Russia, like the papacy, lays her schemes years in advance, and bides her time to bring about their execution. It is well known that this great Power has had “her covetous eye upon the Chinese province of Manchuria for more than a century,” and also that for a long time she has had that rich province “practically within her grasp.” The recent Boxer rebellion furnished to Russia the long-desired pretext to get a still firmer hold upon Manchuria. Accordingly, she has endeavored to force upon China a secret agreement which would practically transfer the province in name, as well as in fact, to Russia. This pact, which China has so far refused to sign, consists of the following twelve original articles:—
1. The Russian emperor, willing to forget the recent hostilities in Manchuria, consents to allow China to resume the entire civil government of Manchuria as before.
2. Owing to the present unsettled state of the country, the number of Russian soldiers policing the railway shall be augmented until the pacification of the country is complete, and the last four clauses of the present convention are in operation.
3. In the event of disturbances, the Russian garrisons will assist China in quelling them.
4. China having attacked Russia, and the Chinese troops having dispersed, China undertakes to station no troops in any place where the railroad is not completed or begun. Russia will determine the number of Chinese police patrols to be employed; the importation of arms into Manchuria is forbidden.
5. The high officials implicated in the recent disturbances are to be degraded. Russia will furnish the names. Russia will determine what arms the police shall carry. Artillery is forbidden. No nationals of any other country can resume official duties in Manchuria.
6. No nationals of any other country except Russia can be employed for drilling Chinese soldiers or sailors in North China [literally, in the northern places of China].
7. Referring to Article 5 of the Port Arthur Convention, local officials shall draft the necessary rules as soon as possible. [This simply means that, while Chinese officials shall be appointed in Manchuria, including the Leao-tong, no Chinese troops shall enter.] The Chinese jurisdiction at Kiaochou ceases.
8. In Manchuria, Mongolia, and Chinese Turkestan no railway, mining, or other concessions shall be granted to the nationals of any other Power, nor can China herself construct any railroad. No land excepting Neuchwang can be leased to foreigners.
9. As regards payment of an indemnity for her military expenditure, Russia shall act in conformity, and be paid in conjunction with the other Powers, the terms and conditions to be subsequently determined.
10. As regards payment of the indemnity for the destruction of the Trans-Manchurian Railway, China shall arrange with the railway company itself.
11. The railway indemnity shall be paid in full or a commercial concession accepted in part payment.
12. China, having assented to Russia’s expressed intention of constructing a railroad direct from Manchuria to Peking, herewith confirms her assent.
Russia has since modified these twelve articles as follows:—
First: Kiaochou and Port Arthur shall not be annexed, but shall be leased from the Chinese government as heretofore.
Second: Russia will not insist upon there being a Russian resident [ambassador] at Mukden.
Third: The Chinese army will be permitted to maintain order in Manchuria prior to the completion of the Manchurian railway, which, while in course of construction, will not necessarily require the protection of Russian troops.
Fourth: Russia will forego her demand that mining and railway concession in Mongolia, Turkestan, and Kashgaria shall be granted to none but Russian subjects. Russia stipulates, however, that none but Chinese and Russians shall be allowed to undertake such enterprises.
All the great world Powers, Japan excepted, offer no protests against Russia’s aggressions in Manchuria. Many Chinese viceroys and governors have promised to aid Japan in every way possible, against Russia, even to the extent of placing “the telegraphic communications and transport facilities at her disposal.”
