The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-31
Unanimity Necessary, However, Be-
fore the Agreement IL Binding on
the Assenting Governments.
GOLD PRODUCTION OF 1899
OVER SIX MILLIONS GREATER THAN
IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
Comparative Statement by Director
of the Mint Roberts-Army and
Navy Retirements.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3O-The negotia-
tions opened by Secretary Hay with the
great powers Of Europe and with Japan
towards securing common understanding
for continued open door policy through
out China have met with most gratifying
results. The State Department is unwilling
at present to make public the nature of
| the replies received, as this information will
be embodied in special message to Con-
gress. But in other quarters thoroughly
reliable and in g. position to have trust
worthy and accurate information, 1t is
| learned that favorable responses have been
| made by Great Britain, Germany, France,
Russia, the Russian communication coming
as late as yesterday, and Japan. There
! is no doubt, Ii is thought here, that Italy,
the remaining country addressed, will make
favorable answer, If, indeed, it has not
already done so. The position of Italy is
| felt to be assured by the favorable course
adopted by the other four great powers of
| Europe.
The Importance of this unanimous ver-
dict by all the first class powers of the
| world-Great Britain, Russia, Germany.
| France, Italy and Japan, in conjunction
| with the United States-can hardly be over
estimated. far as it relates to the future
Of China and the commerce of the world
| in that empire. The State Department is
| loath to discuss the far-reaching results
| to be secured when the agreement ad-
vances to the stage of formal consumma-
ton. for each favorable response Is con-
| ditioned on the favorable action CT all the
| other parties. so that in each case the
| negotiation may be regarded short of
| absolute finalty. But while the depart
| ment is silent, the details come from
sources believed to be fully conversant with
what |has occurred.
According to this information, the Brit
ish answer was the first to be submitted.
| and was exceptionally comprehensive and
explicit in yielding to every suggestion
made by the United States relative to
maintaining the freest entry to the ports
| Of China The British answer is said to
| emphasize the concurrence with the United
States by adopting word for word much
of the phraseology employed by Secretary
| Hay when he addressed his original note to
Great Britain and the other powers. The
wording is such as to make plain that
! the British government concurs for the
present and hereafter without limitation in
| a policy of free access to China.
Although much secrecy was observed In
| the transmission of the British answer, it's
general purport soon became known at the
| other European capitals. and there was not
| little irritation at what was regarded as
| a precipitate response. purposely designed
| to embarrass the continental powers by
showing Great Britain and the United
States acting in concert, while the rest or
the world held aloof But this situation
was made much more satisfactory to the
| continental powers by their determination
to act for themselves. Germany is said to
have been the next power to answer In the
| affirmative. According to the information
| already referred to, the German answer
| was rather more vague than the one which
had preceded it, but its general tendency
was favorable. the only conditions being
that any arrangement as to free access 10
| China should be universal and assented to
| by all Of the powers.
THE FRENCH ANSWER.
The French answer is understood to have
| come next, and the circumstances attend
| ing it were rather peculiar, and not in the
nature Of direct answer, although the re-
suit was regarded most satisfactory.
| Secretary Hays note had been forwarded
. Gen. Horace Porter. the United States
ambassador to France. who promptly
called upon NJ. Delcasse, minister Of for
| eign affairs in the French Cabinet. General
| Porter made known his mission. whereupon
| M. Delcasse showed the most sympathetic
| spirit, and stated that he had already made
| ample answer to just such a communica-
| ton. although at the time he had not in
| tended It as an answer to the American
note. This answer. NJ. Delcasse explained.
was given in a speech made by him on Nov.
"a in the French Chamber. The main point
of that speech, in it's reference to China.
was that France desired the most ample
| freedom Of commerce. NJ. Delcasse re-
| ferred General Porter to this speech. and
| told him that ii fully gave the assurance
which the United States desired. 1t is said
| that the meeting was gratifying on both
sides. and that the results were considered
| to be favorable acceptance from France.
| The Russian negotiations have proceeded
| less briskly. so that it seemed for time
| that Russia's attitude might not be favor
| able This was dissipated however. by the
Russian ambassador, Count Cassini, in the
course Of interviews with Secretary Hay.
On these occasions Count Cassini pointed
out that a hurried answer was by no
means the best evidence OF a favorable at
titude toward the American proposition.
but that Russia was proceeding with due
deliberation in order to arrive at some
solid ground for permanent understand
ing. The Russians were desirous OF weigh
ing the many incidental questions involved.
such as the effect Of the understanding on
! the territory known - "spheres Of innu-