the Treaty rights of any other Power were affected by the proposed Agreement; that it was of a provisional nature, and a necessary preliminary to the Russian troops evacuating the province. Its early signature was desired by his Excellency in order that the unjust suspicions aroused by false reports with regard to it might be removed by its publication.

Nr. 13055. CHINA. Die Kabinettsminister an den Gesandten in London. Ablehnung des Mandschureivertrags.

Cabinet Ministers in Singan-fu to Sir Chihehen Lofêngluh.

cated by Sir Chihchen Lofêngluh, March 29, 1901.)

(Communi

Shanghae, March 28, 1901.

(Translation.) || (Telegraphic.) | We have followed the advice of Lord Lansdowne, in not giving our authority to sign the Manchurian Agreement. In your telegrams of the 20th and 23rd instant, you have assured us of the moral support of England if we followed her advice.|| Our Plenipotentiaries, Prince Ch'ing and Viceroy Li, report that Russia will now permanently occupy Manchuria, and that the collective negotiations will have to be suspended. The Court feel great anxiety about this matter. As Manchuria is the cradle of the present dynasty, how could China tolerate a permanent foreign occupation of that region? We now apply for the positive assistance of England in bringing about a satisfactory settlement between China and Russia, in order to avoid a rupture with that Power, which could not fail to be detrimental to the interests of China and the Treaty Powers. Please lay the contents of this telegram before Lord Lansdowne and request an immediate reply.

Nr. 13056. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Der Botschafter in Petersburg an den Minister des Ausw. Mitteilung des Journal Officiel" über die Verhandlungen mit China.

St. Petersburgh, April 5, 1901. (April 5.) (Telegraphic.) || To-day's Official Messenger" contains long communiqué regarding recent events in China. First part recapitulates course of negatiations between allied Powers and China, which are as yet not concluded. Second part states that the Imperial Government, while awaiting the solution of questions interesting all the Powers, considered it necessary to apply themselves to the task of restoring order in the

provinces adjoining Russian territory, and with this object a modus vivendi for the restoration of the local Civil Government in Manchuria was come to between the Russian military authorities and the Chinese. Meanwhile, after careful consideration of circumstances of recent outbreak so harmful to Russian interests, the Imperial Government drafted a separate Agreement with China to regulate the gradual evacuation of Manchuria, and at the same time obviate the recurrence of the events of last year. Unfortunately, mendacious and alarming reports as to the character and scope of this Agreement were circulated in the foreign press. Serious obstacles were raised to China's concluding the Agreement, in consequence of which it became impossible to carry out the proposed measures for gradual evacuation. As regards the definite restoration of Manchuria to China, it can obviously only take place upon the re-establishment in the Empire of a normal state of things and in Peking of a Central Government independent and sufficiently strong to prevent the recurrence of recent events. While maintaining the present temporary organization in Manchuria with the object of insuring order on the Russian frontier, but remaining absolutely true to their original programme, as repeatedly formulated, the Imperial Government quietly await the further progress of events. Text follows by post.

Nr. 13057. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Der Botschafter in Petersburg an den Minister des Ausw. Rußland nimmt die Verhandlungen mit China wieder auf.*)

Peking, August 14, 1901. (August 14.)

(Telegraphic.) || Russia, although it is denied by her, is resuming her negotiations with China to bring about the signature of a Manchurian Agreement. This I have from a thoroughly trustworthy source. || The text of the Agreement is that which I telegraphed to your Lordship on the 6th and 19th March. || I am sending copy by next bag.

Nr. 13058. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Der Minister des Ausw. an den Botschafter in Petersburg. China soll den Mächten die russischen Forderungen mitteilen.

Foreign Office, August 16, 1901.

(Telegraphic.) || I have received your telegram of the 14th instant. You should inform the Chinese Government or Viceroys, if they ask for *) Vgl. Bd. 66 S. 180. Red.

our advice with regard to the new Manchurian Agreement, that the proper course for the Chinese Government to pursue will be to call the attention of the Powers to the matter and to communicate the text of the provisions in question, should they prove inconsistent with the Treaty obligations of China to other Powers, or with the integrity of the Chinese Empire. || In that event, we shall be ready to advise whether an infraction of our Treaty rights is involved, or whether the provisions are objectionable in any other way.

Nr. 13059. GROSSBRITANNIEN.

Der Gesandte in Peking an

den Minister des Ausw. Übersendet den russischen Entwurf über die Mandschurei und die mehrfachen Änderungen daran.

Peking, August 21, 1901. (October 14.)

(Extract.) | With reference to my telegram of the 14th instant, I am reliably informed that as soon as the Final Protocol is signed, the Russian negotiations with regard to Manchuria will be resumed either here or at St. Petersburgh. A copy of the Chinese version of the latest form of the Convention which it is proposed to conclude was communicated to me recently, and I have had it collated with the original terms, and also with the alterations introduced about March last, for convenience of reference. I have the honour to inclose herewith, for your Lordship's information, copy of the document in which this is done. The first column contains a new translation of the original terms proposed by the Russian Minister, the second shows the alterations made up to March last, and the third gives the latest wording.

Anlage.

Convention relating to the Retrocession of Manchuria by Russia.

Manchuria, and agrees to restore the whole of that country to China, to be administered in all respects as of old.

Article II.

By the 6th Article of the Manchurian Railway Agreement the Railway Company was authorized to guard the line with troops. The country being at present in disorder, the number of those troops is insufficient for the purpose, and a corps must be retained until order is restored, and China has

executed the last four

Articles of the present
Convention.

Article III.

In case of emergency the troops retained in Manchuria shall render every possible assistance to China in preserving order.

Article IV.

Chinese troops having been the greatest aggres

Article IV.

With a view to the protection of the Man

Article IV. Chinese troops having been the greatest aggressors in the recent attacks sors in the recent attacks churian Railway and the on Russia, China agrees on Russia, China shall, Railway services, and not to organize an army with a view to the protecuntil the railway is tion of the Manchurian completed and opened Railway works and ser

in order to prevent disorder on the Russian frontier, China shall con

to traffic. When mili- vices, and in order to sult with Russia in tary forces are organized prevent disorder on the fixing the number of eventually, their numbers Russian frontier, consult troops in Manchuria and shall be fixed in consul- with Russia in fixing the their stations. The imtation with Russia. The number of troops in portation of arms and importation of arms and Manchuria and their munitions of war into munitions of war into stations. The importa- Manchuria shall be reManchuria is prohibited. tion of arms and muni- gulated in accordance

tions of war into Man- with the Agreement with
churia shall be regulated the Powers; for the pre-
in accordance with the sent China shall her-
Agreement with the Po- self prohibit such im-
wers; for the present portation.
China shall herself pro-

As a measure for the

Article V.

As a measure for the

As a measure for the preservation of Man- preservation of the coun- preservation of the counchuria China shall dis- try, China shall remove try, China shall remove miss from office, all from Manchuria all from Manchuria all Generals-in-chief (Tartar Generals-in-chief (Tar- Generals-in-chief (Tartar Generals) and high offi- tar Generals) and high Generals) and high officials whose actions con- officials whose actions cials whose actions conflict with friendly rela- conflict with friendly flict with friendly relations, and who are de- relations, and who are tions and who are denounced for that reason denounced for that rea- nounced for that reason by Russia. China may son by Russia. China by Russia. The numbers organize mounted and may organize infantry of mounted and foot foot police in the interior and cavalry forces in the police organized in the of Manchuria, but their interior of Manchuria interior of Manchuria numbers shall be fixed for police purposes, but shall be fixed in conin consultation with their numbers shall be sultation with Russia. Russia. Cannon shall fixed in consultation with Until peace is completely be excluded from their Russia. Until peace is restored, cannon shall armament, and no sub- completely restored, can- be excluded from their jects of another Power non shall be excluded armament, and only Chishall be employed in the from their armament, nese shall be employed execution of the func- and only Chinese shall in the execution of the

tions.

be employed in the functions.