The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-17
OF . RUSSIA AND CHINA
 IN SERIOUS CLASH
Russia Says That She Will Make Military Demon
 stratiOn
WAR NOT EXPECTED
 BY THE DIPLOMATS
Russia Claims That China Has Vio- lated St. Petersburg Treaty and Prepares to Send Troops
 to the Frontier

I0DGsu. February 16.--The relations ot Russia and China are strained to the breaking point. Russia today notified tho governments of Great Britain. France and Germany of her intention to mako a military demonstration on the Russo Chinese frontier on account of China persistent violation of the St. Petersburg treaty of 1881.
 Russian troops will be sent forthwith to the district of Ili
 The extent of the demonstration, it h added in the diplomatic note will depend entirely upon the attitude assumed by China.
 The vital questions involved are fres trade in Mongolia, the extra territorial rights of Russians in China and the es- tablishment of consulate at Keobdo. Mongolia.
 There have been rumors recently of an intention by Russia to bring pressure to bear upon China because of alleged yio- lations of the Russo Chinese treaty. That the situation was acute, however, has been denied both by the Chinese foreign board and the Russian legation at Pekin. Nations Disagree l Il has been fdmitted that there were differences in the interpretations of the international agreement as made at St. Petersburg aff Pekin. The treaty adopt ed in 1881 expires this month and it has been reported that China was unwilling to renew it, at least not until certain notifications have been made. The exchanges have been closely guari- ed by both powers and what stage the negotiations have reached was not indi- cated until yesterday when the St. Pe- tersburg Gazette announced that an m- portant conference had been held at the war ministry to consider "China's per sistent fiouting of treaty stipulations. | The province of Ill., which had been occupied by the Russian troops since 1871, was restored to the Chinese by the treaty of 1851. Provision for the Russian innab, itants thereof on the date the treaty became effective was made in articles 3, 4 and as follows:
 A Provision
 The inhabitants of the country of Hi will be free to remain in the places ! of their actual residence as Chinese sub | jects or to emigrate to Russia and to adopt Russian dependence Russian subjects possessing land in the country of Ill will keep their rights of property even after the re-establish- ment of the authority of the Chinese gov ernment in that country This provision is not applicable to the inhabitants of the country of Hi. who shall adopt Rus sian nationality upon the re-establish- ment of Chinese authority in this coun- try.
 The western portion of the country of | III is incorporated with Russia In order | to serve as a place of establishment for the inhabitants of this country, who shall adopt the Russian dependence, and who by this action will have had to aban- don the lands which they possessed | there"
 | On the question of free trade in Mon- | goia, article F of the treaty says in | part:
 Free Trade Provisions Russian subjects are authorized to carry on as in the past trade free of duties in Mongolia, subject to China as well as in places where there is a Chinese administration, as In those where there | Is none. Russian subjects will equally enjoy the rights of carrying on trade freq 
 in the provinces of Ill, Tarbagatai, Kasi- gas, Urumtsi and others situated on the slopes north and south of the chain of | Tien Shan as far as the great wall This ! immunity will be abrogated when the de- velopment of the trade necesstates the | establishment of customs tariff con- | formable to become by the two govern | ments."
 | Washington, February 15.-Notice of Russia's intentions regarding China | reached the state department today | through the American embassy at St. | Petersburg. The Russian government promises the American embassy to ac- l quaint 1t with particulars of the indict- ments against China.
 I Russia Is Wrathy | It appears that the Russian govern | ment wearied of what it regards as per. slstept disregard by China of her treaty obligations toward Russia. Is about 10 bring pressure to bear to enforce hsr | rights, even to the extent of a military demonstration in the province of Hi. | The whole incident comes as a great | surprise to the diplomatic service in l Washington, for although it was known sharp Issues had arisen between Russia and China over conflicting claims Of jur- isdiction in Manchura and in connection
 
 | the situation was not regarded as crit | cal, and 1t generally was believed that in view of the deplorable conditions exist | ing in China as result of frightful | famine and the terrible ravages of the | rlague, Russia would generously defes pressing her claims to the extreme at this l time.
 War Not Expected
 That war will not result from the latest move Of the Russian government is the confident belief fin diplomatic circles here, for 1t Is generally understood that the Chinese are totally unprepared to meet such foe as Russia So 1t Is expected that China will appeal to the powers. in- cluding America. for fair play. What amount of support she will receive can- | not safely he foretold
 | It Is pointed out here that our gover,l- ment cannot act until 1t has examined tho | contentious on both sides, and before ] America could intervene in behalf of l China 1t would first have to make sure | that the country was guitless of such
 disregard of her treaty obligations as would warrant the Russian menace. should it be found that there Is ground l tor such action. 1t is entirely probable
 that the state department may use its good offices to avert war or the working | of great iniustces upon China by suggest. | ins a reference of the issue to The Hague l tribunal. Indeed. 1t may be that as ons --~>~--~------~---s~-----