Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-11
The Attitude of Russia.

Suldf Offices Feauy ~ Cletl EtulSliCdl
chant ships for the first time from interior
Manchurian ports.
The Attitude of Russia.
By an authority conversant with Russia's
position in the far east and her attitude to-
ward American interests there the press is
given this statement:
I'm view of the wide circula ton given re-
ports without basis in fact charging Russia
with hostility to American interests in the
far east, it seems expedent that the atti-
tude of Russia should be again defined.
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 an
aim to develop trade and not by political
ambition. Russia has shown her good faith
by refraning from any action which would
endanger the conclusion OF the American
Chinese commercial treaty signed on Octo-
Der 8. That treaty has been ratified by the
throne at Peking and thus through the me-
dunn Of the United States the important
ports of Mukden and Antung in Manchurla
are 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 ma
teriaIIy changed conditions in Manchuria.
Russia will certainly not submit TO die
tation at the hands OF any power as to the
protection Of her legitimate interest in
Manchura Negotiations are in progress
between st. Petersburg and Picking in the
effort to reach an agreement adequately
protecting the special or predominant fnftu-
ence 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 1T was Russia's
hope that she could with safety withdraw
her forces from Manchurfa last October and
tI,4 Of int
China. In the meantime, however. 1T was
clearly demonstrated that the guarantees
offered by China were wholly insufficient
and it became necessary for the Russian
government to ask for additional guaran-
tees.
Until these have been arranged for the
Russian government cannot be expected to
withdraw from Manchuria and thus men,
ace the many Russian lives and forfeit the
$3.50 600 900 which have been spent there in
the civilization and development of that
province.
Foreign Trade With Manchuria-
RUSSIA is ready and anxious to stimu-
late the development Of foreign commerce
In Manchuria. The growth of trade means
the success Of the Siberian railway. Rus
STA believes, however. that this commercial
development is possible without the estab-
ushment of spheres Of political influence In
the open ports. Russia's 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 politi-
cal influence In the shape of extra-territo-
rial government or municipal control and
regulation of certain districts within these
open ports similar to conditions such as fer
example. exist at Shanghai. But no trou-
BILE is anticipated on this score as the Amer
lean Chinese commercial treaty providing
for the setting aside of certain districts il
Mukden and Antung as places of internal
tional residence and trade. and the provi-
sion for their regulation is not considered
as tending toward the establishment of a
system like that surrounding foreign inter-
ests at Shanghai.
Russia does not propose to discuss the
negotiations now In progress But it should
be realized she is availing herself Of every
reasonable means to reach an agreement by
diplomacy.
'It will be an interesting bit of informa-
ton to the Russian government to know
the primary object of the Tokyo negotiations
so far as Japan Is concerned is the pro-
lection of American and English interests
in the far east. Russia had supposed that
Japan was Influenced by less unselfish mo-
tives''