The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-05
OUR INTERESTS IN CHINA.
They Are at Present in a Wholly
Satisfactory Condition.


The United States has not been an in
different spectator of the extraordinary
events Transporting in the Chinese en-
pire, whereby portions of its maritime
provinces are passing under the control
of various European powers; but the
prospect that the vast commerce which
the energy of our citizens and the ne
cessity of our staple productions for
Chinese uses has built up in those re-
giOnS may not be prejudfced through
any exclusive treatment by the new
occupants has Obviated the need of our
country becoming an actor in the scene
Our position among nations having a
large Pacific coast and constantly
expanding direct trade with the farther
Orient, gives US the equitable claim TO
consideration and friendly treatment in
this regard, and it will be my aim to
subserve our large interests in that
quarter by all means appropriate to the
policy of our government.
The territories of KiaO Chow, Of Wei
Hai-Wei and of Port Arthur anC- Ia
Lien Wan, leased to Germany, Great
Britain and Russia, respectively Tor
terms of years viii, it is announced. be
opened to international commerce dur
ing such occupation; and if no dis
eliminating treatment Of American cit
liens and their trade be found to exist
or be hereafter developed. the desire Of
this government would appear to be
realized. In this relation, as showing
the volume and value of our exchanges
at China and peculiarly favorable con-
ditiOnS which exist for the expansion
IN the normal course OF trade L reIeT
to the communication addressed to the
speaker of the house of Representatives
by the secretary of treasury on the
18th of last June, with it's accompany
ing letter of the secretary of state, rec
Ommending an appropriation for com
mission to study the commercial and
industrial conditions in the Chinese EN-
Dire and report as to the opportunities
for and obstacles to the enlargement Of
markets in China for the raw products
and manufactures of the United States.
Action was taken thereon during the
late session I cordially urge that the
recommendation receive at your hands
the consideration which its importance
and timeliness merit.
Meanwhile, there may be just ground
for disquietude in view of the unrest
and revival Of the old sentiment Of op-
position and prejudice to alien people
phich perVades certain of the Chinese
provinces. AS in the case of the at
lacks upon our citizens in Sssechuan and
a Kuet in 1885. the United States min
lister has been instructed to secure the
fullest measure of protection both lo-
cal and imperial, for any menaceu
American interests and to demand
in case of laWless injury to persons or
property instant reparation appropriate
TO the case Warshfps have been sta
toned at Tien Tsin for more ready OBJ
servatiOn of the disorders which have
invaded even the Chinese capital. SO as
to be in a position to act, should need
arise, while a guard of marines has
been sent to Pekin to afford the minis
ter the same measure of authoritative
protection as the representatives Of
other nations have been constrained to
employ.
Following close upon the rendition o.
the award of my predecessor as arbi-
traitor of the claim of the Italian SUB
ject, CeTruu against the republic ot
Colombia differences arose between the
parties to the arbitration in regard 70
the scope and extension of the aWaruNoL
which certain articles were conteSlei
bv Colombia while Italy claimed tneiF
literal fuldllment. The award haNlhS
been made by the president OF the I'M
ted States as an act of friendly consul
Grafton and with the sole view 70 an
IMPARTIAL composition of the matter IN
DISPUTE. I could not but feel concern a
sI1ch a miscarriage and, while unable
to accent the Colombian theory that 1,
in nv official capacity, possessed con-
tin1Iing function as arbitrator with
Dovrer TO interprOvise the term OF
aT-ard my best efforts were lent to
bringing the parties to a harmonious
Agreement as to the execution Of its
A naval demonstration by Italy re-
smiled in an engagement to pay the la
biIities claimed upon their ascertain
nnant. but this apparent disposition Or
the controversy was followed by a rup-
t11re of diplomatic intercourse between
colombo and Italy, which still contln-
ues, although fortunately without acuIa