Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-26
CHINA MAKES PROTEST
Objects to Two Clauses of the
Portsmouth Treaty.
G UARDING RAILWAY
OPPOSES USE OF so MANY FOR
EIGN TROOPS.
Identic Notes Sent to All the Powers
Including the Government Of
the United States.

The Chinese government has sent identic
notes to all the powers, including the
United States. expressing its dissatisfaction
with certain features of the treaty of peace
recently concluded at Portsmouth by Rus
STA and Japan Sir Chentung LANG cheng,
the Chinese minister called at the State
Department yesterday to inquire as to the
probable attitude of the United States gov
eminent in the matter, but received no def
mite informa ton on that point owing to
the absence of Secretary Root or other of
fetal authorized to speak for the President.
Two Objectionable Clauses.
The Chinese note submitted to the
State Department shows that the Chi
nese government has made formal pro-
test to the Russian and Japanese gov
ernments with respect to two clauses of
the treaty of Portsmouth-one govern
ing the length of time allowed for the
evacuation of Manchuria. and the other
providing for an armed guard for the
railroad lines owend by Russia and Japan
in Manchuria. The treaty provides for
the evacuation of Manchuria by the forces
OF Russia and Japan within eighteen
months. The Picking government is of
opinion that nine months is ample time
for the evacuation. and protests against
the presence of Russian and Japanese
troops in Manchuria for longer period.
Furthermore, the Portsmouth treaty pro-
vides for guard of fifteen men to every
kflometer of Russian and japanese rail-
ways in Manchuria. which, 1t is alleged,
actually means the retention of an armed
force of about 1000 foreign soldiers in
Chinese territory. There are about 1,00o
| miles of railway in Manchura in the pos
| session of the Russian and Japanese gov
ernments, the japanese owning that reach
ing from a point twenty-five miles south
of Hardin to Port Arthur and the Russians
from Hardin to Vladivostok.
China Gives Assurances.
China has pledged herself to protect the
railroads and their employees and has re-
quested both Russia and Japan to relin-
quish that stipulation of the peace treaty
| pointing out that not only is the guard far
| too great, but it is unnecessary and would
certainly be the cause of much trouble
China has assured both Russia and Japan
That she can care for the property of each
| OF the governments.
During the peace negotiations between
Russia and Japan the Chinese government
gave notice that it would not be bound by
any action taken by the negotiators af-
fectfng Chinese territory or rights unless
it was first consulted in the matter and
gave its approval. So far as known. no
official notice was taken of the Chinese
representations or desires and there is no
knowledge that the Representative of that
government We're consulted about anything
relative to the peace treaty, and certainly
not concerning the establishment of the
guard and the final agreement on the
length of time to he taken in the evacua-
ton of Manchuria.
This Country Not Concerned.
In view of the feeling that the questions
at issue are of direct concern to only China,
Russia and Japan, and are capable of ami
cable adjustment by them without outside
aid or interference, it is not considered
likely that the United States government
will deem it necessary to take any action
in the premises beyond possible offer of
good offices. Notwithstanding the terms of
the treaty. it is possible for Russia and
Japan, in case they mutually desire and
agree to do SO, to act in accordance with
the expressed wishes of China. and with
draw their troops more speedily than re-
-quired by the treaty, as well as reduce the
size of the armed guard for the railroad
lines. Although the two nations concerned
could amend the treaty in the two respects
stated there is no special ground for the
belief that they will do SO simply at the
instance of the Chinese government.