RUSSIA AND CHINA. .

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3190, 8 April 1911, Page 9

RUSSIA AND CHINA. .

CHINA’S GRAVE POSITION.

RUSSIA “PREPARING FOR EMERGENCIES.”

ST'. PETERSBURG, March 26. The Foreign Office to-day admits unofficially that the attitude of China concerning Russia's demands simply indicates that- China is still longer delaying the occupation of her territory. Russia does not look for sei’ious resistance, but is preparing for emergencies.

COSSACKS GETTING BUSY

DRIVING CHINESE FROM AMUR

VALLEY

LONDON, March 26. Reports from. Chinese ports state that the Cossacks are driving the Chinese from the Amur Valley, and the Chinese are retaliating by wrecking portions of tile Manchurian railway. That the British Foreign Office has apprehensions as to the gravity of the complications between Russia and China is j ejected in the jump to 15H per cent, at Lloyd’s of the premium against war before April 25. At first the figure was 5 per cent., and a day or two ago it rose to 10 per cent.

“THE GAME OF GRAB.” WASHINGTON, March 26. Referring to what they designate as “the game of grab in Asia.” a section of the press here holds that the United States may for a time choose to overlook the matter; yet the fact should not be ignored that China, which is not Sared ,to fight, has been stripped, out warning or justification, of a rich and expensive domain. RUSSIA’S GRIEVANCES. A recital of the specific violations of the Treaty by China would require several columns (recently stated the St. Petersburg correspondent of “The Times”). They have '.been aggravated by constant attempts to disregard other treaty obligations, notably those relating to the East Chinese Railway and to Consular jurisdiction over Russian subjects. Russia three years ago gave a positive, perhaps an excessive proof of her very friendly disposition towards China by surrendering her share in the municipal government of Harbin to the Chinese. Her conciliatory attitude was apparently misunderstood in Pekin. The strongest "representations having failed bo bring the Chinese Government to a sense of its obligations, Russia, is taking what promises to be a more effective method of enforcing respect of treaty rights Fl-om a military point of view, the ret-oecupation of Tli presents no difficulties I am’assured that the rumors that Russia is seeking a pretext for territorial acquisitions are groundless. The continuance of friendly relations between the two countries is incompatible with China’s attitude towards the Treaty' of 1881. The Russian Government. demands immediate recognition, specifically and collectively, of six points: (1) Her full right to impose export and import; duties within 50 versts of the frontier zone; (2) extraterritorial jurisdiction over Russian subjects except in civil cases, which are to he tried by mixed courts; (3) freedom of trade, and liberty to travel and reside for Russian subjects in Mongolia and on both slopes of the Tianshan (Celestial) Mountains north of the Great Wall • (4) appointment of Consuls at Ivobdo, Hami, and Hucheng; (5) proper facilities for Consuls within their jurisdiction; (6) right of Russian subjects to acquire land in all towns where Russia has or is entitled to have Consuls. The last five points are based on the Treaty of 1881. Failing China’s prompt compliance, Russia will consider that the Chinese Government is not desirous of maintaining neighborly relations based on the treatiesT The Russian Government reserves the right to vindicate the treaty provisions violated by China by such measures as may be necessary.