New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-21
THREE POINTS IN EAST ASIA.

The outlook in East Asia is undoubtedly more
peaceful. or perhaps we should say less war
like. There are distinct indications that Rus
STA is inclined to recede from some, If not all
of her aggressive demands. That may be be-
cause the peace party" which is the party OF
progress and OF the Car. has gained dominance
in Russia. Ii may be because Of the all but
universal sympathy with Japan expressed by
the world. 1t may be because-we have Rus
sian authority for saying it-of the resolute
stand taken by the United States In behalf OF
its treaty rights. 1t NAV be because-as we are
now assured from Berlin-France has grown
weary of the one sided Russian alliance and
has given Russia TO understand that she will
have no French aid in case Of war, not even
though other powers should ally themselves
with Japan. Whatever the reason, the fact is
patent, and is welcome. There are, however
three remaining points which need to be set
tied.
One is suggested by the Russian Viceroy OF
the Far East, Admiral Alexief, through his
diplomatic agent, NJ. Parcon. in the declara-
ton that It unfriendly and undiplomatic
for the United States TO make treaty with
China without Russla's consent. and that Rus
STA will not open the ports Of Moukden and An
Tung. nor permit United States consuls 10 go
thither. That is a point which Admiral AlexiefH
and the ST. Petersburg government may need
TO settle between them. The course of the
United States is clear. 1t asks nobodys con-
sent to its treaty making with another sovereign
power. II has made the treaty with China, and
Ii is sending consuls TO the two ports named
1t expects that they will be properly received,
and that those ports will be opened and be kept
open TO its commerce. So far as the American
government pays attention to Russian utter
ances upon this subject, it does SO TO the dec
laration Of the Cars accredited representative
at Washington, who only last week assured the
Secretary Of State that Russia would place no
obstacles in the way OF our full enjoyment of
our treaty rights in Manchuria. We hope and
believe that Count Cassini will prove TO have
been more accurate exponent OF the Cars
policy than Admiral AIexieY.
second point is that OF foreign settlements
in AIancburia- A st. Petersburg dispatch re-
ports TINT Russia stu refuses TO acouiesce in
the treaty rights Of foreign powers TO make set
Elements In Manchuria. though she is OF course
herself making such settlements there without
number and OF great extent. Japan. we are
also tod, is inclined TO contest this point, which
is considered vital. Certainly II does seem
vital The annulment of the right to make
commercial settlements would practically annul
or destroy the value OF all other rights and
privileges. What good would It be to us TO
have the right to trade In Manchuria if orr
traders were not permitted to reside in Man
churian ports? Moreover. since Russia Is max
ing all the settlements II pleases her to make
In Manchuria, other nations must have the
same privilege under the most favored nation
clause-a clause which Is In our treaty with
China.
The third point concerns the Yalu River Rms
STA is said 10 have receded from her pretensjons
10 the control OF Corea. even of the northern
half OF that country, and to have admitted that
II lies within Japan's sphere OF influence Ruf
she still insists that considerable strip along
the northern border of Corea, comprising the
Corean banks OF the Yalu and Tiumen rivers
shall be declared a neutral zone. IN which
japan shall make no Notifications or settle
ments- But Russia herself already has some
settlements within IT. 1t does not appear thar
she has consented TO abandon and Withdraw
from them. Moreover. Russia absolutely re-
fuses even 10 consider Japans suggestion that
similar strip should be neutraIized ON the
Manchurian side of the line. The Russian Man
seems to be that Russia shall be permitted 70
settle along and fortify the Chinese side of the