Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-22
Authorities Sounded on the Eastern
Question.
ENGLAND WANTS RUSSIA CHECKED
China Would Welcome a Move
ment by This Country.
AGGRESSION NOT LIKELY

There is doubt that the authorities
here have been unoficially sounded as to
the attitude of the United States toward
the complications in the far east with a
view TO learning whether American inter-
ests in China are not sufficient to warrant
active steps by this government.
The source of the inquiries is not disclos-
ed If from Great Britain they must have
come through Col. Hay, the American
ambassador at London as the British Off
Gals here have received no Instructions as
to the Chinese situation. 1t is well under
stood. however, that Great Britain would
look with favor on any active step by the
United States which would serve to check
the advances of Germany and Russia The
British interests in China are probably ten
times greater than those of Germany Rus
STA and the United States, and yet, with
Germany and Russia firmly located on Chi
nese soil, Great Britain is left in a sort of
cul-de-sac.
1t is known also that the Chinese au-
thorities would welcome movement by the
United States This fact has been made
known to officials here, and there is reason
To believe il has been represented to them
that a DISTINGUISHED step by this country
would place the relations between the
United States and China on the staunchest
footing.
Our Interests.
Although these soundings have not yet
taken official form, they have been suf-
ficieat to draw close attention to the Ameri-
can interests which are involved and
to cause pretty general understanding as
to the attitude of the government. This in
brief, is that the United States has no in
tercst in territorial extension now going on
In China; that she will not land forces at
any or the coast ports OF CHINA, Ger
many and Russia have done. and that her
only concern Is to guard established AmeFi-
can interests in China.
These interests, however, are much great
er than is generally known. There are
twenty-five American treaty ports in
emma, VIZ Canton, Cheefoo, Chingkiang
Chi1gkins, Foochow. Haiplong, Hankow
Hollow, Icnang, Kewkiang, bungalow.
Shanghai. Ashashi. Soochow, Swallow, Ten
Tsin, Wenchown, Wuhu and three other
ports on the west river Of Canton, recently
added AT each of these places there are
reservation, within which Americans may
own property and have their civil and
criminal cases tried before their own
courts, conducted by American coIsuls.
American Settlements.
Some Of these American settlements are
quite extensive. that at Shanghai. Just out
side the walls of the city, occupying a wide
sweep of land.
At the points named the commercial in
terests of the United States are large and
are constantly growing. They are the CEN
tiers, also, for the American missionary
communities. For instance, at Canton,
there is the American Presbyterian board,
with twenty-five members; the American
Baptist mission, with fifteen representa-
tives; the American board of commission
ers for foreign missions, with a large staff
and the American Bible Society. There are
similar communities scattered all through
the empire. They have considerable vested
property interests, and tine protection of
their property and persons has always been
closely looked after by the United States.
1t Is in the protection Of these vast in
terests that the United States will concern
Itself in the present controversy. and while
they serve basis for Representations
that this government ought to adopt a
more aggressive policy and join with other
nations n the grab for Chinese SOIL there
10 not the slightest Indication of q radical
step in that direction.