The San Francisco call., 1904-04-12
Washington Approves
Cars Protest to
China.
Special Dispatch to IN. Cali.

CALL BUREAU, HOTEL BARTON,
WASHINGTON. April 1.-THE Rus
sian protest against the continued SER
vice of japanese officers as military
instructors in the Chinese army is
tacitly approved by the United States,
and it is not improbable that similar
representations will be made to China
by the State Department The activity
of the Chinese imperial troops under
General Yuan Shi Kai has not troubled
Secretary Hay and the President as
much as it has the Russian Govern
ment. Nevertheless the strain which
now exists between the forces at Pc
king which desire to maintain China's
neutrality and those which are anxious
to cast the lot Of the empire with
Japan is considered a most vital ele-
ment Of the situation.
Germany is extremely restless about
the pro-Japanese tendency Of General
Yuan Shi Kai and his lieutenant, Cen
eraI Ma. Baron Sternburg, the Ger
man Embassador, has already made
the presence of japanese officers in the
Chinese army the subject Of a confer
ence with Secretary Hay.
Although Germany is keeping well
in the background, the preservation of
Chinais neutrality is extremely vital
TO her. Germany initiated the agree
ment between the powers to respect
and to assist the neutrality of China
and TO DO all possible to limit the area
Of hostilities.
It is learned that the Russian Gov
ernment several weeks ago sent a mil
itary agent to observe what effect the
presence of the japanese officers was
having on the Chinese army. It is evil
dent that he learned that these Off
GERS were fomenting pro-Japanese SEN
timents. Otherwise the protests by
Minister Lessar to the Chinese Govern
ment probably would never have been
made.
Official advices received here to-day
state that the japanese forces in Korea
have made decided progress up to the
Yalu River. At the japanese legation
il is stated that fighting may be ex-
pected within a few days, and this
statement is understood to be founded
upon quite recent cablegrams from the
Foreign Office in Toxic.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 1.-THE
reports that Lessar, the Russian Min
lSLtI dl I6hlnSs Idu tldQ6 SlTOnRaI rep
reservations to the Chinese Govern
ment on the subject Of the japanese
military instructors in the service of
China and the japanese officers with
General Mas army, demanding the
issuance of orders for their dismissal
are confirmed here. Russia regards
their continued presence where they
are as being a most serious threat to
her.
; 1t is pointed out that. without the
consent of the Peking Government, the
japanese officers who are with Gen
eral Ma, who is now north of the
Great Wall, easily can obtain domi-
nant influence over the Chinese troops
and use them IL the japanese opera
tions demand the creation of a diversion
in General Kuropatkins rear, possi-
bly, resulting in cutting his commune
cations. If General Kuropatl1in is
compelled in time of stress to meet a
sudden and unexpected attack from
this quarter. il might greatly embar
rass him. OF course, the Pcking Gov
ernment would disavow completely, but
the harm would be done. and Russia
considers that the immediate removal
Of japanese influence from the Chinese
army is imperative.
While it is not specifically stated
that China's failure to comply with
the Russian demands will be consid-
cred a violation of Chinese neutrality,
this is believed to be the true account
OF the situation 1t is added that Kuro-
patkin is disposing of 10000 men where
they will be available for use in the di-
rection of the Chinese frontier but no
confirmation of this report is obtain
able.
LONDON. April 12.-The Tientsin
correspondent of the Standard says
that Russia has again protested
against the presence of Chinese troops
on the Manchurian frontier and has
demanded their withdrawal within a
five-mile limit of the great wall