Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] TUESDAY, JAN. 19, 1904. Manchuria.

Manawatu Herald, 19 January 1904, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] TUESDAY, JAN. 19, 1904. Manchuria.

The action of America in pressing on the negotiations for the commercial treaty with China is remarkable. The treaty is practically an agreement that the policy of the open door shall be observed in Manchuria, and provides for the appointment by the various Powers of consuls who shall have the' duty of seeing that everybody gets fair play. The treaty, together with that entered into by Japan, destroys Russia’s scheme for commercial monopoly in Manchuria. In the case of Japan it is easy to understand the motive, but it is not quite so easy to see what America’s attitude is,

We know, of course, that she stands committed to support the policy of the open door, which was originally announced by Great Britain. But if there is one thing more certain than another it is that Russia does not mean to be governed by that policy in her administration of Manchuria. Now and again, it is true, the Russian Government speak of encouraging trade at Port Arthur, but the testimony of those who have recently travelled in that region proves that by trade they mean Russian trade. Eor example, an English resident not long ago wrote to an English journal, stating that there could be no doubt that the Russian soldiery at Nieuchwang were encouraged to treat members of every foreign community as interlopers. “A British or American merchant,” he says, “ and preferably a Britisher, for he is rendered an easier prey, is found to have some merchandise to transport from the shipping. He has engaged a number of Chinese carts to carry his goods. Russian soldiers are told off to intercept these, and commandeer them. The object is clearly to frighten away foreign trade, or to force it under Russian protection.” And this is at Nieuchwang, the terminus of what was once a Britishowned railway. In the face of this determination to harrass and hinder trade the Americans have forced on China a treaty by which certain ports are opened to trade and certain privileges conferred on Europeans. It is impossible not to wonder whether they know what they are doing. Is it all mere empty bravado or are they prepared to insist on the performance of the treaty? And if China pleads her powerlessness are they prepared to take the necessary steps to compel Russia to give way ? It certainly looks as if there were some unwritten understanding between Japan and America, and that the latter is backing the former in her claims for freedom of trade in Manchuria.

There is no doubt that the action

of America must have an important bearing on the position of matters in the Far East. Russia has always shown herself peculiarly anxious to secure the goodwill, or, at all events, the neutrality of the United States, while the efforts of Count Cassini to embroil Great Britain and America are still within our memory- Russia certainly could not face an alliance of Japan with the two great AngloSaxon Powers,