Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-07
TAFT THERE At LAST THE PROTEST DEF|ED
Beverly Had Abandoned Hope Japan Begins Work on Antung
But Is Happy Now Mukden Railway
CITY MAKES ITS TOILET TO STANDARDZE GAUGE
Police Taught How Que Mob Brought Communication
on Sight With Europe
SWEEP STREETS PAINT HOUSES LINE OF STRATEGIC VALUE
Family Tok Is etermned and
and Nation
TO STANDARDIzE GAUGE
Korea Brought in Communication
With Europe.
LINE OF STRATEGIC VALUE
China Objects to the Reconstruction
But Toxic Is Determined, and
So Notifies the Powers.

| So Notifies the Powers.
/ PEKING. August I'm defiance of the
protestations of China, Japan today be-
4 gan the reconstruction of the Antung-
Mukden railroad extending from Antung
on the Yalu river to Mukden. Work was
started simultaneously at each end of the
| line by Japanese engineers and construct
ors who have been awaiting the outcome
of the negotiations for several months.
They acted on instructions from Toxic.
! China's objection is to changing the ex-
| listing narrow gauge of the line TO the
standard gauge of the connecting lines in
both Korea and Manchuria.
Built as a Military Line.
| The line which is to be reconstructed
was built by Japan in the war with Rus
sia. After the war a treaty was signed
between Japan and China under the terms
of which Japan was to be permitted to
reconstruct or transform the line.
use it for term of fifteen years and then
| turn it over to China.
| The distance from Antung to Mukden
| is about 100 miles. the country traversed
| is rich, but the main advantage gained
| from the reconstruction will be through
| communication from Fusan in southern
Korea to Mukden and thence to the main
trans-Siberian line and so to st. Peters
i burg and London. With an efght-hour
sea trip from Japan to Fusan. the exist
| ing line from Fusan to Antung. the
| thr ough connection made possible by the
] new line to Mukden, the trip from Toxic
| to the capitals of Europe would be very
materially shortened. Furthermore, the
| line is strategically valuable to Japan.
| 1t is to make through traffic possible
| that Japan wants to change the line from
! the existing narrow to the standard
gauge.
Plans Prepared in Detail.
| Plans were prepared in detail when the
project was first brought forward.
/ japanese and engineers practically
agreed to certain necessary changes in
| the way and Japan is ready to proceed
with the work of reconstruction. but
China is interposing difficulties. Much of
| the trouble arises from Interpretation of
| the wording of the original agreement.
which is in Chinese. The matter was first
taken up with the viceroy of Mukden,
who did not take kindly to the changes
suggested by Japan. Then negotiations
We're opened with the central govern
ment at Peking, which objects to the
change to standard gauge; declares that
4 the northern terminal must De ACTUALLY
az Mukden. instead of a few miles from
the city, as the Japanese desire for rea-
sons of economy. and insists that the
policing of the line shall be left entirely
/ in Chinese hands and that all Japanese
| troops be withdrawn. This last PROPOSE
tion has been fatty refused by Japan.
/ Speaking broadly, Japan insists that the
changes she proposes are necessary for
| the carrying out of the ideas set forth in
the treaty.
Powers Notified by Japan.
Japan yesterday officially notified the
powers of her intention to proceed i'm
mediately with the reconstruction and i'm
provement of the railroad without the
consent of China, diplomatic negotia-
tions having failed to overcome Chinese
opposition.
| The note outlined the entire course of
negotiations relative to the Improvement
of the railroad up to the present. 1t de-
clared that throughout the discussion
China has had recourse to her well
known policy of obstruction and pro-
crastination. has evaded the just and rea-
| sonable demands of Japan and raised
collateral questions regarding police au-
| thority and other matters, thus delaying
a settlement.
China's reply of June q is mentioned
and the note declares that Japan's rights
under the treaty of 1905 were disre-
wholly nullified thereby.
| 1t is charged that China raised ipma-
terial issues and declared in her reply
that the work of improvement on the
! Antung- Mukden railroad must be con-
fined to the existing track and that the
broadening of the gauge cannot be per-
mitted."
/ The communication declares that since
June "a when the reply was received,
Japan has endeavored to induce China to
RECONSIDER her decision and recede from
her untenable position, but that the Chi
nese government has maintained an un-
yielding and uncompromising attitude.
The Treaty Quoted.
The entire history of the negotiations
relative 10 this road since the treaty was
signed at Peking in 1905 is recapitulated
in the note to the powers. 1t is pointed
out that the terms of that treaty permit
/ Japan to reconstruct the road in a man
ner which will render II ''fit for the con-
veyance of the commercial and indus
1 trial goods of all nations.
| 1t states, further. that after three years
of negotiations China refuses to permit
the changing of the road from its present
gauge of two feet six inches TO standard
4 width This is declared to be palpable
violation of the treaty.
4 The advantages to be derived by al!
| concerned from the reconstruction of the
4 road are pointed out by the note. which
/ states that since April, 1907, joint COM
| mission of Japanese and Chinese engi-
j ueers agreed upon a survey of a pro-
posed route considerably shortening the
distance and grades. After this China
i obstructed and delayed the commence
ment of work until now. when Japan's $
patience has become exhausted, and she
las determined to proceed independently,
as the approach of the winter months
makes il imperative to avoid further de-
lay.
The final paragraph of the note con-
tains Japan's ultimatum, as follows; AS
in this situation the imperial govern
ment is compelled to take independent
action and to proceed to carry out the
| necessary work of reconstruction and
improvement according TO treaty rights :
Prior to the issuance of the note Japan
quietly prepared for the immediate com
mencement of the work.
Instructions to japanese.
Instructions have been issued to the
Governor of Liao-tGnS that the question
Of the right of Japan TO undertake the
work is rhe only difference pending be-
tween Japan and China and that the
friendly attitude of Japan toward China
is unchanged. The instructions state
that the work must make difference
4 SContinued on Fifth Pase)