New-York tribune., 1909-07-03
AMERICA TO PROTEST
OBJECTIONS TO RUSSO
CHINESE AGREEMENT.
State Department Carefully Guard
ing Interests of United States
an Mancharia.
an Manchurid.
Iron The Tribune Bureau ]

IFron The Tribune Bureaul
Washington July 2-The watchful care with
which Secretary Knox guards the interests Of
the United States in the Far East and his zeal
Gus desire to preserve the administrative entity
of China were manifested to-day. when 1t was
announced at the State Department that this
government purposed TO protest against the
agreement recently drawn up between China
and Russia defining the extent of the SOW
ereignty to be exercised by Russia over the ter
rtory occupied by the Chinese Eastern Rail-
way which runs north from Harbin through
Manchuria.
In the opinion of Secretary Knox, formed
after careful consideration and consultation
with Far Eastern experts, the agreement con-
fers on Russia considerable arbitrary power
and is framed in terms which It is feared might
be susceptible of Interpretation so broad as
to prove menace to China's administrative
entity 1t might thus prove inimical to the in
terests OF this country and Great Britain. and
possibly to other nations which are especially
interested in China's development or might be
made the basis for demands from Japan which
could not consistently be granted.
The full text of the agreement has not yet
been received at the State Department. only It's
substance having been sent by cable to Secre-
tary Knox from the American Legation In
China. The mere outline of the agreement
however, is sufficiently comprehensive to con-
firm Mr.. Knox in the belief that he is warranted
in making a formal protest. 1t is explained
by the administration. however, that this pro
test is intended not interference with the
legitimate and beneficial negotiations which
have been concluded between the Russian and
Chinese governments, but merely to make it
certain that the rights of this country shall be
securely safeguarded and that China may not
unconscously be placed In a position which
seems more favorable to Russia than 10 the
other powers which are assisting in her COM
mercial and internal development.
THE EASTERN RAILWAY CONCESSION
The Chinese Eastern Railway has its terminus
at Harbin. ManChuria. and runs from there
northeast forming a connection with the Trans
Siberian Railway at Chita. 1t is owned by
Russian corporation in which the principal
shareholder is supposed to be the Russian gov
eminent. Shortly after the Russo-Japanese
War the Chinese government granted to Russia
a concession which enabled il to operate the
railroad. It was represented that in order that
this might be done as proftably and expeditions
ly as possible it would be necessary for China
10 grant special police powers over the territory
adjoining the railroad to the Russian govern
ment No objection raised to the exercise
when It was discovered that Russia had devised
a system of taxation which fell heavily the
residents of the railway zone. In number OF
instances the residents refused to pay the taxes.
and much unpleasantness was threatened, when
the British and American governments entered
a protest These protests resulted in discon-
tinuance of the taxes and Russia and China
Immediately began negotiations looking to
formal agreement to provide for control OF the
railroad
The agreement submitted TO Secretary Knox
to-day is the result of these negotiations. 1t
fers plenary police powers Russia and gives
her an authority tantamount to sovereignty over
the railway zone. No objection is made by the
State Department to the continued exercise by
Russia OF the powers she enjoyed originally, but
certain other arbitrary powers conferred
which SAVIOR too much OF political functions and
suggest too great an extension OF Russian con-
troll to satisfy Secretary Knox. The State De-
partment made its views known to the Russian
and Chinese governments some months ago, and
believed from the representations of Baron
Rosen that the agreement would be free from
any OF the Objectionable features which. Secre-
tary Root complained to the Russian AInbassa-
dor, would compel this country to protest
BRITAIN AGREES WITH AMERICA
The State Department has received intima-
tiOns that protest IL may make VIII be sub
scribed to by the British government and that
the British Foreign Office shares the view that
the terms of the agreement not In accord
ance with the original Russian lease with
the best interests of China her friends.
France and Germany have not yet committed
themselves. but it is known that neither desires
an unwarranted assumption of political power
in Manchuria by Russia.
Japan thus far has been silent Her position
is yet be ascertained but in view of the fact
that Japan is operating in Southern Manchuria
the southern division of the Chinese Eastern
Railway on conditions similar to those under
which Russia operates the northern division it
is a reasonable assumption that she will not
oppose any privileges Russia may obtain as
Stunning, Of course, that in due time the same
advantageous terms may be obtained by her
That the widely discussed treaty between
Japan and Great Britain has bee nbrogated or
has at least fallen into innOcuous desuetude
is the opinion Of more than diplomat in
Washington. Some even go so far as to suggest
the existence Of an entente, at least work.
ing agreement between Japan ana Russia as 10
the development OF Manchuria. No official of
the State Department would be so ndscreet
as to express opinion this subject, but 1t
Is known that at least official believes that
Japan and Great Britain no longer consult each
other as to Far Eastern affairs. The latest de-
velopments are taken furnishing at least
partial confirmation Of this opinion
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