New-York tribune., 1910-01-09
TO SEEK RUSSIAN AID.
japanese Statesmen and Press
Oppose Knor's Plan.

Toxic. Jan. S-Baror Sh,busawa ire
Noted economist: Count okuma. former
Foreign Minister, and DR.. Hatcyarna ore
of the leaders of the Seivukai. or Conserva-
tive PARTY. to-day expressed themselves
emphatically opposed TO Secretary Knox's
proposals.
Baron Shibusawa. who was the head OF
the Honorary japanese Commercial Com
missiouers who recently visited the United
States, said that the plan could not be car
ried out chiefly because OF jealousy among
the powers.
Count Okuma secuted the entire propoei-
tion as impractical and nebulous. He said:
"If the Manchurian railways must be neu-
tralized. why not an the railways In
China?"
The same opinion vas given By NJ. SeinO,
director of the South Manchurian Railway.
The leading newspapers disapprove OF the
acceptance by Japan Of Secretary Knox
suggestion. The consensus of opinion here
is that the plan is inlpracticable because
Japan would not receive benefit proper
tionats with the sacrifice entailed.
1t is held that the interests Of the Japan
ese settlers in Southern Manchuria could
not be protected under such an arrange
rnent
The first information which the public
had OF the American note was contained in
extended news dispatches from Washington
printed this morning.
Although the members OF the Cabinet and
other government officials declined to-day
to give the slightest intimation Of their
official views. IL may be stated with assur-
ance that the Japanese government is now
comforting with Russia, and the tenor of
Japan's reply will depend largely upon the
position taken at 81. Petersburg
1t is no secret that the Japanese states
men regard the American proposition as
one which would be extremely difficult to
work out in practice. The authorities in
sist that the attitude of their government
is clearly and sufficiently outlined in the
Portsmouth treaty. the provisions of which
they assert have always been carried ou,
serupulously. There is no iatimation OF
when Japan's reply TO the note will be
forthcoming. but there is reason 10 believe
that the government will not conceda the
necessity of a change IN the existing condi-
tfons. through which a claim OF equal on
portunity is afforded. unless, at least. the
contemplated project would give the strict,
est guarantee for the future safeguarding:
of Japan's interests in Manchuria
The Japanese experts do not regard the
construction OF a railroad from Aigun. In
practical business proposition In the
American memorandum Secretary Knox
refers 10 the concession for such a line
which was secured some time ago bv a
syndicate OF Americans and Englishrnen.
and adds that the enterprise will be sun
ported automatically by the American and
British governments.
Peking, Ian S.-A disagreement between
Japan and China has arisen over the sub
Ject OF Co-ean immigration into Chientao.
The intended opening OF Hunchun, Man
churia, and also the markets os Chientao
10 International trade has been DELAYED bv
the dispute 70 the tarifr 10 be collected
NJ. KoKOvsoff. Russian Minister OF Finance
has notified the Chinese government that
Russia stands on treaties antedating that
Of Portsmouth. and which give her a spe-
ciaI tariff rate ct the ports in question
NJ Ijuin, Japanese Minister 70 China has
now officially notified China that japan
claims equal rights with Russia.
Customs revenues in ManChuria increased
- per cent in 1909 over the previous year
The revenues for Gi China were larger last
year than in sny wear since lqS