Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-20
Reasons for Formers Silence
Concerning the Orient.
DUE TO KNOX INITIATIVE
Not Ready to Endanger Understand
ing With Toxic by Discussing
Open Door in Manchuria.

Special Cablegram to The Star.
ST. PETERSBURG, March 19-The I'M
expected declaration of NJ Isvolsky, the
Russian minister of. foreign affairs, at q
meeting Of the duma, that he did not
think it advisable to ask the permission
of the car to address the house on the
merits of Russia.s. foreign policy during
this years debate on the state depart
ment appropriation. was directly due to
the recent initiative OF Philander c. Knox,
the, American Secretary OF State. in re-
gard to the neutrality of the Manchurian
railways and the practical open door OF
that country.
Most Russians have acuuesced reluc-
family in NJ. Isvolsky's silence from a
knowledge that a harmonious arrange
ment with Japan is at present an in
dispensable condition for the pursuance of
the Russian policy in eastern Europe AS
constitutional democratic leader put it
in the duma:
The Russian Program.
Macedonia Is to Turkey as Manchuria
is to China Russian diplomacy does not
believe that Turkey will be able to re-
tain Macedonia any more than it be-
lieves that Manchuria will remain part
of the Chinese empire, but it would be
ruinous to the Russian policy If the Mace
DOMAIN and Manchurian problems came
to crisis at the same time.
The principle which Russia shares with
Japan at the present phase Of the situa-
ticn in the orient Is that it is undesira-
bic that foreign capital should be lent
to the Chinese government. This atti-
tude is held Irrespective OF the merits of
any! particular railroad CONSTITUTIONAL en-
terprise. Japan in particular does not
wish any optimists to be near old China s
bedside when she tries to give birth to a
reformed constitution. Any one who lent
siderable sum might assume that during
the administrative crisis the attitude OF
Japan is that she does not want China
to meet these obligations.
According to well informed Russian re-
ports. japan is really faring badly In
her. Asiatc and continental policy. She
is irritating everybody in a commercial
way without making any Roadway from
political standpoint The Chinese re-
form movement is led by students who
stiles. but who are now leading an anti
Japanese campaign In China. England is
undoubtedly supporting Russia in ma
neuvering for an extension Of time before
the Manchurian question and the entire
Chinese policy have to be decided.
+, Relying on England.
Russia is encouraged to expect that
If any reforms are put through expedi-
tiously, England will make her definite
proposal for cooperation at about the
date of the end of the Anglo-Japanese
alliance. At that time Japan would be
expected ITO smodify her methods sand
join in the arransement or lock for a
rival combination in continental Europe,
presumably with Germany. II
The present action OF Russia and ia
pan is evidently based on the conviction
that the direction Of Chinese policy is in
weak hands. and that the projected con-
stitutional regime in the fowery kingdom
is doomed to failure They are, in fact
partitionists. as against the American
policy Of Chinese integrity, and an equal
opportunity for all foreigners. otherwise
the -"Open door,. = lszG 1l's,.%