The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-26

Copyright. 1899. by the AssocfAted Press.
- oNDoN. Nov. S--As a result OF tho
United States request 10 the pow
ers for assurance regarding the
maintenance OF the "opcn door in
China. the Associated Press Is able
to say that negotiations have been entered
into looking to more permanent and i'm
portant international agreement than yet
mooted. Though the greatest Official ret
icence Is observed al all the capitals re-
garding the secret movement. there is good
cause for believing that negotiations have
reached q hopeful state. According to re-
ports current here Ia consequence of Rus
sia and France falling to reply satisfacter-
lily to washington's request. the United
States decided TO take up the Chinese ques-
tion s,ill more vigorously.
The cooperation Of Great Britain 20 this
end. II Is asserted. was secured and II Is said
upon the initiative Of the United States
efforts were set on foet to secure not only
assurances to the Unteid States, but a def
mite agreement between the European pow
ers themselves. Such an understanding, to
the average European statesman, has long
seemed u;opian. get today. the Associated
Press 10 informed on good authority, there
are fair chances OF Great Britain. Russia,
Germany and Japan in conjunction with the
United States becoming signatories to a
treaty deiimitating the spheres OF political
influence In China and determining their
fiscal policy IN that quarter Of the globe
based on the 'open door, principle. Such
10 the scope OF the negotiations The pro-
jected arrangement may be retroactive az
regards territory: in other words districts
now controlled. for instance may change
han6s in return for other privileges France
apparently has exhibited the greatest on
position TO this plan. 50 far. but assurances
have been received from Russia, and her
apparent willingness 10 enter into an ar
ranxenent with the United States as the
leading factor has given rise 10 the belief
that France is not necessarily a stumbling
block. for II Russia entered into the axree.
ment. France. II In asserted. IL almas,
bound to follow or render herself power,ea.
In the Far East. II is understood that ,ha
United States, Great britain and Japan
have already arrived at n perfect upaar.
standing
Germany's decision was greatly ,nr,.
eneed by the emperor. who had frsousn,
while In England with Mr.. Joserh ~
choafe. United States ambassador At the
queens banquet Mr.. choate converted at
length with the emperor, and II II said
chiefly confined himself TO the question .f
China II is scarcely probable that any
Official or semi-official reference WIN he
made to this important undercurren,. which
progresses publicly under the gusse OF
merely giving assurances to the United
States. until II has assumed such shane
that no hitch II possible. In the event %
tho failure OF me negotiations. through tho
sefusai al Russia or Germany. Il - likely
the world VIII never know how near the
great powers came 70 settling the greatest
problem Of the century.
Tho Transvaai war becomes a matter u
nnagnensary interest. compared with the
tremendous possibilities dependent on these
exerticns whleh are now occupying the
eiElomats % Europe, and the war Itself
hns reached a stage where even British
'nterss. sauas v hat hags. The advance cf
She troops te the relief OF Kimberley.
Ladysrnj,h and Mafeking is necessarily
olathed IN secrecy. which Ia only broken
~ the nsss o. dexu!tory engagements.
The past week seems 20 have altered hu.
Eittis ttse conditions described In these dis
nstrhes Lsen IL Cen. White holds out
antm relieved. II VIII only remove pic-
raresGne phase os the campaign. and does
rot mean tha. II wiFl hasten It's speedy
ens Thr raefs. # "a claimed. are not ike
" 20 risk the dsciasng batsle az the war
unfit they have got Gen. Buffers invading
force into a position believed 70 he favor
ahle 20 them OF nnslT they are driven into
n carner. which promises TO bs a matter
% rnanfhs
The criticism of the nsthods ~ The Brit
i'm army orRsaizataon has ted several writ
srs 20 saa!r seriously consider the adYis-
ability - adopting sosnA form ~ eonserip-
sfan. ht.t although preponaeranes ~ sSsii-
s,ary experts might fagor sucss step. she
Prf;lsh nation nss ncs yet reached tbat
sfags where {, could submit 10 such mii.-
ssri<sr
wireless tsisgraphy, 1areonrs system.
has finally been Introduced into TIE nary
q. a branch ~ndy Tsas old hulk Hector.
lytng q. Portsmouth, has been fitted cut.
- a schooi % instructions ard signals from
h~~ WIN b@ s,,aesses 20 the hasiisship Cam
opus. which soes 20 The Mediterranean in
Dse~nbsr. taxing war instruments az part
n her regular equipment She wssi he thu
arss isassI~rfsp 20 Do this.
yn LETTER received a. has home. written
on the evening Of she hattie OF Eianas
laaSte. the sxteen-year-old srumpesee
shurioea. of The y1fsA Royai friA IAnea1h