The Hawaiian gazette., 1910-01-21
BRITAIN BACKS
KNOX PROPOSAL
Intimation at Toxic That the
Manchuria Road Will
Be Held.

PEKING, January SIT is stated
here that Great Britain has agreed in
principle to the American proposal for
the naturalization Of the Manchurian
railway.
TOXIC, January s.-The leading
newspapers disapprove of the accept
ance by Japan of Secretary Knox IS
proposition for the naturalization of
the Manchurian railways. The con-
sensus of opinion here is that the plan
is impracticable, because Japan would
not receive a benefit proportionate with
the sacrifice entailed.
Japan Is Slow to Act.
1t is held that the interests of the
japanese settlers in Southern Manchu-
ria could not be protected under such
an arrangement. Official circles re-
main noncommittal on the subject. 1t
is generally believed here that Russia
will decline to accept the American
suggestion. The newspapers will point
out that the commercial neutrality of
Southern Manchuria was guaranteed
by the treaty of Portsmouth.
The first information which the pub
lie had of the American note was con
tanned in extended news dispatches
from Washington printed this morn
ing. They were unaccompanied with
editorial EXPRESSIONS.
Although the members of the cabinet
and other government officials decline
to give the slightest intimation of their
official views, it may be stated with as
suIance that the Japanese government
is now comforting with Russia, and the
tenor of Japan IS reply will depend
largely on the position taken at St
Petersburg.
Toxic Statesmen Not Pleased.
1t is no secret that the Japanese
statesmen regard the American propo
sition as one which would be extremely
difficult to work out in practice. The
authorities insist that the attitude OF
their government is clearly and suf
ficiently outlined in the Portsmouth
treaty, the provisions of which they
assert have been carried out scrupu
, lousy.
There is no intimation as to when
JAPAN s reply to the note will be forth
coming, but there is reason to believe
that the government will not eoncedt
The necessity of change in existing
conditions, through which a claim Of
equal opportunity is afforded, unless, al
least, the contemplated project woult
| give the strictest guarantee for thu
future safeguarding of Japan's inter
ests in Manchuria.
The Japanese experts do not regari
the construction Of railroad from
Aigun, in Northern Maneburia, TO Chi
Cow Flu as a practical business propo
sition. In the American memorandum
Secretary Knox refers 10 the comes
sion for such line, which was oh
tanned some time ago by syndicate o.
Americans aud Englishmen, and add
that the enterprise will be supporte,
automatically by the American an,
British governments.
Plan OF Knox Denounced.
| Baron shibusawo, the noted econ
0misij Count Okuna, former forelgl
minister, aud Doctor Ilat0yama, d lead
er ~ the Conservative party, erprossel
themselves ~ mphaiiehlly opposed 4
SECRETARY hpnfh proposals. hafol
hbibunpNa said the plan could not b
carried out ,-ehiehy because " jealous
among the p0NeTi.
Count Oknna characterized tho rT0I
oslilon ~ lmpfnelleahle and nfbul0u,
pr tho Manehuflan lailNAya mufi y
heuifalleei WIS not all tho leilBay 4
fhinain M asked
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