Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-11-27
"oPEN DOOR, POLICY DISCUSSED IN
WASHINGTON.
CHINESE MINISTER IS WRoTH
HE LIkENs 1T TO CASE OF HOUSE.
BREAKING.
1t II Not Believed That Anything in
the Shape of Formal Treaty VIII
BE Ratified by Americans
in Chinese Partition
Influence Defined.

AuuuenCe Oeune0.
WASHINGTON, Nov. AIN official and
diplomatic quarters much interest was
to-day in the plan put forward
In London cables of a. treaty among the
great powers defining spheres of influence
IN China. That anything in the shape of a
formal treaty is to be made between the
powers interested in the future of China
as the outcome of the negotiations now in
Is not believed here, though an
Of a less formal nature is
possible These negotiations following the
frank request of Secretary Hay upon some
OF the governments which had already
given him verhaland informal assurances
OF the continuation of all cur treaty rights
In Chinese territory to have these agree
ments reduced to form. 1t was not regard
ed as necessary to so beyond that point,
and although it frequently happens as the
result of initiating negotiations that the
scope of them is broadened far beyond any
thing originally in contemplation, it is be-
heved that such will not be the case now
and that there will be no necessity for a
general and formal treaty. 1t would be
extremely difficult to frame any such con-
Eention so as to secure the approval of the
United States without a protracted strug-
gle, that might disclose disaSreeable weak
nesses in the governments policies, and
besides the effort would be sure to arouse
opposition from the considerable element
IN the United States which is unalterably
opposed to any sort OF foreign entangle-
ments. OF course, this statement applies
only to the United States and there could
be no objection on our part to the other
powers joining in a treaty covering for
eign rights in China. provided there was
nothing in the agreement obnoxious to our
Just and proper claims. On the whole,
having in view the highly satisfactory ut
terances In the French chambers yeSter-
day Of NJ Delcasse. the French minister of
foreign affairs. respecting the maintenance
of the open door, in China, there is felt
in official quarters to be reason for ex-
pectins a successful outcome of the nego-
tiations on this subject opened by the
United States. -
At some of the foreign establishments the
proposition was considered a "feeler'' re-
Sulting from the recent inquiries made by
the American government as to the atti-
tude of the great powers. Other influential
members of the diplomatic corps pointed
out that the plan was the logical consum-
nation OF the scheme initiated between
Russia and Great Britain, where the
spheres of influence would be defined. The
Chinese legation views the proposition as
purely conjectural, and the Chinese min
lister, Mr.. Wu Ting Fang. when his atten-
tion was directed to the matter regarded it
as preposterous.
This is about the most refreshing sug-
gestion We have had of late" remarked
Mr. Wu. What, can it be serious they
proposed that a document shall be for
mally drawn up concerning interests in
China, and China shall not be a party to
it? 1t cannot have escaped attention that
China is a sovereign nation, and when 1t
comes to writing treaties concerning her
interests and territory this sovereign ma
ton is quite likely to have considerable
to say on the subject. l hardly think any
of the great self-respecting powers would
give countenance to plan such as IS out
lined. 1t is as though party of your
neighbors met and agreed how they would
occupy your house. One would take the
front door. another would select the side
door. others would appropriate certain
rooms. And all this without consulting
you, the owner of the house. Such a
course by individuals would seem strange,
indeed, and it would amount to the same
thing among nations. OF course all things
are possible, and it is difficult to say how
far plan, once entered upon. may pro-
ceed. While the individual may be quite
secure in his residence, it is. of course
always within the bounds of possibility
that band OF robbers may arrange to en-.
ter the house and carry away the belong
ings. For that reason it is the part OF
wisdom for the Individual to be on ths
af,St p,,t
to be supposed that a nation stands in any
such danger, as the great nations would
not countenance such a course. So that
the suggestions of a treaty OF this char.
acter appear to me to be entirely Wis
ionary.'
At one of the embassies it was pointed
out that the United States Was hardly
likely to become party TO a treaty de-
fnins the spheres of influence of other
powers, while at the same time no sphere
OF American influence was defined, and VI
to the present time it has been definitely
seek any sphere of influence, but merely
untrammeled entrance to all Chinese ports
AS to the other powers. the view pre-
vailed that they would be quite likely tc
favor such a comprehensive treaty as ths
one outlined in the London advfces. as il
carried forward the arrangement between
Great Britain and Russia Russia by which which tn. Z,
| the Yang Use valley, and Russia directed
her activities to Northeast China Since
returning from abroad the German am
| bassador, Dr. Won Hollebenk. has stated
that the German policy IN Kiao-Chau wa:
| distinctly that of the open door," ant
\ Count Cassini. the Russian ambassador
| has stated the same policy as to the Rus
| sian port of Ta-Lien-Wan. The British
| position favorable to open ports Is vel
| known, and since Lord Pauncefotes retur,
| occasion has been taken to reiterate it
| Beyond this, however, there has beel
| nothing from any of the foreign repre-
sentatives concerning the future of China
and without exception, the representative
| of powers having interests in China stat'
| positively that no instructions have beei
received as to treating with reference Il
| China This applies also to the Japanes'
! minister and the French charge d'affaires
| who, while they have made inquiries OF tn
| state department as to the basis for cur
| rent reports. have no Instructions to &C
| respecting China.
NERVOUS LONDON MARKET.
|