The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-28
THAT OPEN DOOR" POLICY.
CONGRESSIONAL. DEBATE To WAIT
ON PHILIPPINE PROBLEM.
Officials Relieve the
Phrase Has Been Completely Mis-
understood by Foreign Newspa-
pcrS ms Regards This Contine mt.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2I.-Admnistra-
ton officials do not expect that the So
called open door policy will take an I'M
portant part in the discussions or the com
ing session OF congress, but believe DEBATE
on this matter will wait on final disposition
of the Philippines. y prominent Official
today said:
..The phrase open door is OF limited APP
pI.cation and has been used only with ref
erence TO the possessions of European pow
ers on the east coast OF Asia Originating
in the treaty or open ports, OF CHINA and
Japan the words have been extended 10
cover ports which China has leased or sur
rendered 10 foreign powers. The phrase
means that in such ports alien government
has in fact imposed no Determinations in
tariff or navigation charges against imports
or vessels OF other countries. but has treat
ed them on the same plane as its own I'M
ports and its own vessels In other words
foreign powers holding China ports by seiz-
urS or treaty. have merely announced tnat
they will keep open such ports in the same
manner that China has opened certain Tree
ports TO the commerce of nations, without
discrimination or favor
The open door policy has been partlcu-
larly obligatory. as the reverse policy would
be in direct hostility 20 the purpose or CIV
ilized nations. steadily pursued for years,
and corcurred in by China, for opening the
Asatic trade to commerce.
THE phrase open door has no pertinence
10 the western hemisphere ana no Tele-
yancy 10 the West Indies. The matter has
been completely misunderstood by foreign
newspaperss giving the phrase an appiiea-
ton 10 this continent. The United states
restricts trade between American ports TO
American vessels precisely as the Doinin-
ion OF Canada restricts trade TO British yes
sells between Canadian ports. Under the
British law any nation which elects TO al
low British vessels to engage In Its coast
ing trade can obtain the privilege of enter
ing the coasting trade of Canada, The
United States has never awaited itself of
this opportunity holding that the privilege
10 be granted IL much more valuable than
the privilege to he obtained.
THE restriction OF trade between the
United States and Porto Rico to American
vessels is based on the policy which the
United States has always followed under
all administrations. a fact overlooked by
the European press There seems 10 be no
disposition mere to change this policy in
this hemisphere, from the mere fact that
by the possession OF the Philippines the
United States must determine whether X
VIII follow the open door policy OF other
nations with possessions by seizure or con-
cesslon on the east coast OF Asia. CONNER
cia,ly the restriction of the trade between
the J.ited States and Porto Rico Is OF
relatively little moment. the direct eoEi-
merce Is very small and is absorbed by
American ard Canadian vessels. That
value OF Porto Rico is as a fulcrum for the
development of American commerce In the
West Indies"