New-York tribune., 1910-01-12
FAVOR KNOX PLAN
IT MAKES FOR PEACE.
Europe, While Well Disposed,
Is Waiting for Japan.

Paris. Jan. 1.-THE Temps gives as the
language OF the note of Secretary Knox.
Ito place the Manchu-ian railroads under
an economic, scientific and impartial ad-
ministration.''
The paper declares that the Chin-chow-
Flu concession, obtained by Willard D.
Straight the American Consul General at
Moukden, and the British representative
was granted by the Viceroy of Manchuria,
but was never sanctioned by the Peking
government, and that. therefore II is of
doubtful legality.
After suggesting that the American prop
ositions might be the outgrowth of the
closer relation which has sprung up be-
tween Russia and the United States since
Mr.. Taft's visit to ST. Petersburg. THE
Temps insists that the whole question is
too complicated TO expect early solu-
ton.
Frances position relative to the propo-
sition of the United States for the neutral
lzation of the Manchurian railways was
defined semi-officially to-day as follows:
France has political interest in the
question except to remain loyal to her
ally Russia, and to do nothing which
might offend Great Britain and Japan.
When those three powers have reached an
agreement France will follow in their
wake. If later an international financial
syndicate is formed, France will partici-
pate upon the condition that she is af-
forded a basis of absolute equality with
the most favored nation"
1t is learned that before submitting the
note, which consists of two separate propo-
stions-first, China's repurchase of the
Manchurian roads through the means of an
international financial syndicate; and. sec
ton of the Chino chow fu Tsitsilzhar rail-
road-tne United States secured the adhe-
sion in principle of Great Britain and
China without, however. their definite ac-
ceptance of the plan. 1t is believed here
that the second part OF the memorandum
has the better chance of success. and it is
assumed that the United States figures that
If this is accepted 1t will eventually entail
the acceptance OF the first part, upon the
theory that the junction Of two parallel
roads will prove necessary sooner or later.
St Petersburg Jan. 1.-THE Russ" in
its issue to-day, prints secret memoran-
dunn presented by Minister Of Finance
Kokovsoff to the Cabinet before his trip in
the Far East and which anticipates the
American proposal for the naturalization
of the Manchurian railways.
Discussing the Chinese pretensions 10 the
administration of the railroad zone which
he believed to be unjust, NJ. Kokovsoff said:
'If an insistence on our conditions is i'm
possible without risking a war. and we are
not prepared to support our demands with
arms then the sole solution appears to be
the liquidation of our concession after the
expiration of the term of our contract and
the completion of the Amoor railroad
The minister's reference to the expira-
ton OF the term of contract is to the date
1882, after which China will have the
right of purchase Continuing, NJ. Kokov-
soft said
Under these circumstances the most
satisfactory issue of the difficult relations
between Russia and China would be the
transfer of the administration Of the East
Chinese railroad to a special international
organization, each nation taking over a
part of our invested capital and a CORE
spending share of the guaranteed reve-
nues The date Of liquidation must de-
pend upon the construction of the Amoor
railway as otherwise Primorskaya Prov
ince would be cut off from Russia"
The Russ" is an enthusiastic advocate
OF the purpose of the memorandum, and
says that Russas answer will show
whether she intends to pursue an aggres-
sive policy in the Far East or TO abandon
finally the schemes Of ". Bezobrazoff and
the Abaza Company. The acceptance of
the American plan. the paper adds, would
guarantee the peace of the Far East, which
is indispensable to the United States.