The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-04-22

l lision with Japan He was mainly in
strumental in blocking plan proposed
| by England that the powers should give
a mandate to Japan to restore order in
China. Alexeieff insisted that Japan
might bring as many troops as she wish
ed, but must not be put in position
! of privilege as regards the other powers.
| Meanwhile, events were happening in
Manchuria which were soon to compel
him to return thither. On july 10 the
| Chinese army bombarded the Russian
town of BIagovestchensk, and attacked
the Russian ships on the Anlur River.
The Russians in Siberia were swept by a
panic similar to that which spread over
India when the great mutiny began, and
at once prepared, as they thought, TO
sell their lives dearly. The Chinese in
Blagovestchensk were suspected of aid
ing the attack from across the river, and
the Russian settlement, in fear of mas
sacre, practically annihilated the Chi
nese population of their Siberian town.
For diplomatic reasons it has been
agreed to support the view that the Chi
nese. government had no part in the Box
er outrages, even though Prince Tuan
was head of the Tsung-li Yamen when
the Picking legations were besieged. But
in Manchuria this fiction was Irnposs1-
bic. The governors of the three Man
-churian provinces at first promised pro-
lection to the Russians, who had then
only 5000 Cossack railroad guards III all
Manchuria; but shortly after the Chi
nese officials made a total change OF |
front On June p the yice-governoT OF
MuLden overthrow the governor, and
openly took command of Boxer band |
Boxer proclanations appeared all over
-,-.I he Of >I'ef- /
tsi-har and Kirin told the Russian rail- |
road officials they could no longer an
swer for their troops On July "a a |
forged proclamation from the Chinese
Emperor, ordering the imperial army to
join the Boxers, was found at Telin, a
few miles from Mukden, and also proc
lanations from the three Manchurian
governors, saving that the Russian Off
Gals were ordered to hand over the rail-
road, when they would be conveyed
across the frontier by Chinese troops. 1t
was put on record at the time that the
attack on Russian territory along the
Amur. and on the Russian railroad IN
Manchuria, was altogether official, COM
ing from unquestionable Chinese au-
fllorities and based on positive orders
from Peking.
Russia's political position in Manchu-
ria was defined by a telegram from the
Foreign Office at St. Petersburg to the :
powers, dated August IL .As soon as
general order IS restored in Manchuria.
and all necessary means are taken to :
safeguard the railroad. the construction
Of which is guaranteed by a special for
nal agreement with China with refer :
ence to the concession granted to the
Chinese Eastern Railroad Company
Russia will withdraw her army from
he territory of the neighboring empire, I
providing that the action of other pow
RS shall not hinder this
A week earlier the Russians Under 4
ADMIRAL Alexeieff bonibarded Newch- 4
Yang, and two days before the sending
f the telegram quoted he established a
PROVISIONAL Russian government at that
ity, and foisted the Russian flag from /
he custon-house.
After Picking fell, and the main Rus
ian settlements in Manchuria were re-
eved Admiral Alexeieff found himself
once again TO build up the
-ane of Russian Influence and COM
lerce. The railroad had been wrecked,
lie telegraph lines cut, and the bands h
robbers again infested the country. 30
lie set to work with might and main. :,
I'D practically reconquered the whole of III
an trade began to flourish; capital came st
through the Russo-Chinese bank !,
ERE were not less than eighty thou -
nd European settlers in Manchuria, ev
Id their colonies greatly throve. In the Ii:
ords of distinguished American, The ~,
hinese inhabitants of Manchuria be-
me SO well satisfied with Russian rule u
at they would not willingly go back gu
the former regime" me-
The diplomatic strife foreshadowed by no
dnifaI Alexeieffs refusal to give a -
eciai mandate to Japan, and the jap uo
ese commanders subsequent vote tn
ainst Russian control of the land fel
rces presently became more defined ~.
lmiral Alexeieff naturally felt that,
ter Russian concessions had been at Oh
.iSed by Chinese troops, under written dis
aers from Chinese governors, and aft viz
Russian leased areas and settlements
d Deen threatened with destruction,
1ssia stood in the position of a con- tn
eror towards Manchuria: he also felt ha.
At his work, and that of his assistants. ble
restoring order and protecting civil
hits in Manchuria, at a great cost of III
n and money. gave Russia something att
~ like sovereignty over the three sh,
0yinces of Manchuria, and this view, ~.
itch he steadily held IN mind, deter
ned his course in subsequent negotia- An
MS. att
England had, from the first, appre- ha,
nded preponderance of Russian pow
and had made the treaty with Ger
my, in the autumn of 1900, with the WI
"a of checking Russia A series of on
gotiations followed In April. 1901. va,
Imiral Alexeieff sought number of -
,cial privileges in Manchuria, and had Di
-