The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-26
FOR CHINA
viii America and European
Powers Sign This Treaty?
Much Reticence About an Understanding by
Which "Spheres Of Political Influence
in China Are to Be D limited.

Copyright, 1899, by Associated Press
: london, Nov. 25.-As result of the
United States request to the powers for
assurances regarding the maintenance
Of the "open door" in China, the Asso-
ciated Press is able to say that nego-
to a more permanent and important In
ternational agreement than yet mooted.
Though the greatest official reticence is
observed at adj the capitals regarding
this secret movement, there is good
ground for believing that the negotia-
tons have reached a hopeful stage. Ac
cording to reports current here, in cOnse
quence of Russia and France failing TO
reply satisfactorily to Washington's re-
quest. the United States decided to take
up the Chinese question still more vigo-
rously The cooperation of Great Brit
ain to this end, it is asserted, was secur-
ed and upon the initiative of the Uni
Ted States, efforts were set ON foot
to secure not only assurances to the
United States but Il definite agreement
between the European powers them
selves. Such an understanding, to the
average European statesman, has long
seemed Utopian, yet, today, the Associa-
ted Press is informed on good authority
there are fair chances of Great Brit
ain, Russia, Germany and gapan, in con-
junction with the United States, becom-
ing slgnatories to treaty delimiting
the sphere of political influence in China
and determining their fiscal policy III
that quarter Of the globe, based on the
open door principle. Such is the
scope Of the negotiations. The pro-
jected arrangement may be retroactive
as regards territory, in other words, dis
tricts now controlled, for instance. by
RUSSIA, may change hands in return
for other privileges. France, APPEAR
emily, has exhibited the greatest OPPOSE
ton to this plan, so far, but assurances
have been received from Russia, and
her apparent willingness to enter into
an agreement with the United States
as the leading factor, has given rise
TO the belief that France is not neces-
sarily stumbling block, for if Russia
entered into the agreement, France, it
is asserted is almost bound to follow
or render herself powerless in the Far
East. 1t is understood that the United
States, Great Britain and Japan have
already arrived at a perfect understands
ing. Germany's decision was greatly in
nuenced by the Emperor, who has had
frequent conferences on this Far East
ern problem, while in England with
Mr.. Joseph ii. Choate, the United
States Ambassador. AT the Queens
banquet Mr.. Choate conversed at length
with the Emperor and it is said, chiefly
confined himself to the question of China.
II is scarcely probable that any Off
cial or semi-offcial reference will be
made TO this important under-current,
which progresses publicly under the
guise of merely giving assurances to the
United States, until it has assumed such
shape that no hitch is possible. In the
event Of the failure of the negotiations,
through the refusal of Russia or Ger
many, it is likely the world Will never
know how near the great powers came
to settling the greatest problem of
the century.