In regard' to the report' that formal negotiations will shortly be opened for the settlement of the Ghinese Eastern. Railway issue, a spokesman of the Foreign Office declared this "morning that an agreement had actually been reached.betvieen the Russian and Chinese Aelogates regarding the joint declaration to be issued by botlr Governments and the question in eonnestion with the appointment of the railway's) general and associate managers, but an unexpected: change of; attitude on the part of Rossia made any. immediate. settlement' of the Sino-Russian- situation impossible, "With some slight modifications both sides" the spokesman: continued, "A final draft, of: the joint declaration was accepted by both Governments. The joint declaration, however, gould not be issued, or made public, before: an_ agreement could be reached in connection with the appointment of the railway's general and associate managers. Russia proposed that the new managers be appointed immediately, while China insisted thet no apointment be made before the opening of formal negotiations. An arrangement, however, was later made which was satisfactory o both Governments.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.