During the past week the air has been full of
rumours as to Russian action in Manchuria, it being alleged that the Russians were pressing the Chinese to agree to terms which would have turned Manchuria into a Russian province, from which all foreign trade would be excluded. This alleged action led to very severe comment in the American Press, and it was also stated that the State Department at Washing- ton bad made a formal protest. What is the exact truth about these alleged conditions it is difficult to say, but in the welter of assertion and contradiction we cannot do better than quote the actual words of Lord Lansdowne's answer to a question as to the newspaper reports addressed to him by Lord Spencer on Thursday evening. Communications between the Russian and British Governments were still passing, said Lord Lansdowne, "but in the meanwhile we have received from sources the authority of which we can- not question information to the effect that the Russian Government have laid information that they have no know. ledge of the reported Convention, and that they disclaimed all intention of seeking exclusive privileges in Manchuria or of departing from the assurances given with regard to the province."
