New-York tribune., 1910-01-07
KNOX SEES SUCCESS
M4NCHURI4N PLAN
WELL RECEITED.
Russia and Japan WM Prob
ablg Join Other POsrers an
Increment.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. !

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington. Jan. e.-There is every indt-
cation that Secretary knox's most recent
move TO promote peace in the Orient by
neutrahzing the railroads of Manchurla
and placing the control in the hands OF
China by means of a lean from the powers
will be brought TO a successful issue.
The government OF Great Britain has al
ready approved in principle the project,
constituting no less than a new Oriental
policy the part of the United States. as
ft-Has suggested in Secretary Knox's note.
GERMANY and China cordially approve the
suggestion.
There is every reason to believe. accord
ing 10 Secretary Knox himself. that the
plan will receive favorable consideration
the part or Russia. No direct intimation
has been received from Japan. but the i'm
preston prevails generally there that the
Manchurian problem can be relieved only By
placing the railroads under neutral control.
The Manchurian railroads the concessions
fer which carry with them certain admin
isirative privileges. have been the mosL
prolific source of difficulty in the mainten-
arce OF the 'open door policy For sew
ersl years Russia has been at odds with
the rest OF the bowers because of her at
81 HsrbiE involving the question Of
ereignty. Japan finds herself in much the
same situation with relation to the powers
81 her operation OF Manchurian roads.
Within recent years The imperial govern
ment Of China has been in state of TO-
nent in it's relations with foreign nations;
Japan and Russia particularly, because OF
d.ssgreements arising from the operation
OF the Manchurian RAILWAYS
Secretary Knox in an interview to-day
explained that the anxiety OF the United
States TO secure a portion of the Iankow
Railway loan was 2 political. rather than
commercial or financial move.
THE PRESIDENTS INTEREST.
II was this consideration which prompted
President Taft 10 address a communication
directly TO Prince Chun, Regent of the en-
pire. in which ne reasserted his personal
J. terest in nakir 2 use of Al erican capital
In the development Of China's welfare with
cut entsnrlemeuts or embarra assments that
light affect the growth of her independent
POLITICAL power and the preservation Of her
territorial integrity.
Secretary Knox made this statement to-
day:
As is well known. the essential prin-
ciples OF the Hay policy Of the open door
J4risdictlonal integrity of the Chinese En-
plre and equal commercial opportunity in
CHINA for all nations. This government
peileNes that one OF the most effective ways,
II not the most effective way. to secure for
China the undisturbed enjoyment of all
political rights IN Manchuria and TO pro-
mote the normal development of the east
ern provinces under the policy of the open
door, practically applied would be to take
the railroads of Manchuria out of Eastern
politics and place them under an economic
and impartial administration by vesting in
funds for that purpose 10 be furnished by
the national banks of such interested pow
who are e6eed ~ TN noid, 10 ~ t ann
door and equal opportunity; the powers
participating 10 operate the railway sys-
tenn during the period of the loan. and to
enjoy the usual preferences in supplying
materials.
COOPERATION NECESSARY
Such policy would naturally require for
its execution the cooperation not only of
China. but also OF Japan and of Russia,
which already have extensive railway rights
N ManchuTla The advantages OF such
plan are obvious II would insure unim-
paired Chinese sovereignty, the CONNER
cisl and industrial development OF the Man
churlan provinces and furnish a substan-
iial reason for the early solution of the
problems Of fiscal and monetary reform
which are now receiving such earnest at
tention by the Chinese government
II would afford an opportunity for both
Russia and Japan TO shift their onerous
nection with these railways to the shoul-
deTs of the combined powers including
themselves. such policy moreover: would
or Manchuria. and in so doing make
large contribution to the peace Of the world
pE converting the provinces of Manchuria
into an immense commercial neutral zone.
St Petersburg, Jan. 6.-The Foreign Of
fee has taken no action on the memo
randurn f-eSeD-ed nv he I-p;tad
government relative TO the naturalization
~ the Manchurian railroads which has
been submitted for careful examination
conformity by the ministers OF Finance and
War. The ultimate attitude of Russia will
depend largely upon the reception of the
proposals by the other powers, and the de-
velopments in this matter will necessarily
consume a great deal Of time
The leading official in the Foreign Ofice
in an interview to-day stated that the pro-
posals were not regarded in any sense as
unfriendly or unwelcome and would be
approached from the standpoint Of practi-
cal possibilities and given attention COM
mensurate with the magnitude of the politi-
cal. economic and military questions in
volved
As Russia's policy in the Far East is de-
fensive and not aggressive. certain feat
ures outlined in the memorandum are de-
ridedlv advantageous. but the success or
failure OF the proposals will be determined
largely by the attitude Of Japan whose
portion Of the railroads is vital to the
scheme.
In reply 10 SIMILAR proposals from China
Russia had stipulated that the transfer
should occur after the completion OF the
Anloor Railway, but in the present case the
naturalization feature disposes of the
necessity Of such stipulation
London, Jan. s.-Great Britain has not
given as yet a formal reply to the pro-
posal of the United States for the neutrali-
zsfion OF the Manchurian railroads
though il has not been received unsympa-
theGcally.
II had been felt here for some time tha,
the railway situation IN Manchuria was one
OF the most dangerous elements Of Far
Eastern nolitics, and. in common with the
United States. Great Britain would be graft
fed % see the question settled.
However. il is realized that Russia and
Japan are more vitally Interested in The
subject. and while the Foreign Of5ce would
suggest 10 her ally and also TO Russia the
acceptance Of some such proposal as that
made by the government of the United