The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1894-09-14
WILL Be NEUTRAL
Treaty Obligations Of the United
States With the Eastern
Nations
WILL Be DULY OBSERVED.
Attempt of Great Britain to EmbrOil
This Country in Serious
Trouble.

chapter of secret diplomatic history has
just come to light in connection with
the triangular wal between China.
Japan, and Corea. The United States
have narrowly escaped being drawn into
an entangling alliance of a most danger
GUS character-an alliance which was
prevented by the firm stand taken by
the president and Secretary Gresham
at a time when the remainder OF the
cabinet was in doubt as to the best
course to pursue.
Official and private advices received
here indicate plainly that Great Britain
China has already formed an alliance with
in the war which has now begun be-
tween the Flowery Kingdom and Japan.
As yet this alliance has not taken the
form Of a treaty, or even Of diplomatic
protocols, but it is nom the less a thor
ough understanding between the two
countries, which has been made the basis
of diplomatic representations on the part
Of Great Britain to the United States
and to several European powers.
An effort was made by the British
| minister to induce the United States
government to become a part of this al
lance by adopting measures not only
looking to the protection of commerce
in the Orient but the actual seizure of
the treaty ports. Secretary Gresham
was not greatly impressed with the rep
reservations made by Sir Julian Paunce-
fote, but as the matter was one of the
first Importance he laid it before the
president and the cabinet. Whether Sir
Julian had adroitly managed to impress
the members of the cabinet through in
direct means is not known, but a strong
sentiment in favor of a united action of
the powers to keep the treaty ports open
soon manifested itself.
In opposition to these views Secretary
Gresham contended strongly that the
United States had no interests whatever
at stake, and should, therefore, not med.
die in the affair. He pointed out that in
the entire kingdom of China there were
but LOO Americans, nearly all Of whom,
aside from the missionaries, we're en-
ployed in British commercial houses.
The trade of the United States with the
Orient was so inconsiderable as to form
no incentive whatever to make any de.
m%onstration intended for the benefit OF
the commerce of the world.
The British minister was much disap.
pointed at the result of the negotiations
So confident was he at n time that the
United States would decide to send a
large fleet to the Asiatic station to join
in an active demonstration with Great
Britain that he spoke Of the prospect to
others, and rs a result a positive state.
ment found it's way into the newspapers
that the United States would join in the
enterprise. The setback to Great Brit.
ain has been conclusive, 90 far as the
United States are concerned, but from
advices recently received here it is ap'
parent that Great Britain is leaving nc
stone unturned to assist China without
making an open alliance.
In the meantime the United States
will preserve a strict neutrality, observ
ing rigidly their obligation to all tht
combatants and avoiding any European
alliance,