New-York tribune., 1899-03-25
ruF OPEN DOOR IN CHINA
.. LETTER FROM THE AMERICAN Asso-
C1ATION THERE

n
CITATION THERE
-, l-,o-l.s Rorcsford during his recent
.tts oitv addressed tho Aslauc Association
'" .so chamber OF Commerce he referred on
a.. OCCASIONS 20 the hospitality "hich had oeeh
nesod p, him IN the East hy the American As
.,..,or Of China and 70 me strong advocacy oy
~~a,iza-ion of the opeu-door policy In China
ina - =. ord charles Beresford's references 20
!" .,or the account OF its formation which
-, ,us- reached this city IS OF particular Interest
~ sse,ciation was organized on December To-
.sas -. Shanghai az a meeting Of a large number
:. American residents In emma VINO were caNeo
,o,o,be- hv a circular which said:
'svou are invited 10 attend preliminary meeting
~, .-,c~ioars az the Municipal Board room on
80. December Is at p m. FOR the purpose OF
...sI5o~sne the cxpedicncy Of forming an associa
, ,o be called THE American Association OF
,.,ra membership I'm which shall he confined 70
.-,,,r citizens residing in the Far East The
-,,s-v objects of the association 20 he the fur
.r.~ance OF American trade and other interests in
Ceina. and tho defence OF American rights. all
Americans 20 he eligible FOR membership"
The circular was signed by n provisional com
rr.ttee consisting of Frank p. Ball. ]. 5 Fearon.
8 Haskell. =. II. McNichael and :. I. Seaman.
Mr. Haskell presided over this meeting and after
,v,lajr.rg the advantages which would accrue to
,-,e~icans by banding themselves together for
.,.ua' interest and protection he proposed that
ssocati7n having for It's objects the purposes out
mad ~ che circular should be formed. Mr.. Fearon
,.-orded the motion. which was unanimously car
-.es Al O. subsequent meeting the organization was
con,r,o,ed by the adoption OF constitution and
.se election OF permanent officers. The officers
chosen were r. T. Haskell. president; !. :. Fearon.
,..-a-r-osdcnt. 7. Williams secretary: Frank =.
12an treasurer. and a ". Danforth. J. r Sea-
-~sr the Rev. w J. Bentley J. H. McMichael. the
Pew J. +. Hvkes r. ". Mustard and the Rev. +.
T. Hawks Pott. committee.
That the association intends 70 work along vigor-
cus and practical lines IS demonstrated in the fact
mat f. vae only few days old when. as the re-
sut OF q committee meeting letter was ordered 10
30 sent 20 the Aslatic Association Of New-Y ork.
REQUESTING that body take steps to point out 70
tho Administration that American trade with China
was very large and rapidly increasing. and that
this eac- should be taken into consideration in de-
jerrr;rne its policy in the Philippines. since.
should De decided TO close the door there 10 the
trade % other nations. the United States would
hardy be !r position 10 insist on an open door IN
China
J. f. Seaman. a brother OF Dr. L. /. Seaman OF
tbs c,y appointed to write the letter. part Of
which is follows
We -ead wi-h satisfaction the assurance IN ',i tne
President annual Message 20 Congress taat i VII
be his aim o. subserve our large interests In TINS
quarter oy al means appropriate TO- the conslant
view with equal content the statement that the
provinces ~ CHINA under foreign cohtroi WI, Z on
unue 10 be open 10 International commerSe durlns
al .
- IT, n ,e~ess,ve Powers
c-.-.e ~ ,,.r.l-iye n~,vles.s have been put for
,r.r~ ,TicE ~one hut he subjects Of certain Pow
e-s -1-, Cr.-ere vbe-ha- IA i.vcloDiue the cotn-
~. ~e.o,,~-ae or IN obtaining railway and other
neg. boring Power have heen Introduced ID large
numbers in northern dependency ostensoly 70
n-0fer- q railway IN course 90 construction under
eyrep-f0ra- -~.viiacos and Dvcry hing points 70
-1eIr af.or O~.1vafi0n OF q large territory per
7. b. t,,+ s+eu from claims of This nat
-os-~i..i,re l,,,9, o~5l mar. trade I'm these
~e,.er Snail emit the iutruders 20
ss.- -a-+,.l .o-,.s ~ seal -oclllations OF an
~ -~S i~ Ita', of ne moderate and equal
.i-.ef 80 .ra ~ sting treaties
r~-e favored nation clause IN the treaties between
Cr~ and civilized Powers !nsuros equal privileges
a. e- rna claims 10 v hi h We have acVeTted are
g. -.~a-- -o~ ~+ra1artf9r oF the -reatIes but China
-hs critical lr.~CfUre helpless either TO protect
T.~c..s ~ ~ ce-orivelv secure the observance OF
.-,..,. orl-.-tons II IS at this stage that
-,i,c .r-.~lsfs ave Te~ted before the threatened
49,. tr,.r-- shall have become un fait accOmpN.
- r~..sir and Iat,tr are I'm hearty accord with
-. .....e 81, t,,t.r,st and continent and q
'-- -4lfu ,.----,s ,rees,,ra for, nv our re-
..llru anu 80 ~ ain, ~ eot,ai rights
....~- , 5,e ,ep. rd for them
T}s,,r ernest advocates OF the policy of fair
- nv frade and no favor. or in other words.
a. ,--,e-.rr.4 on our treaty rights in China, We
cannot faY 20 take warm interest IN the seIlie-
a'..0' 80. .sl reia-,one win The Philippines as
.5.'.-,. r- .h of,r Government shall adopt there
--,s. ~ r.-l-si-v influence fits action ia respect
~ he stand &C. shall take IN emma We uust IN.
the n.nc.r- We advocate here ot me open yar GoGa
for ma. ontaL- i.ef .--7 1or,eva~ in ne case
Wo--o "5i. . u. 90 % -e ,-nc no new rights or