New-York tribune., 1910-01-06
TO SELL TO CHINA
FOREIGN RAILROADS
IN MANCHURIA.
United States Proposes Inter
national Syndicate to Fi-
nance Project.

ST Petersburg, Jan. 5.-The Russian
Foreign Office has received memoran
DUN from the United States government
proposing as a solution for the Man
churian problem the naturalization of
the railroads in Manchuria by their sale
TO China, financed by an international
syndicate. The United States invites
Russian participation in such a scheme.
The supervision OF the railroads would
be placed thereby in the hands of the
powers responsible for the financial ar
rangements, who would see that the
lines were conducted on q purely bust
ness basis and not used for political or
strategic purposes
when meeting was arranged at Har-
bin between NJ. Kokovsoff, the Russian
Minister of Finance. and Prince Ito,
President of the Privy Council of Japan.
in October last, the sale of the Russian
railroad interests in Manchurian terri
tory was being seriously considered.
The present plan differs from that pro-
posal by including the japanese, as well
as the Russian sections of the Harbin
and Dalny railroad. Its success is de-
pendent upon Japans assent.
RUSSIA RELUCTANT.
The advantages of such an arrange
ment from the point of view of interna-
tional relations are believed to be many.
1t would remove a constant source of
friction between Russia and Japan: the
doctrine of equal opportunity would be
safeguarded by the powers, and, by the
closing of the line to the transport of
troops and munitions, Russia's anxiety
with reference to a Japanese attack
upon Siberia would be relieved.
Russia, however, is not willing to ac-
cept the suggestion of the United States
government without giving the subject
the most careful study. An answer to
the memorandum may be expected, it is
announced, in a week, perhaps month,
for experts are now engaged in an in
vestigation of the whole matter, and the
Cabinet has taken cognizance of the
memorandum.
The American memorandum further
announces that a syndicate composed of
Americans and Englshmen has secured
the concession for the construction of a
railroad from Aigun, in Northern Man
churia, to Chin-Chow-fu and that the
British and American governments in
tend to support it diplomatically
OPPOSED TO NEW RAILROAD.
This part of the memorandum has been
received less favorably by Russia, for,
while no statement has been made re-
garding it, officials, in discussing this
feature, have asserted that Russia
would strenuously oppose the crossing of
the Russian railroad at Tsitsikhar. and
would be very unwilling for a railroad
to approach the weak Amoor frontier.
This would force a heavy concentration
of troops at Blagovestchensk.
The difficulties in connection with the
municipalities at Harbin apparently are
in fair way Of settlement. The United
States has intimated its desire to seek
an adjustment of the contentious clauses
of the agreement signed last May by
Russia and China, providing a method
of government for the Russian railroad
zone in Manchuria.
The agreement consists of eighteen ar
ticles 1t is based on the guarantee of
Chinese sovereignty, and fixes the prin-
ciple of joint administration. Recently,
however, several of the clauses have
been under reconsideration and the Rus
sian government is willing to accept any
fair basis of agreement suggested by the
United States.
Washington, Jan. 5.-State Department
officials maintain close secrecy in regard to
the diplomatic situation arising from the
era Of railroad construction in Manchuria.
Secretary Knox has been considering
carefully the treaty recently entered into
by China and Japan and relating to rail-
roads in Manchuria. 1T was reported
weeks ago that the United States would
protest to China and Japan against this
treaty on the ground that it interfered
with the equal opportunities" in Man
churia.