The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-11
The Far East and Continental Inter.
ference with England.

The visit paid to Kaiser WILHELM II.
by the Car has, naturally, revived the
rumors about combination Of Contin-
entail Powers for the purpose OF Sc
curing equivalents In other quarters Of the
globe for Great Britain's expected conquest
OF the Boer republics. We are still unable
to see any foundation for the reports. No
doubt both Russia and Franco would like
to take advantage Of the fact that large
part Of England's regular army seems
likely 10 be occupied in South Africa for
some time to come. At present, however,
they have no opportunity Of doing so; nor
will an opportunity be offered, So long as
Germany. the United States and Japan
maintain their present attitude.
It Is evident, from semi-offlcial declara-
tions made in Berlin. that whatever sympa-
thy may be expressed for the Beers in some
German newspapers, the German Govern
ment has determined not to be party to
any combination inimcal to British inter.
ests. The full extent OF the consideration
given for the assurance OF good will Ia not
yet known; it probably includes more than
the avowed concession In the matter OF
Samoa. Whatever the price the COM
modify was worth the purchase Assured
OF Germany's friendly neutrality, which
practically involves that Of the other men,
hers Of the Triple Alliance, Great Britain has
nothing to fear from France and Russia In
the Far East or elsewhere.
That the German Government means
TO cooperate with England and the
United States in upholdlng the policy
Of the "Open Door" in China is manifest
from the favorable reply made TO the
request Of our State Department for a
written agreement TO give American clti-
zens the same commercial privileges In
Kiao-Chou Bay and the adjoining district
as arc enjoyed by German subjects
Germany had already made declaration
to that effect, ms had Russia in the case OF
Talienwan; but such announcements may
he recalled at any hour, and OF course do
not have the binding force which attaches
to an international agreement
No response to our request has been re-
ceived ms yet from st. Petersburg although
II Ia earnestly desired. for the reason that
Russia IL believed to contemplate an early co.
cupation Of New Chwang, the terminus Of the
extension Of the railway from Tentsin now
in tho course 81 construction. Now Chwang
Ia the chief seaport ~ Manchuria. md ono
In which Americans Hre deeply Interested
because, Mt present. they control more OF
its foreign trade than do England and
Russia put together. Tho assurance that
our citizens will continue to possess in
Now Chwang the commercial rights secured
TO u ny our treaty with China Ought to rest
on sonnet ing more irrevocable than the
Cars proclamation. II the st. Petersburg
Government refuses tn enter into definite
covenant on the subject. as Germany has
signiflod willingness to do, our confidence
in the former Powers intention to keen It's
verbal promise for any great length Of time
naturally will be shaken
Even II Germany had not been won over
to the British side, the position taken by
our Stat" Department with regard to China
would have rendered 1t impossible for any
combination ~ the Continental Powers TO
seize the present occasion to injure Eng
land in the Far East. We have made known
to the st. Petersburg and Paris Govern.
ments that, in the absence of written agree.
ments to concede equal commercial rights
to American citizens In the Chinese sea-
ports already In Russian or French hands.
we should regard with disapproval any
further dismemberment OF the Celestial