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RUSSIA AND MANCHURIA.
rs. In jour
THE HONGKONG KLY PRESS AND
(Daily Press, 28th April.) We take it from REUTER'S telegram which dny issue that some nuthoritative announcement has been made in Eŭropo concerni the attempt of Russia to obtain the acquiescence of the Chinese Government in an agreement which practi- cally concedes to Russia the sovereignty of the province of Manchuria. Our readers will remember that a few weeks ago we called attention to the publication of what purported to be the text of an agreement which the Russian Minister at Peking was alleged to be forcing upon the Chinese Government, and though it was not possible for us at the time to vouch for its authenticity, we intimated that it unques- tionably represented the ambitions of the Muscovite in Manchuria. Tuis agreement was not one in which Russia definitely brigade of four regiments only twenty-five of particular notice, that while Russia is
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claimed sovereignty over the proviuce: but set forth proposals which partook of the nature of a joint administration. In the first article Russia asked for the right to tax all guns, rifles, ammunition and other war materials that may be imported into Manchuria by the Russian and routes, the amount of the tax to be fixed after consultation between Russian and Chinese officials." In Clause II Russia pointed out how unnecessary it is for China to procure material for railway con- struction from abroad when she could establish large iron works at Kalgan for its manufacture-these presumably to be under the control of Russian experts. The next Clause set forth that owing to the increasing number of Russo-Chinese companies engaged in the exploitation of mines in Manchuria, Russia desired to establish at Harbin & Mining Bureau to deal with all questions relating to mining in Shengking, Hei-lung-kiang and Kirin. Russia further desired under this proposed Convention that all goods not mentioned in the existing tariff, whether imported into the Chinese Empire fron Siberia or exported to Russian territories by the land routes, should be entirely free of duty; and a further clause provided that Russia and China should unite in establishing Customs Houses at all important frontier towns in Manchuria for the collection of lutics. Finally the agreement asked China to concede five million square li of land in Mukden, Harbin, Kalgau and other places," for the as naively that the condities;
and it was
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added that the conditions contained in this Convention were to be regarded as special rights conceded to Russia, and that other Powers should not be assumed to have the right to claim equal privileges under the most-favoured. nation Clause in their respective Treaties.
May 4, 1903. character was laid by the Russian Minister Japanese war to deprive the victɔr of before the Peking Government for signa- part of her spoils. This Triple Alliance in ture. Though there has evidently beɔn a affairs Asiatic is shown by the present movement of troops in Manchuria, to make | incident to be by no means defunct. The it appear that Russia had not entirely German Press, the telegram informas ✩us, forgotten her engagements of a year declares that Germany has always regarded ago, we have had no information that Manchuria as a Russian sphere," and that these troops have been withdrawn those interested must settle mitters with over the frontier, but rather that they Russia themselves. Did Germany, we won- have been concentrated at various im- der, regard Manchuria as a Russian sphere portant strategie points and thus the when she assisted to wrest the southern Russian hold on the province has been province (Liaotung) from Japan in the strengthened rather than relinquished. interes's of
the Moreover, according to recent reports from
integrity of China"? Are the secrets of the German Foreign. the Tartár Jeneral of Moukden, the Russian Office being revealed? France is not men- military authorities have been raising tioned in the telegram: it is taken for regiments of Chinese troops to serve auxiliaries to the Russian garrisons. In a demands of her Ally in the north, and we as granted, perhaps, that she will support the report sent to the Peking Government last can but wonder whether any understanding month the Tartar-General stated that five exists by which Russia will, in return, support such regiments had been raised in the the aims of France in the South.
It is a re vicinity of the Yalu River, and another markable coincidence, and one well worthy preferring her demand for the right of sovereignty in Manchuria, France appears on the point of sending troops from Annam into the province of Kwangsi to assist in crushing the rebellion. We are told ou the one hand that th's is to be done at the request of the Governor of Kwangsi, while on the other it is asserted that the initiative is on, the part of France herself, who threatens to send troops over the frontier unless the rebellion is promptly put down. How far this intervention if it of the Governor of Kwangsi, and how far taltes place-is due to the genuine difficulties
to French designs remains to be seep, but it looks suspiciously like a repetition of the history of the French occupation of Chanta boon, in Siam. The French authorities. stepped in to assist in subduing native disorders in this strip of neutral territory
as on the Mekong River, and Chantabuon
miles distant from the city of Moukden, "The pay and rations of the Russianised troops are nearly three times more than those earned by the regular Chinese troops and with the exception of the higher officers who are Russians the regiments are Chinese. The most curious thing in regard to these new regiments is that the Russians belong. ing to them are all preparing to dress themselves up exactly like Chinese, so that outsiders will find it difficult in the future to distinguish Russianised regiments from the pure Chinese." General TSENG CH'I in his report, "is what This," adds Tartar makes me suspicious as to the ultimate motives of the Russians and herein lies the greatest danger to China in regard to her Manchurian possessions.”
ever since remained to all intents
and purposes French. A telegram from
our
Russia now considers the time has come when she can boldly show her hand. Per haps she has been forced to this decision by America's claim in her new Commercial Treaty for the opening of Moukden and Takusbau to foreign trade. This claim was made in order to test the soundness of
Shanghai correspondent tells us of mags meetings of Chinese convened to Russia's promise to maintain the open protest both against any intervention door in Manchuria; and that promise, it is now seen, does not stand the test. against further concessions to Russia in on the part of France in Kwangsi, and The door in Mauchuria is open only to Manchuria While such expressions of the Russian. And now that Russia has public opinion will doubtless assist the announced to the whole world the real nature Government to exercise all the care of of her aims in China, the development of which it is capable to maintain the events will be awaited with interest. The integrity of the Empire, we can hardly news must have come as a thunder-bolt feel confident that its integrity will on that into the British Foreign Office which has account be preserved. Russia seems to be ever shown a simple faith in Russian definitely bent on lopping off Manchuria promises that nothing has seemed to from the Chinese Empire, in spite of the shake. Whenever questions have been her assurances to the contrary, and the addressed in Parliament either to Lord signature of such an agreement as that LANSDOWNE or Lord CRANBORNE they have referred to by REUTER to-day, would mark revealed the most sublime faith in the the definite commencement of the partition- intentions of Russia to perform the obligning of China which all the Powers have tions contained in M. LESSAR'S. Convention. again and again solemnly pledged them- It is practically certain that the United selves to resist. Though in this agreement the Russian States, Great Britain and Japan will Minister refers to Manchuria as part of the present a firm note to China insisting on Chinese Empire, it is to all intents and the rejection of the Russian demands, but purposes un agreement cede the in our judgment the ultimate success of sovereignty of the province 15 Russia. As Russia's desigas is irresistible. The three we buye again and again jointed. ont, it Powers may stiffen the back of the Chinese was impossible for anyone believe for Government to the extent of enabling it nmoment that Russ would fulfil the to say "No" to the Russian proposals; terms of the Manchurian Convention but it seems to us that Russia has so signed in Peking a year ago. Every firmly secured her position in Manchuria foreign observer who has travelled in that the process of “nssimilation" will Manchuria during the last twelve months steadily proceed whether China consents and taken stock of the way in which or not. Are the three Powers prepared to Russin was taking advantage of her op. give anything more than moral support to portunity to Russianise the entire province, China? That is the question. has been absolutely convinced that the Russia would scarcely have dared to go obligations in M. LESSAR Convention the length she has in her defiance had she would never be honestly fulfilled. Before not all along been assured of the support of this Convention was a year old, it appears, her allies in that Triple Alliance which came another Convention of a widely opposite into existence after the close of the Chino
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A great firs occurred at Bangkok on the 17th alt. when twenty acres of houses were destroyed. A number of men and women were gambling in a private honse, and during a dispute a kero- overturned salting fire to the building. Water sene lamp on the gaming table was accidentally
was poured upon the burning finid which, öf course, helped to spread it. His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, several Royal Princes and a number of leading Siamese nobles cams to the scene in their carriages and took a keen interest in the opera concerned at the lamentable destruction and tions of the firemen. His Majesty was greatly
self to the utmost in directing the eff rts danger of the fire and personally exerted him- tho39 engaged in combatting the flames. Siamese woman and an Indian lost their lives in the fire. The total loss is roughly estimated at one million ticals,
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