New-York tribune., 1908-04-04
RIGHTS In MANCHURIA
ATTITUDE OF AMERICA.
Reasons for Refusal to Recognise
Russian Sovereignty.

Washington. April 3.-Barcn Rosen, the Rus
sian Ambassador. was in conference with Sec
retary Root at the State Department to-day, at
which Russias sphere Of influence, authority
and interest in Manchuria is understood TO have
been the subject OF consideration 1t has de-
veloped that the position taken by Mr.. Fisher.
United States Consul Harbin. under instruc-
tions from the Washington government to de-
cline 10 recognize the authority of the director
Of the Chinese Eastern Railway in the munich
usI government there. is the first indication
which the American government has given OF
the course likely 10 be followed by it in the
-nainrenanCe Of the open door doctrine announced
&C 9 principle by the late Secretary Hay
That the American government viii have lit
re difficulty in maintaining the position it has
taken is made evident from a review Of the
bssis OF Russia's assertion of jurisdiction over
ne Chinese Eastern Railway zone. This basis
* : contract entered into by the Chinese gov
.-,r7snt and the Russo-Chinese Bank, in 1896
MANY Of the principal features of this contract
have been made the subject Of protest since by
china. For instance. the director Of the road
vas 10 be appointed by China and was 10 reside
Z, Peking- This provision has never been COM
-1jed with The director of the road is a Rus
san and resides at Harbin.
As further establishing Russia's true position
:, wanShuria. the treaty Of Portsmouth is most
srrcit in terms The two powers agree ito
,o--Dle1elv and simultaneously evacuate Man
,r-5-iar and. with the exception Of the leased
-o-1ion of the Liao-Tung Peninsula, 10 entirely
snd completely restore 10 the exclusive admin
ss--ation Of China all parts Of Manchur1a now
occr5ried by Russian and Japanese troops. or
r+fch are under their control with the exceP-
,,o- of the above mentioned territory. And
srsin il the same treaty: The imperial gov
eminent Of Russia declares that il has no terri
.o-ia1 ADVANTAGE or preferential or exclusive
Concessions in Nanchuria OF such nature as TO
=--nsir the sovereignty Of China or which are
fD-o-77patfbie with the principle OF equal oppor-
runry-'
Notwithstanding these stipulations. the d.
eo-,- n The Chinese Eastern Railway. in the
month of February last, promulgated two
e5icts. one Of which assumes TO regulate 10 the
,-'-1rest detail all business within the railroad
-ora the other providing severe penalties
er=frsr any criticism Of the railroad admin
ist-ation. either in the press or by agitators or
II public gatherings. The commercial regula-
lions make il necessary for all persons wishing
- engage in business Of any character TO pro
cure p license OF the director Of the road. for
which fee is charged Penalties Of fines and
i-7--isonnent are provided for violation OF the
e6ict-
Il * readily understood that the refusal Of the
American consul 10 recognize this Russian rail-
road administration which assumes 10 regulate
ali things within the railroad zone, including
F4s-hfr should he made the subject Of inquiry
However IL is believed that the position which
rhe American government has assumed will be
Maintained until the basis Of Russia's authority
snail warrant q recognition Of her jurisdiction
n Nanchuria-
= Petersburg. April 3.-Russia and several
ether powers are awaiting with interest the an
nou1cen7ent Of the attitude Of the State De-
rartrnent at Washington regarding the Fisher
incident as this issue affects only The ad-
rlinistration Of Harbin and Chailar by Russia.
hut the entire question Of the sovereignty OF
North China and South Manchuria- Mr.. Fisher
has consistently refused 10 admit that he should
have anything DO with the Russian admins
r-a-ion of this territory. and he has been firm
IN his assumption that he was accredited solely
- China: Furthermore, he has supported the
protests Of China against the establishment by
Russia Of municipalities in the railroad zone al
F5a-bin and ChaiLar independent Of the Chinese
government. His attitude in this matter prompt
e Russia 70 seek an explanation OF his course
Washington.
Il was learned here to-day that the German
consul a. F7arbin had sided with Mr. Fisher
ezaf inst the demands OF the Russian authorities
which involved the signing by foreign and Chi
res4 residents Of . paper agreeing TO obey the
ordinances Of the Harbin Municipal Council and
70 pay taxes. This council is composed Of six
members three nominated and three elected u
oeice The president OF the council is named
hz the railroad, and in this manner Russian
control Is assured The French consul at Har-
b.1 acguiesced in the Russian demands.
i Is believed here that the real reasons be
lind the protest Of China and the support given
this protest by the American and German
slls are based the apprehension aroused by
re aggressive and far reaching policy OF Japan
in Southern Manchuria. This fear resulted in
dete-rniration 70 challenge the anomalous Russo
Jararese poAion in a province nominalIy Chi
rese- The Russian measures are regarded
relatively OF local Importance. whereas the pre-
tensions Of Japan 10 the right 70 the Chinese
railroads for mail carrying purposes without
reference 70 the Chinese postal system. put
forward in the postal convention that was pro
posed 70 China early in January, involve direct
i-f-irEernent Of Chinese sovereignty At one
time Russia exercised similar postal rights. but
she abandoned them in October. when she
signed : convention with China regulate the
Interchange % mails This agreement carried
the r-oyiso that it should lapse at the end Of
year unless cnina IL the mean time concluded
Ike convention with japan
Il j. asserted here that China is responsible
ro- uniting the policies of Russia and Japan in
Nanchuria when Russia. after the close OF
re va~ with japan. attempted TO resume nor
lrzl relations uith China she encountered an
arti,rd- of hostility and distrust and decided
rhat her Nanchurian interests would he best
projected by a working agreement with Japan.