Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1916-01-13
Russia Wants Part Of China.


Russia's desire to control that por-
ton of northern Manchuria through
which the Trans-Siberian Railway
runs Is uppermost in the minds of all
Russians In the Hardin section, and
they are constantly expressing the
hope that the European war will re-
suit in such a readjnstment In the
affairs of the Far East that Russia
may gain actual possession Of the
territory through which its railway
passes.
Although Hardin has an immense
Chinese population, 1t is almost as
Russian in its architecture and in the
manners and customs of its people as
city in the very heart Of Russia.
The other cities and towns along the
Trans Siberian line in Manchuria are
also practically Russian in everything
but name. The Russian assumption
of authority, In fact, in such that the
German prisoners who may have es-
capped from Siberia are frequently
seized in Chinese territory by Rus
sian soldiers. The Russians have
even taken the escaped German pris-
oners away from Chinese soldiers
who were protecting them in Chinese
territory. This has called forth bit
ter complaints from Germans in Man
ehuria.
Conditions In Mongalia, south of the
Trans Siberian Railway, are much
the same as in that part of Manchu-
ria through which the railway actu-
ally runs. Russians have practical
~ all the trade in Mongolia, especial
~ the northern part, and it is in eff
feet Russian dependency rather
than a Chinese territory.
The Kutuku, the head of the Budd-
hists in Mongolia, who is resident at
Urga and who is the most powerful
leader in Central Asia, negotiated an
agreement last June by which China's
nominal ~ O1rfo IL,
was to be recognized, but he has re-
Gently refused to carry out terms of
the agreement. Although Russia, as
well as China, was a. party to the
agreement. it is charged by some
Chinese officials that the Kutuktu
has been influenced in some way by
the Russians who desired to create
friction. The Monaghan people,
themselves. have frequently endeavored
to get Russian to recognize them as
an independent state and defend them
AGAINST China and Japan. Chinese
officials are endeavoring 20 persuade
the Kutuktu to carry out his agree
ment. but 1t is reported that Chen-lo,
the Chinese diplomat who Is at Urga
conducting the negotiations is held
practically a prisoner by the Buddhist
leader.
Outer Mongolia is now also In q
state of ferment. Bandit companies
are operating all along the border Of
ShlnA proper, ana apparently have
recently gained much strength. With
an internal struggle on hand, the
Chinese army is not in a position to
do much in Mongolia. Japanese arms
and ammunition have reached the
bandits in large quantities. Repre-
sensations concerning this traflc have
been made to the Japanese govern
ment whose reply has been that
Japan has no control Of private ship
ments of arms.
Manchuria has made very slow pro-
gress in an agricultural way and fs
far less prosperous than portions Of
Siberia where the Russians have col
cnized. The Chinese farm with lit
tie idea of developing the country
permanently. Manchuria, however, Of
| fere far better opportunities to the
Rnseians than siberia, as the climate
/ 10 rloce favorahie and markets are
better. It is a comparatively short
| haul from any point Of Manchuria to
| tidewater