The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-11
RUSSIAN ATTITUDE IN
THE FAR EAST DEFINED
Statement by Authority of the Dis
interested Motives of the I'M
perial Government.
AMERICAN TRADE SAFE
Under Russian Dominance in
Manchuria-Will Not Sub
NIT to Any Dictation.
AMERICAN TRADE SAFE

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1o.-By an author
ity conversant with Russia's position in
the far East and her attitude toward Amer
lean interests there, the Associated Press
to-day was given this statement:
I'm view of the wide circulation given
reports without basis in fact charging Rus
sia with hostility TO American interests in
the far East, it seems expedient that the
attitude of Russia should be again de-
fined.
Russia has repeatedly expressed her in
tention of assisting the development of
commercial interests in Manchuria, know
ing that the Chinese policy of the United
States government is guided merely by
aim to develop trade and not by political
ambition. Russia has shown her good
faith by refraining from any action which
would endanger the conclusion of the Amer
ican-Chinese commercial treaty signed on
Oct. s. That treaty has been ratified by
the throne at Peking and thus, through the
medium of the United States, the important
ports OF Mukden and Antung in Man
churia, opened to the commerce of the
world. This is the open door which has
been a part of American and Russian
policy since the Boxer outrages, which
necessitated the intervention of the powers
and which materially changed conditions
in Manchuria.
RUSSIA WILL NOT SUBMIT.
Russia will certainly not submit to die
tation at the hands of any power as to
the protection of her legitimate interests
in Manchuria. Negotiations are in progress
between st. Petersburg and Picking in the
effort to reach an agreement adequately
protecting the special or predominant in
fluence exercised by Russia in Manchuria
and which has been recognized by all the
powers signatory to the peace protocol
verbally or In writing At the time of the
signing OF that convention ii was Rus
sia's hope that she could with safety with
draw her forces from Manchuria last Oc-
tooer and leave the protection of her in
terests to China. In the meantime, how
ever. il was clearly demonstrated that the
guarantees offered by China wholly
insufficient and ii became necessary for the
Russian government to ask for additional
guarantees Until these have been arranged
for the Russian government cannot be eX-
pected 10 withdraw from Manchuria and
thus menace the many Russian lives and
there in the civilization and development of
that province.
Russia is ready and anxious to stimulate
the development of foreign commerce in
Manchuria. The growth of trade means the
success of the Siberian Railway. Russia be-
lieves, however. that this commercial de-
ment of spheres of political influence in the
open ports. Russias political influence in
this territory, which lies on her borders,
| is and must be considered predominant and
its effectiveness would be impaired by the
creation of any form of foreign political
| influence I'm the shape OF extra-territOrial
government of municipal control and regu-
| lation of certain districts within these open
ports similar to conditions such as, for ex-
ample. exist at Shanghai. But no trouble is
anticipated on this score the American
| Chinese commercial treaty providing for
/ the setting aside of certain districts in
| Mukden and Antung as places of interna-
/ tional residence and trade and the provision
for their regula ton is not considered as
| tending toward the establishment of sys-
/ TEN like that surrounding foreign interests
/ at Shanghai.
Russia does not propose TO discuss the
negotiations now in progress. If il should
| be realized she is availing herself of every
/ reasonable means to reach agreement by
/ diplomacy.
''It will be an interesting bit of informa-
/ tin to the Russian government to know
/ the primary object OF the Toxic negotia-
| tions so far as Japan is concerned i'm the
protection of American and English inter-
/ ests in the far East. Russia had sup
posed that Japan was influenced by less
selfish motives"