Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-01-12
AFFAIRS In THE EAST.

The London Times Peking correspon
dent, cabling under Sundays date, say
that the Chinese Minister at Toxic, a
the request of the japanese foreign office
t%elegraphed the following communica
ton to Prince Ching: "The SECOND
Russian reply to the japanese proposal
has been received at Toxic, but it j
unfavorable and cannot be accepted by
Japan, who will, unless Russia recedes
be compelled to promptly resort to arms
In view of such an eventuality Japar
urges and expects China to maintain
the strictest neutrality, to preserve order
throughout the empire, to guard foreign
ers resident in the interior, and to TAKE
special care to preserve order in The
provinces of Shangtung and Yunnani
lest foreign powers might seize the pre-
text of disorder and make aggressive
movements therein"
The St. Petersburg correspondent o.
the Berlin Lokal Anzeiger gives a much
more serious view of the far Eastern
situation than has hitherto emanated
from that capital. The correspondent
claims he has authentic information
that those in official circles entertain a
greater concern over the difficulties be-
tween Russia and Japan than they have
heretofore allowed to become known to
the public, aud he says that he expects
that the utterances of the press have
been optimistically colored in order to
conceal this official disquiet. A COM
munication will shortly be published
which will show that Russia has made
the following propositions:
First. Japan will get various conces-
sions in Korea.
Second. In South Korea the japanese
a act not only in their economic inter
ests, but they can adopt strategic meas
ures corresponding with these interests.
Third. Russia allows Japan full COM
mercial freedom of action in North
Korea, but Japan must not permanently
occupy fortified towns, either to the
north or south, and neither on the coast,
nor in the interior.
Fourth. A neutral zone of fifty kilo-
broad is to be created between
and Manchuria along the Yalu
and Tumen rivers, in which neither
Russia nor Japan can establish fortified
positions, also that the strait between
Japan and Korea shall be neutral,
thus giving free ingress and egress to
Russian vessels.
Fifth. In reference to Manchuria
Russia accepts no conditions, but de-
clares that she is ready to permit Japan
and her powers to represent their in
t%erests, embracing the 'open door, for
Mukden and New Chwang.
The Russian government has inform ed
the powers that it will respect fully the
rights any nation has in Manchuria UNI
der treaty with China. This declaration
is made without reservation. Russia
gives formal expression to this policy
now in consequence of the controversy
With Japan, one of whose persistent con-
.%entions has been for a definition of
Russia's policy in Manchuria, and an
acknowledgment of Japan's trade privi-
eyes. Russia's reply has been, in sub
,tan ce, as follows:
1--WE cannot discuss Manchuria with
any more than we could Australia
n the Philippines. Manchuria belongs
to us, nor to you. 1t does not
lie within the jurisdiction of either OF
Is to dispose of the future of Man
Russia, however, is willing to observe
he treaty rights of all the powers in
Manchuria, and now engages TO do so.
Russia, it is added, thus remoyes from
he negotiations one Of the points upon
which Japan counted for the moral sup
port Of other powers and whereon she es-
had the sympathy of the United
States and Great Britain.
Advices from Seoul state that the Jap
lnese Minister has made reiterated de-
hands, hitherto without result, on the
Emperor of Korea that he recognize a
Japanese ~protectorate of Korea, the
Korean government holding itself to the
2usso-Japanese agreement concerning