Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-07-13
THE FAR-EAsTERN QUESTION.

The text OF the long-heralded Man
churian convention between Japan
and Russia. signed July at St. Peters
burg, was made public in Washington
last night. 1t is one OF the shortest inn
portant treaties of modern times, being
just 297 words in length. 1t follows:
''The imperial government OF Japan
and the imperial government OF Russia,
sincerely attached TO the principles
established by the convention con-
cluded between them in July, 1907,
and desirous to develop the effects OF
that convention with a view to the
consolidation OF peace in the extreme
east, have agreed to complete the SAID
arrangements by the following pro-
visions:
Article l. With the object of facili-
tating communication and developing
the commerce Of nations the two high
contracting parties mutually engage to
lend each other Their friendly co-opcra-
ton with Il view to the amelioration Of
their respective railway lines in Man
churia and the improvement OF the
connecting service OF the said railways,
and to abstain from all competition
prejudiccd to the realization OF this
object.
Article ?. Each OF the high con-
tracing parties engages to maintain
and respect the status quo in Ma alchurla
resulting from the treaties, conventions
and other arrangements concluded up
to this day between Japan and Russia.
or between either Of these two powers
and China. Copies OF the aforesaid
arrangements have been exchanged
between Japan and Russia.
Article 8. In case that any event
arises OF nature to menace the status
quo above mentioned, the two high con-
tracing parties shall in each case enter
into communication with eacl. other in
order to arrive ut an understanding as
to the measures they may Judge it nee
essary to take for the maintenance OF
the said status quo.
Baron Roscn, the Russian ambassa-
dor, stated in his note that he was
instructed in making the communica-
ton to express fully to the secretary Of
state the hope that he would find in the
convention, which was described rs re-
affirming Russia's peaceful relation
with Japan, and as being directed neither
against the interests of China nor those
of any other power, a new pledge Of
stability and general peace in the Far
East.
Ambassador Uchida, of Japan, in his
communication to the secretary OF State
said he was instructed TO make cores
ponding representations.
Just before the State Department
closed yesterday dispatch was re-
ceived from the American Embassy at
Toxic, setting forth more fully the at
titude Of Japan in drafting the new
treaty and seemingly disposing OF the
rumor that secret treaty had been
signed by the two countries.
Heralded as direct and powerful
blow at the United States, it is under
stood, although requests for state
ment OH the treaty by the State Depart
mcnt was refused, that officials Of this
government regard the convention it
self as little more than harmless ap-
pendage to the convention between
Russia and Japan in 1907.
1t is known that the British govern
ment agrees with the government Of
the United States that the open door
policy is substantially included in the
new treaty and that that policy must
be safeguarded in present and in future
arrangements. No doubt is felt that
the German government, which has CO.
operated with the United States recently
in the far East, takes the same view.