The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-04-06
MANCHURIAN
SOVEREIGNTY
Russia Gives Consideration
to Recognition
THE AMERICAN CONSUL
Fishers Refusal to Recognize Russian
Administration Forces the Issue
His Attituds Is Inluen-
tial.


St. Petersburg, April THE Russian
government is considering the issuance
Of statement formally recognizing
china's sovereignty in Manchuria IN SO
far as Il consistent with the purely adj
ministrative rights of Russia IN the
railroad zone. This is thought TO be the
best way out of tile Hardin difficulty,
which has been brought 70 an issue BY
the refusal of Fred D. Fisher, the Amer.
lean consul az Hardin, TO recognize the
Russian administration Of this territory.
Russian diplomacy Is anxious at all haz-
ards TO remove the impression Of the
reorganization Of the administration OF
fiarbin and Chailar involves further EN-,
croachments upon the integrity Of Man
churia, and there is reason to believe
that Russia would be willing to receive
suggestions as TO the wording Of state
ment acceptable as to the United States
and the other powers interested which
while clearly defining the status quo
undor existing treaties would permit
Russia 10 institute necessary reforms III
the railroad zone. These reforms are
a prerogatiye OF Russia under the treaty
Of 1896.
The secretary Of the American en-
bassy at vt. Petersburg Saturday con-
fcrred with NJ. Korotoyitz. who Is IN
charge Of the Asiatic department OF the
foreign Office, regarding the situation
lat Hardin. The exchange of views was
wholly informal There have been no
permanent developments, but Il is learn.
"a that Russia objects less to Consul
Fishers attitude than to the views ex.
pressed BY him in private conversation
on the Russian procedure in Mancburia.
The suggestion 81 the issuance ola Rus
sian statement formally recognizing the
Chinese sovereignty in Manchuria is be-
ing earnestly discussed ID diplomatic cir
Giles, where It is thought that it will
be most difficult to lind satisfactory
solution. 1t IL pointed out that sIieh
II made, would have an mn
portant effect in forcing Japan to show
IL thought that Japan would either have
to follow Russia's example OF admit
designs in that territory.
Political Position or United States.
There has eome sudden realization
~ and awakening To the possibilities
of the political position oil the United
States ii the matter Of Russia and Jap
an and the sovereignty of Manclmria,
says dispatch from Pekin This sit
aation has arisen as a result Of the or
ganization and the activity. which lat
ter has been going on for d yeaF of The
American special consular service The
situation has been precipitated BY Two
things, FIRST, The refusal of Fred ID. |
Fisher, the American consul at Hardin,
to recognize the Russian administration
Of that territory and bis support Of the
Chinese protest against the establish
inent by Russia Of municipalities IN the /
railroad zone at Harbin and Chailar indie
pendent If the Chinese government and
second. III the reconsideration OF all (
ALanchfim questions inaugurated re.
GENTLY at Pekin.
that Japan Is about to promnlgate ordi /
nanees along the line of the Russian
decree making Hardin an independent I
for the purpose Of convert |
ing all Japanese communities in Man /
shuria into self governing bodies, and il |
las consequently summoned Tang Shat 1
ii, the governor Of Makden province and /
he chief of the Manehurian adninistra- /
ion, 20 Pekin fen tile purpose ot dispos /
ng Of all Manehurian questions ID a
categorical manner Russia and Japan,
I II declared At Pekin. are. al the opinion
hat China never would have been aware
# the strength Of her diplomacy IN
Manchuria, and especially al Hardin,
vhere Japan supports Russia. had II not
seen for the interference Of the consular
Of the United States.