The San Francisco call., 1898-02-05
Diplomats Pleased by the Statements Of the Mar
 quis Ito.
FRIENDSHIP FOR AMERICA
So Far Uncle Sam Sees No Reason for Interfering in the Controversy
 in the Far East.
Copyrighted 1898 by James Gordon Bennett.

YOKOHAMA, Feb 1.-The Japanese IoVernment is seriously considering te retention of Wei Hai Wei for an in- definite period, even after China pays the war indemnity. A. G. Buck, Unit ed states Minister, to-day presented Commodore Dewey and his staff to the Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Palace at Tokio. The flagship Olympia will go to Chinese waters next week.
 NEW YORK, Feb. 4.-The Herald's Washington correspondent sends the following: In diplomatic and other public circles the important interview with Marquis Ito, Prime Minister of Japan, printed in the Herald this morning, was read with the deepest interest. In general the impression created is that Japan does not pro- pose to stand idle and permit European powers to exclude her from trade in ports whose opening she made possible.
 AS a result of the interview there has been a renewal of the talk among pub lie men here about the possibility or joint action of some kind by the United States, Great Britain and Ja- pan in the Orient. While an alliance
 
 of the simultaneous declaration of each to the effect that all treaty rights must be respected in the opening of new ports is talked of. l was informed to- day that no astion had been taken by this Governtnent looking to interfer- ence in Chin&
 The President has been keeping in close touch with developments, but nothing has occurred which he conSid cred sufficiently injurious to the inter- ests of the American people to justify representations to any foreign Gov ernment. The administration authori- ties were Iarticularly pleased with Marquis 0statement that his Gov ernment will cultivate friendly rela- tions with the United States, and all feeling over the Hawaiian question has disappeared. Teh President has felt certain since an agreement was reached with Japan respecting the rights of Japanese citizens in Hawaii that there will be no further trouble with Japan regarding annexation, and it is felt that this belief is borne out.
 President Mckinley discussed the situation in China with the Cabinet soon after the occupation of Kiaochau Bay by Germany. It was then decided that no interference was necessary, as it was felt that the occupation of Chi nese ports by European Governments would, if such ports were made free, result in increasing the commerce of the United States. l was told to-day by an official of the State Department that Ambassador White has not con- firmed the report that Kiaochou is to be an open port, and there is some fear that Germany may make a discrimina- tory regulation. It is feared other Gov ernmentS also may make regulations harmful to American trade.
 Secretary Sherman is giving close at tention to this matter, and l was told he looks with favor upon the proposi- tion for the United States to request China to place ports at the disposal of this government. He was in confer ence to-day with Rear Admiral F. V. McNair, who has just returned from Asia. The latter talked to the Presi- dent few moments before seeing the Secretary Admiral McNair explained the report that the increase in the English squadron in Chinese waters is due to the great superiority of the Russian feet On one Russian ship alone, the Admiral Nachimoff, there are quartered more than thousand men, and while the British fleet might be superior in number of vessels 1t did not have the force of numbers Russia would have in case of trouble.
 At the Japanese legation the Her dlu lIleTNleW WlLn NdTQulS ItO WdS read with particular interest. Minister Hoshi, although he differs very radi- cally with Marquis Ito on many points. Is in almost complete accord with the Premier's statements. He will not pub- licly discuss the matter at this time, however. I learned from a high off, cial of the legation that Minister Hoshi is in favor of the extension of the na- val power of Japan, and believes it Is the duty of his government to lend it's aid to prevent any partition of the Chinese Empire by western powers. It is not, however, considered at the lega- tion that a crisis in the eastern situa- tion is imminent
 LONDON, Feb. 5.-The Shanghai cor respondent of the Times says: In com pliance with the request of Sir Robert Hart, director of Chinese Imperial Mar ltime Customs, the Tsung Li Yamen has appointed Mr. Robert Bredon as deputy inspector general of customs, With the proviso that the chief author lty must not be delegated.
 The Times, commenting editorially on the appointment of Robert Bredon as deputy inspector general of Chinese customs, says: It is a very satisfac- tory announcement For the present there is no danger of the customs ad- ministration being destroyed by the po- l1tlcal or commercial rivalry of foreign nations.