The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-03
China Becomes Aggressive in
Asserting Her Rights.
Takes Stand Against Foreigners
Acquiring Her Land.
NEW POLICY HITS US.
Interferes With Establishment
of American COnsulates
At a Number of Points in Pro-
vince of Manchuria.

Washington, May s.-China is as
serting her dignity and rights as to
the province of Manchuria, wrested
from Russian control as the result Of
the war. in a manner that is not en-
tirely agreeable to all the powers.
And the first manifestation of this
falls upon the United States. Partly
to sustain the Chinese claim to SOW
ereignty over the province and also to
secure the open door as against either
of the parties to the great combat, the
state department early in the quarrel
took steps to establish consulates at
An Tung. Tatkungow, Mukden,. and
DaIny. During the progress of the
war and while the country was in
military occupancy it was not possible
to actually open offices at these places.
But as soon as Japan and Russia were
willing to withdraw their troops it
was of course assumed that there
would be no further difficulty expert
enced in installing the American con-
suls.
Now, however. it appears that
China is interposing obstacles, sup
posed at first to be grounded entirely
upon a desire TO merely assert herself
and crafty her vanity, but at last
found to have a much more substan-
tial basis. In fact. the Chinese gov
eminent, it is understood, is now de-
termined to make stand against
any extension of foreign land holdings
in China and finds the opportunity to
make the issue in connection with the
esta bIishment of foreign consulates in
Manchuria.
In Shanghai, Tien Tsin, Canton and
elsewhere in Mongolia there are what
is known as foreign settlements where
in CnnC17lafaG located and the
ground titles in many cases rest IN the
hands of foreign governments or IN
citizens of foreign countries. These
settlements have always been Obnox-
ious to the Chinese and they have de-
ternined to prevent the extension OF
the holdings. Hence in the case of the
Manchurian consulates, while the chi
nese government is willing that these
great trade agencies sn Ouid be estab-
Hshed they wish to permit it only on
condition that the necessary lands for
the foreign occupants of the towns
shall remain in the ownership OF the
Chinese government and that foreign
ers be permitted to live thereupon only
under 3O-year leases The plan IS re-
garded with disapproval in some quar-
ters. because the great appreciation IN
value of lands under foreign occupancy
and Improvement would PROBABLY
make it impossible for the original
Iessees to renew their leases on any
terms within their power to meet: But
the Chinese government mas dtreaoy
inaugurated this new policy of foreign
exclusion in the important city or
Gilman Flu by prohibiting the connec-
ton Of foreigners with the electric
lighting and trolley systems or in con-
nection with any of the public utilities
and the same principle is being applied
TO the construction of railroads so that
unless there is alignment of the powers
against the Chinese assertion as to the
Manchurian consulate the end Of for
eign land owning in China is believed
to be at hand.