The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-06
IS MADE ID SOLVE PROBLEM Russia Has Chance to Settle Manchurian Question SYNDICATE IS PROPOSED American and British Control of Cen tralized Railways Is the Plan
 and Russia Asks Time
 For Inquiry.


 St. Petersburg, January 5.-The Russian foreign office has received memorandum from the United States government pro- posing as a solution of the Manchurian problem the centralization of the rail- roads in Manchuria by the sale of China, financed by an international syndicate. The United States invited Russian partic- ipation in such a scheme. The supervis- ion of the railroads would be placed thereby in the hands of the powers re- sponsIole for the financial arrangement, and they would see that the lines were conducted on a purely business basis ana not used for political or strategic pur- poses. In October last when a meeting was arranged at Harbin between NJ. Ko- kovsoff. the Russian minister of nnance, and Prince Ito, president of the privy council of Japan, the sale of the Russian railroad interests in Manchurian territory was being seriously considered.
 The present plan differs from that pro- posed by including the Japanese as well as the Russian sections of the Harbin and Dalny railroad. Its success is depend ent upon Japans assent. The advan- tages of such an arrangement from the viewpoint of international relations are believed to be many.
 It would remove constant source of friction between Russia and Japan, and the doctrine of equal opportunity would be safeguarded by the powers, and by the closing of the line to the transportation of troops and munitions, Russia's anxiety with reference to Japanese attack upon Siberia would be relieved.
 Russia, however, is not willing to ac- cept the suggestion of the United States the most careful study. An answer to the memorandum may be expected, it is an- nounced, in a week, perhaps a month, for experts are now engaged in an investiga- ton of the whole matter.
 The American memorandum further an- nounces that a syndicate composed or Americans and Englishmen has secured the concession for the construction of d. railroad from Aigun, in northern Man churia, to Chin Chow Flu. and the Brit ish and American governments intend to support 1t Automatically.
 l received less favorably by Russia, for, while no statement has been made re- garding 1t, officials, in discussing this feature, have asserted that Russia would strenuously oppose the crossing of the Russian railroad at Tsitsiihar and would be very unwilling for railroad to ap- proach the weak Amur frontier.
 This would force a heavy concentra- ton of troops at BlaSoviestchensk
 The difficulties in connection with the municipal affairs at Harbfn are appar- ently in a fair way to settlement. The United States has expressed desire to see an adjustment of the contentious clauses Of the agreement signed last May by Russia and China providing a meth cd government for the Russian railroad zone in Manchuria. The agreement con- sists of IS articles. It is based on the guaranty of Chinese sovereignty and fixes the principle of joint administration. Re- gently, however, several of the clauses have been under consideration and the Russian government is willing to accept any fair basis of agreement suggested by the United States.