even from many
whose countries are not directly con
cerned.
AT no time has action by the United
States been awaited by other powers
with more interest for it is felt all
over the world that the course of this
country will decide the most important
question in the Orient which has sought
solution in a century, and will affect
the political geography of Asia for al
time TO come.
Not Alone Commercial Interest.
The interest of the United States in
the question is not alone commercial
1t is true that treaty with China
opening to American trade the ports o1
Takusan and Moukan has been under
consideration for some time. with the
hope that its negotiations would prove
advantageous to American merchants in
fighting Russian competition in north
ern China. which yearly grows more Sc
rious. and that continued occupation o.
Manchuria by Russian troops would pre-
vent the consummation of the treaty Oh
even its successful operation, but dip.
lomats here ASSERT that more i'm
portant question is involved. and tha
IS the extent 10 which one great power
may safely deceive another.
The japanese minister. Mr.. Takahira
was the first diplomatic visitor at tht
State Department today. remaining II
conference with Secretary Hay for some
tine He said he had received no ad
vice from the home government.