RUSSIA AND MANCHURIA

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4407, 13 July 1901, Page 3 (Supplement)

RUSSIA AND MANCHURIA

ANOTHER SEMI-OFFICIAL KuSSLAin statement.

Hie semi-official “Journal do St, Petersbourg” publishes the following:The official communication, a Fi-nch translation of which wo printed yestorday, contains a detailed exposition of the attitude of Russia with regard to the Question raised bv the troubles which broke out last year in China. That attitude had already been very clearly set forth in previous official communications. The Russian Government adheres to them entirely, being actuated bv the principles which ~nidc the whole ot its policy, alike in the affairs of the Fast and in its relations with foreign Powers. The standpoint of the Russian Government in reference to the question pending was determined by its situation: in regard to China, Vhich is the neighbour of Russia, over a vast extent of frontier, and by a desire to restrict as far as possible the field of comply, cations in the Far East. Pursuing no purpose of territorial aggrandisement, and firmly resolved, in conformity with' its traditions, to uphold the principle of the integrity of the Chinese Empire, the Russian Government, in face or events in China, set itself 'at the outset a very limited task, from which it dmnot intend to deviate, its guiding motive' being regard for pacific and humanitarian considerations.

Acting in general accord withthe Powers, it took part in the ouera-, tions for the relief of the besieged Legations and foreigners, and assisted in preventing a renewal of tho disorders of l the past year, xxt the same time, it I held the opinion that in the claims to, be presented to China there was reason, for demanding only what was indispensable and practicable. Apart, however, I from tho questions in which all the! Powers had a common interest, was onej which had been created by the attacks, on places along the ji.ussian frontier, and by damage caused to the Chinese! Eastern Railway, for the' construction! of which a special agreement had been concluded between Russia and China. Tho Russian Government had been' obliged to send troops into Manchuria,! while entertaining none of those schemes of annexation which certain foreign 1 newspapers had wrongly ascribed to it, ! and pretending to no protectorate.

The railway in question is one of ( universal interest; but it is due to the effort* of llussia that it has comp to l be constructed. It was, therefore,! necessary to maito certain that the work' could be prosecuted in security, 1 and it was the obtaining of guarantees! in this respect that the Russian Gov--eminent had in view in the recent negotiations with the Chinese Government,! It is self-evident that no military mea-j sures for the gradual evacuation of Manchuria could be adopted until those 1 guarantees were given by China. Fromi the moment- when the conclusion of an arrangement to this effect became impossible by reason of the obstacles encountered by the Chinese Government, Russia, while abiding faithfully by her political programme, as laid down more than once, resolved to wait until a normal state of things is re-established’ in China, and a central Government, independent and sufficiently strong to i offer guarantees against the renewal of the recent disorders, is restored to power.