The San Francisco call., 1899-12-31
Favorable Replies TO the
American Note.
GREAT POWERS ALL IN LINE
UNRESTRICTED COMMERCE. IN
THE ORIENT.
Great Britain, Russia, France, Ger.
many and Japan Agree to the
Terms Of the United
States.
- Dlspa.eh . rhe call.

WASHINGTON. Dec. S0-The nesotia-
tions opened by Secretary Hay with the
great powers of Europe and Japan toward
obtaining common understanding fO- a
continued open door" policy throughout
China nave met with gratifying results
The State Department is unwilling at
present 10 make public the nature OF the
replies received as this information will
be embodied in a special message to Con-
gress. but In other quarters. thoroughly
reliable and in a position TO have trust
worthy and accurate information, II is
learned that favorable responses have
bcen made by Great Britain, Germany
France. Russia (the Russian communica-
ton coming as late as yesterday and
Japan. There is no doubt. IL is thought
here. that Italy, the remaining country
addressed Will make a favorable answer,
II IL has not already done so. The position
OF Italy is felt 20 be assured by the Ia
vora0le course adopted by the four other
great powers OF Europe.
The Importance OF this unanimous YER
diet by al the nrst-class powers OF the
world-Groat Britain. Russia. Germany.
France Italy and Japan. in conjunction
with the United States-can hardly he
overcsumated, SO far as il relates TO the
future of China and the commerce Of the
world in that empire.
submitted, and was exceptionally compre-
hcns.kc and explicit Ia yielding 10 every
SuEE trtOn made by the United States rel
auNo 10 maintaining the freest entry 10
the ports ~ China The British answer Is
said 20 emphasize the concurrence with
The United States by adopting word for
woro much OF the phraseoiogy employed
by Secretary Hay when he addressed his
original note 10 Great Britain and the
other powers. The wording is such as 10
make plain that the British Government
concurs. for the present and hereafter,
without limitation, In a poncy OF free ac-
cess 10 China.
Although much secrecy was observed in
the transmission OF the British answer,
its general purport soon became known 10
The other European capitals, and there
was not d Ntue Irritation al what was re-
garded al precipitate response, purpose
~ designed 10 embarrass the continental
powers by showing Great Britain and the
United states acting IN concert, while the
rest OF the world held aloof. But the stu
alton was made much more satisfactory
10 the continental powers by their deter
minatiOn TO act for themselves. Germany
Is said 10 have been the next power 10 an
swer IN the affirmative. According TO the
information already referred 10. the Ger
man answer was rather more vague than
the one which had preceded H. but its gen
cral tendency was favorable. the only con-
dition being that any arrangement as 10
free access to China should De universal
and assented 10 by ali OK the powers.
The French answer Is understood TO
have come next. and the circumstances
attending IL We're rather peculiar and IL
was not In the nature OF a direct answer,
although the result was regarded as
most satisfactory. Secretary Hays note
had been forwarded 10 General Horace
Porter. the United States ambassador TO
France. who promptly called upon NJ
DclCasse, Minister OF Foreign Affairs
Ia the French Cabinet. General Porter
made known his mission, whereupon NJ
Delcasse showed the most sympathetic
spirit and stated that he had already
sIn rHIe yer 80
municati0n. although at the time he had
not intended IL as an answer 10 the Amer
ican note.
This answer, NJ. Delcasse explained.
was given in a speech made by him on
November "a in the French Chamber. The
main point OF that speech, in its reference
most ample freedom OF commerce. NJ. Del
casse referred General Porter 10 this
speech and told him that IL fully gave the
assurance which the United States de-
sired. IL Is said that the meeting was
gratifying on both sides and that the re-
suits were considered 10 be a favorable
acceptance from France.
The Russian negotiations have proceed
ed less briskly, so that IL seemed for a
time that Russia's attitude might not be
favorable. This was dissipated. however,
by the Russian Embassador Count Cas-
sini. In the course OF interviews with See-
retary Hay. on these occasions Count
Cassini pointed out that hurried answer
was by no means the best evidence Of a
AaNoid atAlult Aohd4l the american
proposition. but that Russia was proceed
Ing with due deliberation In order 10 ar
rive at some solid ground for a perma-
nent understanding. The Russians were
oesirous OF weighing the many Incidental
questions involved. such as the effect Of
the understanding on the territory known
as spheres Of influence" as well as on
the territory actually leased TO the for
eign powers. such as Talienwan. Kiao-
chau and. the British ana. French ports
Besides giving these assurances Count
Cassini showed personally the most
friendly spirit toward the American
proposition, as well as being desirous OF
giving an answer in this case, which
would be another instance Of the friendly
cooperation long observed between Rus
STA and the United States. The Russian