The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-01-16
CASSINI IS ASSURED
Russian Ambassador Confers
With Hay as TO Manchuria.
OUR INTERESTS PURELY COMMERCIAL

COnsuIs Sent to Mukden and Antung
VIII Act In the Interests of Amer
lean Trade AIone-No Policy of
Aggression Contemplated.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10. What
might have developed into an unfortu-
| nate misunderstanding between the
governments of the United States and
Russia regarding the interest of the
United States in Manchuria was adj
justed at a conference at the state de-
partment between Mr. Hay, the sccre-
.taly of state, and Count Cassini, the
Russian ambassador. As result the
Russian government will be advised
by the ambassador that he has the bc7t
assurances that the interest of this
country in Manchuria is absolutely and
exclusively commercial and that the
consuls sent to Mukden and Antung
will coniine their activities to the faith
full care of American trade interests ia
that province.
Count Cassini called at the state de
partment to inquire into certain state
mcnts which several European diplo-
mats here had brought 20 his attention
and interpreted TO indicate change Of
policy on the part of this government
in the direction of political mtcrven-
ton in Manchuria The ambassador
himself was unwilling to believe that
any such change was even contemplate
cd in view of his understanding
throughout the negotiations that the
United States interests in Manchuria
Were those of trade, not territory.
This conviction was confirmed by his
visit TO tie state department. The CON
ference between the secretary and the
ambassador was characterized by
frank cordiality on both sides. The
ambassador was assured that this
government does not contemplate the
substitution of a political for IA com
mercial policy in the far east
A London cablegram says that Bar
on HHyaShi, has received no indication
Of the probable attitude Of Russia, but
he said, 1T is virtually certain that
any declaration of war will not ema-
nate from Russia"
The minister is not very hopeful of
the result of the latest japanese note,
but he specifically denies that Japans
reply suggests the naturalization of
portion Of hanchuria as well as of
portion of Korea or that mention was
made Of the right to break off nego-
tiations.
"Our conditions" said the minister,
"are summed up in the concluding por-
ton of the state departments an
nouncement regarding the Chino-Amer
lean treaty. For these principles, to
which Secretary Hay says the United
States Is irrevocably committed. we
are willing to go to war unless Rus
sla will consent to give us a definite
pledge that she, too, adheres TO the
open door and Chinese sovereignty in
Manchuria."
Russia has applied to Turkey for per-
mission to send her Black sea feet
through the Dardaneles, and it is as
serted that Russia will press for Turk
ish consent. Germany's attitude. as at
the time the four unarmed Russian
torpedo boat destroyers passed through
the straits in September, 1902, is that
she has no concern in the matter
A Picking cable says it is reported
from consular sources at Newchwang
that Russian troops are concentrating
at the towns of LiaOyang and Hal
cheng and other places, where they will
be in a position TO reoccupy the terrific
nv between the Lao river and the great
wall and seize the Newchwang- Shan
halkwan section of the Chinese rail-
road.
A cable from Seoul says NJ. Pavloff
the Russian minister to Korea, in an in
terview said:
"Russia will refuse to agree to the
opening of Win and will protect Ko-
rcan sovereignty at all costs Russia
would regard the landing Of japanese
troops in Korea as an unfricndly act
and would defend the independence Of
Korea against pagan invaders"
In the same interview Minister Paw
loft declared THE Russian feet will
not fight. Fabian tactics will be en-
ployed, and Japan will defeat herself
within a short period OF being on a war
footing"
A Tokyo dispatch says the Korean
cabinet has decided TO open Yongam-
pho and Jikoho and that this decision
will be promulgated at the expiration
of the mourning for the empress dowa-
ger.