The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-22
j. s. COMMERCE
IN NANCHURIA
Speculation as to Treaty
Rights After the War.
RUSSIANS ABSORBING TRADE
Consul Davidson Has Warned Mr.. Hav
What Can Be Expected From
Great Bear.

Cnlted states commercial interests in
Manchuria must be protected" has been
the slogan Of the State Department ever
since the siege Of Pekin.
While excited newspaper readers ara
giancing through the latest DISPATCHES
from the contest for supremacy i'm the
Far East. Secretary Hay and other
state Department officials are analvzin,,
each report for the purpose Of deter.
mining what the effect OF the military
movements will be on the commercial
future OF Msnchuris and Korea.
Under Russian domination in Maucbu.
ria the trade Americans had developea
In the Far East was gradually passing
INTO the hands Of Russia. After VISITING
Manchuria and Korea and making an
exhaustive STUDY Of commercial cnndi-
TONS before the beginning Of the war.
james w Davidson. former United
states consul at Tamsui. Formosa. and
recently designated as United States
consul AT Antuns, Manchuria sounded
the note Of warning to the American
lumber. oil. and cotton producers.
Russian Industries.
While in Washington several weeks
ago Mr.. Davidson said the Russian
companies on the YaIu River are de-
veloping lumber mills which will SIM
ply the entire East and shut out Amer
lean lumber. Russians are also maxi
ing much Of the cotton goods used in
Manchuria and displacing American
goods. Russian oil wells are also dis
placing the products of the Standard
Oil Company
At Hardin Russian mills are also
grinding Manchurian wheat. which
threatens 10 displace Minnesota -four
Beer. and beer alone. according to Mr.
davidson. Is the only product from the
united States which is in no danger
from Russian competition
But what Will the effect Of the war
De! Is the question the State Depart-
ment officials are endeavoring TO an
swer
Diplomatists never expect to see Man
chuT1a wrested from Russia. and they
are equally certain that Japan win al
ways hold Korea. Further than this
few prophecies are made As to the
commercial changes which the war Will
work In the disputed territory. guesses
are scarce
Will Keep Port Arthur.
If the japanese take Port Arthur il Is
predicted by naval authorities that they
VIII never evacuate it. Tt Is also con-
~S~SN thdt olner cities or Stra tegfc i'm
portance which may be guarded by war
ships will probably go to the Japan-
csc. who seem destined to have tbet-
own way on the sea. But army and
naval officers are agreed that the Wa,
Is not likely 10 result in any marked
changes in the boundaries Of Korea
and Msnchuria.
treaties run with the land. Consa.
quently. under the Chinese treaty the
United States should enjoy commercial
privileges at Antung. Mukden. and Win
regardless OF which nation wins in The
present struggle. But a decisive victory
Tor Japan might result I'm checking tn
hussianization Of all Mauchuria a,d
increase commercial rights for the
United States.
russia mas assured the United States
Leaeeoiy, however, that it purposes
looking after United States interests in
Ala nchuria- Russian sympathfzers con-
tehd Japanese victory would cbecl,
american commercial growth in the Far
last, and throw the balance Of mower
IN the Orient TO a nation which vvor1d
become so pulled up Il would tramnJe
on the rights Of all other nations having
a foothold in the Orient.
while diplOmatists and economists ara
oeiVlng into the future, American wheat
Taisers and meat producers are Roaming
N unprecedented harvest in supplying
lne armies or the two contendiDc ma
Ilons- Spectators are going mad In the
Chicago wheat pit. but Secrefarv Ifa,-
war. what7' '"e